Marshall County Sheriff Bill Helms will run for re-election in 2024 so he can continue preparing the department for future challenges.
Not only has Helms concentrated on fighting crime in Marshall County during the first three years in the position, but the sheriff has worked with the county’s commissioners to increase the annual compensation for deputy sheriffs. He announced last week that the Marshall County Commission has granted his request to increase the salaries from $52,000 to $56,000, plus full benefits and pensions for those who serve the county for 20 years or more.
“I cannot say enough good about our three Marshall County commissioners. They have recognized the need for well trained, well-equipped, and well-paid law enforcement for the people of Marshall County, and they do what is within their power to make sure that’s what we have,” Helms said. “They step up every time.
“Equipment-wise, we lack for nothing at the sheriff’s office and that’s because those three gentlemen want our residents to be as safe as possible,” he said. “We are a very rural county with just a few municipalities in it with police departments that do what they can do. But it’s also not unusual for those departments to reach out to us for help, and when they do, we are there with everything we have at our disposal to help as much as possible.”
Helms followed Kevin Cecil and current county commissioner John Gruzinskas in the sheriff’s position, both of whom served two terms before retiring. Following a number of retirements, Helms was faced with seven deputy openings but has worked hard to fill those slots. The latest civil service exam, in fact, has supplied enough qualified candidates to accomplish his goal.
“My record absolutely speaks for itself and because of everything our department has worked on so hard for the past three years, I’d decided I want to keep going,” Helms said. “So, yes, I’ve decided to run for a second term as sheriff of Marshall County so I can continue working with our commissioners and our deputies to bring our office to where it needs to be at this time.
“Being the sheriff of Marshall County and protecting these people is extremely satisfying for me because, to me, it’s about taking care of everyone, and that includes the people who need to be transported to a place where they can get the help they need,” he explained. “Plus, I work with the best bunch of people I’ve ever worked with in my career, and that’s just something I hope to keep doing.”
Why, Oh Why?
During his tenure as sheriff and chief deputy under Cecil before that, Helms has handled issues like the traffic connected to the oil and gas industries, with a dramatic increase of mental health transports, and the need for updated technology so he and his deputies can confront crime with new, safer methods.
A new drone, for example, had a $36,000 price tag when he presented the need to the Marshall County Commission, and thanks to his presentation, the three members quickly approved the acquisition.
“Sure, it was a pricey purchase, but we used that drone for so many different purposes already that it’s already earned its worth,” Helms explained. “That’s why I tell everyone how lucky we are to have the commissioners we have because there are better ways to fight the crimes that are taking place, and that understand that.
“When you know you have the support you need to do the job the taxpayers are paying you to do, of course, you want to keep doing it. That’s where I am right now,” he said. “I absolutely want to protect and serve the people of Marshall County for another four-year term.”
Now, Helms admits, there are those days when his frustrations boil.
“I think everyone has those moments at their places of employment, and yes, I do, too,” the sheriff said. “There are times when we have to make a decision that really is the lesser of two evils, and I know there is going to be a high level of scrutiny when it comes to those decisions. I do not have a problem with that at all.
“I work for the people. I tell people in Marshall County all of the time that I work for them. I know where my pay comes from,” he said. “But when you have to make those tough decisions, you think about it because you know how many people are counting on you every day.”
So, why another four years? For Helms, it’s a no-brainer.
“Being the sheriff of Marshall County is the hardest, and the best job I’ve ever had,” Helms said. “In this profession, everything has to be right all of the time because we’re dealing with life and death on a daily basis. But that’s OK with me because it means the people of this county are safe.
“That’s the goal of anyone in this position,” he insisted. “And that’s exactly my goal every single I come to work because that’s why the voters put me in this position in the first place.”
