He believes his 31-year career in law enforcement was his destiny, but now Nelson Croft intends to fulfill his dream of becoming the next Sheriff of Ohio County.
Croft, a retired sheriff’s deputy with 31.5 years of experience, announced his Republican candidacy on River Talk – Ohio Valley Thursday afternoon. Currently, the manager of the Ohio County Animal Shelter, Croft followed his father, Harry, into the law enforcement field.
“When I was interviewed for the shelter’s manager’s job I did make it clear to the county that they would have me for three years because that’s when I plan to retire, and I made sure they were OK with that,” Croft said. “I think everyone is well aware of the plan that’s talked about for the past 10 years.
“That plan is to run for Sheriff of Ohio County,” he revealed publicly Thursday on River Talk – Ohio Valley. “I did file pre-candidacy papers when that was possible, and, as of now, I do not know if I will have an opponent. I’m sure there are others who want the job, and that’s why the people select who they want.”
Croft began his career in 1990 at the age of 19, and he served under five county sheriffs. He retired from the office so he could file the pre-candidacy to run for sheriff. Ohio County’s current sheriff, Tom Howard, retired from the Wheeling Police Department in 2015 after 21 years. His second and final term in office concludes at the end of 2024.
“I’ve learned some positive from each of the sheriffs during my career, so with the good and the bad I’ve experienced, I believe I could bring with me some very positive changes,” Croft explained. “And I truly believe being the Sheriff of Ohio County is in my future, and I can’t wait.
“There will only be positivity with my campaign and absolutely no mudslinging,” he pledged. “A person told me once that a light doesn’t seek out darkness, the light seeks more light, and that’s the way we’re going to keep it.”
Learn By Example
He retired from the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office on February 13, 2022, and he began his service as the manager of the animal shelter the very next day.
“I’ve always loved animals so I love going to the shelter every day to do what I do, but I did have to learn not to be intimidated by pit bills. Our Dog Warden Wendy Neubauer had to teach me to be calm around them, and that’s made all the difference in the world,” Croft explained. “But when I first went to the shelter, everyone was on pins and needles because they thought I was going to be tough on them.
“They learned quick that it wasn’t the case, and we all have a great job doing what we do,” he said. “I hope to do the same as the next sheriff.”
Croft learned a valuable lesson from the late Tom Burgoyne, a retired special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and sheriff of Ohio County from 2000-2008.
“One thing that I really liked that Tom did when he was the Sheriff of Ohio County for eight years was meet with every single deputy in his office and first, he would ask each one of us how things were going only after asking how our families were,” Croft recalled. “Once he knew everything with your family was alright, that’s when he wanted to know what your goals were at the time.
“One time during that conversation, I told him that I want to be setting in your chair one day,” he said. “He told me to go for it because I should shoot for the stars. Tom always wanted everyone to be better and better, and I really appreciated those talks with him. Again, I hope to do the same on that level.”
