Introducing Steve Johnson as Candidate For Sheriff
In the interest of educating the public on upcoming campaigns, but also with an eye toward maintaining the Shinnston News and Harrison County Journal’s tradition of political objectivity, we allow a one time submission by any candidate for office in 2024 of a letter and a photograph. If you are a candidate and wish to have your letter printed, please submit to Shinnstonnewsandjournal@gmail.com
My name is Steve Johnson and I am running as a Republican for Sheriff of Harrison County. I served 31 years with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office starting in 1990 were I was hired under the late Sheriff Trupo. Under Sheriff Godwin, I was assigned to both the Investigations Division for 4 years then to the D.A.R.E. Program for 4 years. I taught D.A.R.E. in many of the grade schools throughout the county. I also investigated and was made an expert in child and adult sexual assault and abuse crimes. Under Sheriff Jack, I was promoted to Sergeant then later to Lieutenant in charge of a patrol shift. Under Sheriff Marano, I was appointed as Chief Deputy for 8 years. During that time, I was assigned to oversee the entire patrol unit for the Sheriff’s Office. I worked closely with personnel in the tax division and the civil process division. Under the current Sheriff Matheny, I was the 1st Southern District Commander for the Sheriff’s Office. I was responsible for the daily needs and concerns of the citizens of the community in the southern areas of Harrison County, and was stationed in West Milford. I was the supervisor for the K-9 Unit for the Sheriff’s Office after eagerly becoming the Sheriff’s Office 1st Explosive Detection K-9 handler where my partner was K-9 Lotta.
If elected as your next Sheriff, my goal is to continue the fight against the drug epidemic that plagues our county. I plan to do this by staffing the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force and the Mountain State Highway Interdiction Team with proactive deputies that are motivated to stop the movement of illegal illicit drugs coming into Harrison County. I would also expand the K-9 division within the Sheriff’s Office, as K-9 units are an asset in detection and location of illegal illicit drugs. I plan to work closely with all federal, state, and local officials in the municipalities within Harrison County. I want to bring back teamwork and unity to the Sheriff’s Office, as I know this is essential to community safety. The safety of the children in Harrison County is very important to me and the deputies that are assigned as school resource officers do a fantastic job. I plan to continue to staff deputies as school resource officers in partnership with the Harrison County Board of Education to continue to keep the children in Harrison County safe while in schools.
As your Sheriff, I have the knowledge and experience to move the Sheriff’s Office in a positive direction. I pride myself on my honesty and integrity and I will work hard for the citizens of Harrison County. I will be able to start serving as your Sheriff immediately from day 1 with my familiarity of the daily operations of the administrative parts of the Sheriff’s Office. With my 31 years of experience. My goal is to make HARRISON COUTNY EVEN BETTER.