Dougherty Announces for Prowers County Sheriff

David Dougherty

To my fellow citizens of Prowers County, I, David W. Dougherty would like to announce my candidacy for the Office of Prowers County Sheriff. If you choose to elect me as your next Prowers County Sheriff, I am ready and willing to roll up my sleeves and put all of my work ethics, training and skills into being the best Sheriff for you I can possibly be. I have 34 years of law enforcement experience, which includes patrol, field training new officers, administrative, budgeting, personnel and grant writing. I feel I have a lot to offer to the Office and Prowers County.

I am a Prowers County native, born and raised in Lamar, Colorado and have resided here all of my life. I believe our County is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. I have always, and will continue to, contribute to the community in any positive way I can to make this an even better place to live. I am thankful and proud to be an American.

I attended grade school through high school in Lamar, graduating in 1975. I was raised to work for a living and began working when I was 14 at the El Rancho Café as a dishwasher and as a breakfast cook with El Mar Restaurant until I was 18. From my earnings I purchased my first rental house. I was employed with Prowers Medical Center in housekeeping from age 18 to 19. I then started with Cross Manufacturing and then G.W. Machine Shop as a machinist.

In 1979 while continuing to work at Cross Manufacturing as a shift supervisor, I became a Reserve Officer with the Lamar Police Department. In March of 1984 I was hired as a full-time Patrol Officer with Lamar. It was during that time that I attended the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy (CLETA) and received my Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification. In April of 1988, I was promoted to Corporal and in September of 1988, I was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. In 2006 I held the position of interim Chief of Police for approximately 1 ½ years until Chief Phillips was hired. I then remained as Captain until my resignation in October 2008. In November that year I became the Chief of Police in Granada, Colorado. During my 5 years in Granada my staff and I applied for, received and managed several grants for the Town of Granada that were for well over half a million dollars. I am currently a member of Senate Bill 94, which focuses on proactive ways to prevent youth from delinquency and to rehabilitate them opposed to incarceration; and the Adult Protection Team that protects and aids the elderly.

I believe in treating everyone with respect, dignity and equality while upholding the law. A peace officer is never truly “off duty”. I follow this same philosophy in my personal life as well. I will do my best to be available to the citizens of Prowers County as much as possible with an “open door” policy. I believe in working as a team. If elected Sheriff, I will not only work and cooperate with my staff but other agencies, businesses, professionals and the citizens of our great county as well. I believe we all have something to contribute and it is good to continue to learn and grow with one another. I plan to hold quarterly public meetings where Prowers County citizens, businesses and agencies can come together to discuss issues, concerns and progress. During this time, I will also update the public on what the Sheriff’s Office has been working on.

The Lamar Police Department is capable of handling most police matters within the City of Lamar, with their 20 plus officers. The Sheriff’s Office of course, will always assist the Lamar Police Department in any way necessary when needed or required. However, I will concentrate my efforts toward more coverage of the rest of Prowers County, its small towns and rural areas. Bristol, Granada, Hartman, Holly, Lamar and Wiley are all part of Prowers County as well as the rural farms and ranches. There will be deputies on patrol at all hours in all areas whenever feasible. If possible, I will have a deputy residing in or near each and every community.

I would also like to establish a Prowers County Youth Initiative. This will be a program to deter delinquency, violence and substance use among the youth. We will partner with schools, businesses, youth oriented non-profits, interested citizens, various law enforcement and health professionals to create educational, mentoring and civic service programs to involve and inspire the county’s younger members. This would possibly include a mentoring segment. I believe many of our senior citizens would make great mentors and be willing to volunteer to guide our children towards a brighter future. Funding will always be an issue and I plan to investigate and pursue grants, fundraisers and various avenues to make this a reality.

I became a Law Enforcement Officer to help people. It is my joy and mission to continue to work for and with the citizens of Prowers County. Talk to me, I will listen. If you choose me as YOUR Sheriff, I will not only serve and protect, but aid and respect all in every way I can while upholding the law, dignity, equality and rights of “We the People”. I offer you my experience, dedication, equal treatment for all, courtesy and professionalism. That is what you deserve and will receive from me as Sheriff.

Your support and votes in the 2014 Sheriff Election will be greatly appreciated. Let’s work together for Prowers County and our grand America.

Thank you.

David W. Dougherty
West Elm Street
Lamar, CO