Sheriff seeks reelection

Randy Mitchell Staff Writer

Ada June 04, 2008 05:43 pm

— Pontotoc County Sheriff J.M. “Pete” Peterson has announced he will seek reelection to a second term.
Peterson has served in various positions with state, county, municipal and military police agencies. Prior to being elected sheriff in 2004, Peterson was an Oklahoma state trooper for 23 years. He is a 1967 graduate of Sallisaw High School and attended Northeastern State, Connor State College and the University of Alabama.
He is a retired senior NCO of the Oklahoma Army National Guard and combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm as well as a CLEET certified police instructor and a school DARE officer.
Peterson married his wife, Gela, Aug. 21, 1982, in Fittstown. Both were OHP troopers at the time and became the first ever OHP troopers to marry each other. They currently reside in Byng and have two daughters, Kristen, 22, and Katlin, 16.
“My two main goals for a second term will be overseeing the completion of the new county jail which is currently under construction and the transition into a new sheriff’s office building that will be located across the street from the district courthouse,” Peterson said.
Peterson said he has been a good steward of taxpayer money. His office recently furnished new handguns and patrol rifles to each deputy funded mainly through drug seizures and civil forfeitures. New Tazer weapons and a mobile command trailer were also obtained from community and business donations.
Peterson said his office works extremely well with all surrounding law enforcement agencies. He has entered into several cross-commission agreements with local departments to help ensure the public safety of area citizens. His office helped sponsor a CLEET reserve school which has allowed him to more than double the size of the PCSO reserve force deputies.
“We maintain an open door policy to the public and I fully support the Oklahoma Open Records Act,” Peterson said. I believe in keeping a positive relationship with the area news media in order to keep citizens better informed and to help promote public safety.”
Peterson currently serves as the Southeast Region Sheriff’s Association president and is on the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors. Peterson said he believes in continuing education and training for his deputies. Every year he has sent at least one deputy to the CLEET criminal investigation academy and he was able to secure a slot for his Undersheriff to attend the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
“I am very grateful to have an outstanding group of loyal and dedicated hard working employees,” Peterson said. During my first term in office I have experienced many ups and downs, some heartache and occasionally a little frustration, but overall I have thoroughly enjoyed my time serving as sheriff and I look forward to continued service to the citizens of Pontotoc County.”

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