Published: June 16, 2008 03:19 pm      

Christian throws hat into sheriff’s race

Ada — Life-long Ada resident John Christian is in the running for the office of the Pontotoc County Sheriff. Christian will face off against incumbent Sheriff Pete Peterson in the primary elections scheduled for July 29. Since both men are running as Democrats, the winner of the primary election will be named Sheriff of Pontotoc County.

Christian was born and raised in Ada. He graduated from high school in 1974. “I was a member of the Byng Fire Department from 1976 to 1991,” said Christian. “I served as fire chief for nine of those years. I was also on the town council as a trustee for the town of Byng from 1981 until 1991.”

In March of 1986, Christian began his long employment with the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office when he was hired as a jailer. Soon after he completed jailer certification school. Christian became a full-time deputy sheriff with the county in November of the same year. In 1995, Christian became undersheriff, a post he held until 2005, when Peterson took office.

“I left the sheriff’s office in 2005 when Sheriff Peterson took office,” said Christian. “Sheriff Peterson selected Joe Glover to be his undersheriff. I understood this decision and accepted it as an opportunity to gain new perspective about my law enforcement career.” After leaving the sheriff’s office, he took a position as compliance officer with the Pontotoc County Drug Court, a position he still holds today.

“As undersheriff I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the daily operations of the Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “I wrote grants and received funding for new communication equipment for all deputies, the jail, and the Sheriff’s Office. We also received grant funding for new patrol vehicles, generator equipment for the radio repeater tower, and funding for new computers for the entire office.”

Christian also found a novel way to turn lemons into lemonade. While undersheriff, he saw to it that new firearms for all deputies were purchased through drug forfeiture money.

“I care about the citizens of Pontotoc County and I will be dedicated to serving as well as listening to the concerns and problems of all citizens within the county,” said Christian. “I’ve got children and grandchildren that live in Pontotoc County, and I want to take part in providing a safe environment for them and for everyone in the county.

“If elected, I will be available as sheriff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. My home telephone number is listed in the Ada telephone directory, and has been for 33 years. And it will remain listed, so that any citizen can contact me personally when they need to.”

Christian said that if elected he would make certain that all reports made to the Sheriff’s Office would be handled in a timely manner and followed through to the best possible conclusion. “I will have an open door policy and will comply fully with the Open Records Act,” he said. “I will make sure that all legal process issued to the Sheriff’s Office are served in a timely manner.”

Christian said his years of service with the county and with law enforcement has helped to create a strong working relationship with both. “I look forward to continuing these relationships if elected,” he said. “I believe my record proves I have the experience and knowledge necessary to be Sheriff and operate the Sheriff’s Office and jail.”