Tom Williams thinks his role as Allen County Sheriff will help bring a higher level of expertise to the Allen County Commission.
Williams filed to run for position No. 2 on the county commission on Monday. He is completing his second four-year term as sheriff.
His filing enlarged the field to three. Rob Francis, first-term incumbent, and Gordon Conger, a former commissioner, filed earlier.
“Leadership and professionalism are two attributes that I think I have had as sheriff,” Williams said.
He took to heart the management aspect of being sheriff from the start, delegating many day-to-day duties to deputies, and working more with supervision of the sheriff’s office, as well as corrections and emergency management.
“One thing I wanted to accomplish (as sheriff) was to give each employee a sense of professionalism, while watching expenditures closely,” William said. “I’ve tried to spend tax money in a wise and efficient manner.”
HIS CAREER in law enforcement has spanned nearly 35 years, and included Williams earning a degree in criminal justice from Wichita State University.
He began carrying a gun for a living as a patrol officer in Arkansas City, where he was born and raised. After seven years, with rank of patrol lieutenant, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation came calling.
Six months into his KBI career he came to Iola, a move that Williams said he and wife Margo, chief nurse officer at Anderson County Hospital, have applauded frequently.
“Iola and Allen County have been great places to live and raise our family,” he said.
Williams earned a reputation as a crackerjack investigator and was the KBI’s lead agent in many high-profile cases in eastern Kansas.
Shortly after retiring, he ran for sheriff and won the office in a race against first-term incumbent Robbie Atkins. He won re-election in 2008.
AS SHERIFF, Williams directs a staff of nine officers who deal with crime and other law enforcement duties.
“We’re down two deputies right now,” he said. “We’re going to hire one deputy and keep the other position open for the time being, to save tax money.”
In corrections — jail staff — are 14 officers and three cooks. Two employees take care of daily office chores in the sheriff’s office.
Williams doesn’t have direct oversight of communications, but he is chairman of the county’s 911 Advisory Board. He also is a member of the Ambulance Committee that is seeking a way to reduce service to one agency in the county.
