Barry County Sheriff not seeking re-election
Sheriff Mick Epperly talks to his daughter who watched the announcement via teleconference Tuesday afternoon.
February 10, 2016
Charlea Mills
At a staff meeting on Tuesday afternoon, 20-year Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly announced that he will not be seeking re-election for a sixth term.
Epperly revealed the news to his staff in an emotional meeting at Barry Electric, his wife, Anna, at his side. Epperly somberly told his staff, “I’m not seeking my sixth re-election.” He said, “It was a tough decision, but it was time.”
Epperly said, “I wanted to get it out to my staff first and then the public deal with it from there. And I can say it’s just been an honor to work for Barry County and to support law enforcement, and I’ll continue to support law enforcement as long as I live. Because I know what we go through; I know what you guys go through.”
Epperly regaled his 28 years in law enforcement, starting at a time when he drove his own car with two other officers. He gave reasons such as health issues and the brutality of election campaigns as part of his opting not to seek re-election.
He said, “Twenty-eight years of law enforcement, and I still love it. I enjoyed it. I’m not a sheriff that was sitting at a desk. Most of the time, I was out with [the deputies] on a lot of cases. I liked to be the first one to knock the door in on occasions.
“But I think you know, it’s time to move on, and hand the torch to somebody else.”
Epperly also shared one of the paramount reasons that he ran for Sheriff back in 1996 to begin with. An officer was killed after buying Epperly’s car, using his badge number and working his shift. After that, he knew it was the right thing to do. But now, all these years later, he’s ready to hang up his hat.
Epperly said that he really credits his deputies and his staff with his successes as Sheriff. “I couldn’t have done it without good people. We’ve got a really good Sheriff’s office, and as I step down, I hope that person does better, and I’ll be proud of them. It took a long time to get here.”
He went on, “A lot of things that went on, and you know, we’ve made some big arrests. We arrested some big time dope dealers, murderers, and proud to get them off the street. And it’s just I’m going to open up another chapter in my life. I feel like God’s wanting me to do that. And you go with your gut feeling.”
While county filings do not begin until Feb. 23, there has been speculation as to who would run for Epperly’s position if he chose to not run again. All he said at the meeting was, “I know we’ve got people in this office that can step up and run [for] the position.” He added, “It’s mine and my wife’s decision. If one of you decides to run for the position, I’ll be behind you. But let me tell you, you must have your family to support you. My wife has been there to support me through the thick and the thin, and the lawsuits that come along with it and this and that you know, but she’s been there.”
Epperly said that all those years ago, he ran his campaign on a platform he still holds true. “When I ran for Sheriff the very first time, in 1996, my signs were, put on each and every sign, ‘fair, honest and caring,’ and I believe that’s the way I carried my system all the way through it.”
He said, “I think we made Barry County a better place to live.” He continued, “It’s been quite a ride.”
Epperly said that he plans to spend time with his grandchildren, hunt, fish and take care of his cattle farm after his term ends at the end of the year.
Filings for the county positions, including the Barry County Sheriff, open on February 23 and close on March 29.
Charlea Mills
At a staff meeting on Tuesday afternoon, 20-year Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly announced that he will not be seeking re-election for a sixth term.
Epperly revealed the news to his staff in an emotional meeting at Barry Electric, his wife, Anna, at his side. Epperly somberly told his staff, “I’m not seeking my sixth re-election.” He said, “It was a tough decision, but it was time.”
Epperly said, “I wanted to get it out to my staff first and then the public deal with it from there. And I can say it’s just been an honor to work for Barry County and to support law enforcement, and I’ll continue to support law enforcement as long as I live. Because I know what we go through; I know what you guys go through.”
Epperly regaled his 28 years in law enforcement, starting at a time when he drove his own car with two other officers. He gave reasons such as health issues and the brutality of election campaigns as part of his opting not to seek re-election.
He said, “Twenty-eight years of law enforcement, and I still love it. I enjoyed it. I’m not a sheriff that was sitting at a desk. Most of the time, I was out with [the deputies] on a lot of cases. I liked to be the first one to knock the door in on occasions.
“But I think you know, it’s time to move on, and hand the torch to somebody else.”
Epperly also shared one of the paramount reasons that he ran for Sheriff back in 1996 to begin with. An officer was killed after buying Epperly’s car, using his badge number and working his shift. After that, he knew it was the right thing to do. But now, all these years later, he’s ready to hang up his hat.
Epperly said that he really credits his deputies and his staff with his successes as Sheriff. “I couldn’t have done it without good people. We’ve got a really good Sheriff’s office, and as I step down, I hope that person does better, and I’ll be proud of them. It took a long time to get here.”
He went on, “A lot of things that went on, and you know, we’ve made some big arrests. We arrested some big time dope dealers, murderers, and proud to get them off the street. And it’s just I’m going to open up another chapter in my life. I feel like God’s wanting me to do that. And you go with your gut feeling.”
While county filings do not begin until Feb. 23, there has been speculation as to who would run for Epperly’s position if he chose to not run again. All he said at the meeting was, “I know we’ve got people in this office that can step up and run [for] the position.” He added, “It’s mine and my wife’s decision. If one of you decides to run for the position, I’ll be behind you. But let me tell you, you must have your family to support you. My wife has been there to support me through the thick and the thin, and the lawsuits that come along with it and this and that you know, but she’s been there.”
Epperly said that all those years ago, he ran his campaign on a platform he still holds true. “When I ran for Sheriff the very first time, in 1996, my signs were, put on each and every sign, ‘fair, honest and caring,’ and I believe that’s the way I carried my system all the way through it.”
He said, “I think we made Barry County a better place to live.” He continued, “It’s been quite a ride.”
Epperly said that he plans to spend time with his grandchildren, hunt, fish and take care of his cattle farm after his term ends at the end of the year.
Filings for the county positions, including the Barry County Sheriff, open on February 23 and close on March 29.