ST. JOHN — Stafford County voters will have one contested race appearing on the Aug. 6 Republican primary ballot, with three candidates filed for Stafford County Sheriff.
Incumbent Stafford County Sheriff Robert Murrow is seeking his third term. He has two challengers with law enforcement experience, each seeking their first term as sheriff. Current St. John Police Chief Tori Perez and Greg McAlister, a former Stafford County undersheriff, have filed for the position.
Robert Murrow’s profile
Macksville native Robert Murrow has also served on the Macksville City Council and as Macksville Mayor.
What do you believe qualifies you for this office? I have 25 years of experience and have been a deputy, Undersheriff and Sheriff in that time. My focus has always been on the best interest of the community and my department.
What do you see as the No. 1 issue in this election? Elections are always full of misinformation, and personal feelings due to past interactions that each candidate may or may not have had with the public or other agencies. My hope is that voters will do their research and get true information on each candidate and vote for the right reasons and what they feel is best for the county as a whole.
Tori Perez’s profile
Larned native Tori Perez has served as the St. John Police Chief for the past three years, joining the police force in 2019. This is her first time running for an elected office.
What do you believe qualifies you for this office? With nearly seven years in law enforcement capacity and a strong background in working with mental health, emergency medical services, and firefighting, my diverse experience uniquely equips me for the responsibilities of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to entering law enforcement, I dedicated six years to mental health, providing invaluable insight into crisis intervention and community support, a perspective that continues to inform my policing approach.
Complementing my practical experience, I am committed to furthering my education. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and leadership studies with a minor in psychology, enhancing my understanding of human behavior and organizational dynamics. Additionally, I hold a certificate in Criminal Justice Leadership, Policing & Homeland Security, and Criminal Psychology from Fort Hays State University, underscoring my dedication to continuous learning and professional development.
My military service has profoundly shaped my leadership capabilities. As a solider, I draw upon the structured environment and leadership roles I hold in the Army to guide my decision-making and management style. This background, combined with specialized training as a certified School Resource Officer and leadership courses through the Kansas Army National Guard and Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, positions me as a well-rounded leader capable of effectively managing the challenges of the Sheriff’s Office.
In assuming the role of Stafford County Sheriff, I will bring a wealth of skills, education, and unwavering integrity. I am dedicated to fostering a safe and cohesive community through proactive law enforcement and collaborative community engagement.
What do you see as the No. 1 issue in this election? I firmly believe that community policing stands as the foremost issue in this election, especially in rural areas like Stafford County where complacency can easily take root under the form of tradition. We must challenge this status quo by fostering a culture of proactive engagement. Every resident should have some level of familiarity with their law enforcement officers, promoting trust and mutual respect.
Throughout my duration at the St. John Police Department, I have prioritized promoting strong community relationships. I am eager to leverage this experience to extend these efforts county-wide. By expanding initiatives that encourage positive interactions and mutual understanding, we can enhance officer safety and foster a safer more cohesive community.
Greg McAlister’s profile
Liebenthal native Greg McAlister moved to St. John in 2019. He ran for St. John City Council in 2022.
What do you believe qualifies you for this office? I started my Law enforcement career as a Corrections Officer at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility where I worked for nine years. In January 2019, I came to work with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in the 258th basic class on Nov. 1, 2019. I served as a Deputy for Stafford County Sheriff’s Office until December 2020, when I was promoted to Undersheriff where I served until May 2023.
As Undersheriff, I served on the 20th Judicial District Juvenile Justice Board and was part of the Family Crisis Center MDT monthly meetings involving juveniles throughout Stafford County. In addition, I attended monthly KIA (Kansas Intelligence Association) meetings, was a member of the Kansas Sheriff’s Association, and was a member of the KNOA (Kansas Narcotics Officer Association).
As a Deputy and Undersheriff for Stafford County, I was out days, nights, and weekends patrolling the towns and back roads in the county. As Sheriff, I promise to give the same service. You will see me out days, nights, and weekends, protecting and serving this great county we live in.
What do you see as the No. 1 issue in this election? It’s long overdue for our Sheriff’s Department to be proactively combating the drug issues in Stafford County. How do we do this? First, we need leadership with the passion and drive to roll up their sleeves and get to work. When making drug-related arrests, we should be seizing the assets of these dealers. After seizing assets such as vehicles, homes, firearms, cash, and other property, we hold auctions to sell the forfeiture items. This money would be used to fund department training and updating the ever-changing equipment needed to stay ahead of this issue. In return, this would help lighten the burden on the taxpayers. Also, by cutting down drug trafficking in our county, statistics show that other crimes such as domestic battery and theft go down as well.
