Victims and Community First

  Victims Matter

“We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for their actions”. – Ronald Reagan.

Putting Victims First

• Prioritize victims over offenders in the justice process
• Recognize the financial, emotional, and long-term impact of crime
• Ensure victims are supported from the moment a crime occurs

For too long, the justice system has drifted away from those who suffer the harm and toward those who cause it. Victims are often left to rebuild their lives while navigating trauma, financial loss, and uncertainty. My priority is restoring a system that recognizes victims as the central concern, not an afterthought—and ensures they receive respect, support, and meaningful assistance.

Real Accountability for Offenders

• Hold offenders responsible for their actions
• Use incarceration when appropriate to protect victims and the community
• Provide treatment, education, and rehabilitation opportunities

Accountability matters. In many cases, incarceration is necessary, not only as a consequence for criminal behavior, but as a way to protect victims and prevent further harm. While incarcerated, offenders have access to counseling, medical care, detox services, and educational and spiritual programming aimed at long-term behavioral change. Just as importantly, incarceration gives victims peace of mind, knowing the person who harmed them cannot continue to cause damage.

Effective Supervision When Incarceration Is Not the Answer

• Geo-restricted GPS monitoring for non-violent offenders
• Strong pretrial supervision
• Rigorous drug and alcohol monitoring
• Collaboration with County Health and Human Services

I recognize that incarceration is not always the most effective solution. In those cases, strict and meaningful supervision is essential. This includes close monitoring, accountability measures, and partnerships with health and human services to address underlying issues, while still prioritizing community safety and victim protection.

Dedicated Support for Victims

• Establish a Victim Assistant position through grant funding
• Provide direct support from investigation through charging decisions
• Coordinate closely with the District Attorney’s Office

During my first term, I will actively pursue funding to create a dedicated Victim Assistant position. This role will work alongside investigators and coordinate with the District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Coordinator to ensure victims are informed, supported, and never left navigating the justice system alone.

Addressing the Growing Impact of Crime

• Focus on fraud, theft, and crimes against individuals
• Recognize the devastating financial consequences for victims
• Ensure no victim feels abandoned or forgotten

This issue is deeply personal to me. I have witnessed an alarming increase in fraud and theft cases where victims are left without the means to meet basic needs or pursue the futures they planned. No one should feel abandoned after becoming a victim of crime, and no community should accept that outcome as normal.

Proven Leadership. Real Results.

These priorities are not theoretical - I have already delivered results. I have successfully worked with state and federal representatives from both parties to secure critical relief for victims in Door County. That support helped stabilize victims’ lives while investigators focused on holding offenders accountable and recovering restitution. As Sheriff, I will continue to lead with experience, compassion, and accountability - ensuring victims come first and justice is balanced, firm, and fair.

Community Focused Leadership

Transparency and Responsibility to the Public

• Open and honest communication with the community
• Accountability in how taxpayer resources are used
• Clear explanations when crimes occur and how they are addressed

Community engagement is more than visibility; it is a responsibility. The Sheriff’s Office is entrusted with constitutional authority and taxpayer funding, and the public deserves transparency and accountability in return. When harm occurs, the community has a right to understand what happened, how it will be addressed, and what steps are being taken to prevent it in the future.

Giving Back Beyond the Badge

• Active involvement in youth and school athletics
• Mentorship and leadership development for young people
• Strengthening relationships with families across the county

I believe that anyone entrusted with public service has a responsibility to give back. Throughout my career, I have remained actively engaged in the community by coaching youth sports and school athletics, including Little League baseball, girls' softball, track and field, and football. Serving as a Varsity Assistant Coach and later Head Football Coach for the Sturgeon Bay School District allowed me to mentor young people, reinforce accountability and teamwork, and stay connected to the families who make up our community.

Supporting Local Organizations and Nonprofits

• Board member, Leadership Door County
• Supporter and organizer of community fundraising efforts
• Long-term commitment to strengthening local nonprofits

Strong communities depend on strong local organizations. I currently serve as a board member for Leadership Door County and have consistently supported fundraising efforts throughout the county. As an event coordinator for Side Pork Fest, what began as a local celebration grew into a successful event that raised nearly $30,000 for Door County nonprofits—supporting causes that directly impact our neighbors and community.

Connecting Through Arts, Family, and Shared Experiences

• Member of the Peninsula Symphonic Band
• Commitment to community enrichment through the arts
• Personal connection to family and service

I am also a proud member of the Peninsula Symphonic Band as a trumpet player. Playing music alongside talented musicians, and next to my daughter, allows me to connect with the community in a meaningful way. Providing joy and a sense of peace through music, even for a short time, reinforces the importance of shared experiences and community connection in an often-difficult world.

Building Trust Through Relationships

• Engagement with youth and emerging leaders
• Support for nonprofits and civic groups
• Strengthening cooperation between law enforcement and the public

Connecting with our youth, developing community leaders, and supporting local nonprofits are not separate from effective law enforcement, they are essential to it. These relationships build trust, understanding, and cooperation, making law enforcement stronger, more effective, and more accountable to the people it serves.

Education, Prevention, and Collaboration

• Focus on crime prevention through education
• Collaboration with deputies, investigators, and partner agencies
• Partnerships with media and civic organizations

As Sheriff, I will lead through education, communication, and collaboration. I will work alongside deputies and investigators to prevent crime and aggressively pursue justice when it occurs. With extensive experience in technology-facilitated crimes, I have presented at state and national levels on preventing child and adult sexual victimization, fraud, and improving physical security. I will continue working with local media and civic organizations to share practical guidance and keep our community informed and safer.

Proven Experience. Trusted Leadership.

I bring both the experience and commitment to lead effectively. I currently work with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, participate in public education through the Protect Kids Online podcast, have testified as an expert witness, hosted town hall discussions, and provided training for attorneys, medical professionals, and community groups. I have earned the trust required to carry out this mission and I will use that trust to put victims and the community first.