Nov 3, 2017 5 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County voters will have a choice on the Nov. 7 ballot for sheriff as incumbent Brian Tennant, a Democrat, faces a challenge from Republican Ed DeBolt.

Tennant, seeking his second term of office, touts his experience as a former police officer and his accomplishments as sheriff.

“I feel I’ve been able to make a positive effect over the last four years and I want to try to continue that,” he said.

DeBolt, a political newcomer, spent more than 28 years in the military, serving as a platoon sergeant and as a first sergeant overseeing military police. He retired after more than 14 years with the state Department of Corrections.

DeBolt said he believes the sheriff’s department should be more active, considering most of the county has no local police coverage and state police have limited resources.

“I sit back and look at the condition that the country is in overall and I see what we have here in Greene County and I think we can do better,” he said.

During his first term, Tennant said he has worked closely with county school districts to implement the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., program to combat drug abuse through prevention.

His department also has increased efforts to assist local police and emergency responders on various incidents, he said.

“We’re kind of a force multiplier for them in terms of being a resource of manpower for them,” he said.

Tennant supports legislation to expand the sheriff’s duties, which traditionally involve providing court security, transporting prisoners and serving court papers. Sheriffs can’t conduct criminal investigations and can only arrest someone if they observe a person committing a crime.

“I would like to be able to have it so the sheriff is able to investigate and I would like to be able to do more on the drug front,” he said.

DeBolt said he believes the sheriff’s department must be more active, responding to emergency calls and providing a law enforcement presence in areas now underserved.

Though acknowledging the sheriff has limited police powers, DeBolt said the department will respond to calls. Many people have said they are concerned that when they call police, they are not sure when an officer will arrive.

“You can’t do anything if you are not there,” DeBolt said. “Even though you may not be able to affect an arrest, you can give taxpayers at least a little security that someone came when they needed help.”

DeBolt said he believes he can make better use of the department’s staff and its resources to provide more of a law enforcement presence throughout the county.

“Just the presence of someone in uniform or in some type of authority position can negate a crime,” he said. Parking a sheriff’s car in front a problem house, for instance, can serve as a deterrent.

DeBolt said he also would work to make sure the department is available to assist local and state police. “This county is too big to just leave it to one organization,” he said.

Under his tenure, Tennant said, the department has streamlined the gun permit application process and opened the office one night a month for those who work during the day.

He said he also has applied for grants to support department operations and continues to attend courses to better serve the office.

“I feel that my experience and my background in law enforcement and public safety is an advantage, and I always try to better myself and make the office a better resource for the people of Greene County,” he said.

DeBold refers to himself as a fiscal conservative and believes government must live within its means. One program he would like to support, he said, is the formation of neighborhood watches. Under his command, “the sheriff’s department would be more active in these types of roles,” he said.

DeBolt speaks of his leadership experience in the military and as a state corrections officer instructor. He also has been an NRA certified firearms instructor and operates a professional photography business.

“As sheriff, I will use my experience, leadership, and integrity to keep our families safe, assist in the fight against drugs and crime, uphold our rights and run an efficient office to protect taxpayers.”

Term: Four years

Salary: $45,423

Democrat

Brian Tennant

Age: 34

Residence: Franklin Township

Occupation: Sheriff

Education: Graduate of Penn State University’s paramedic program and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Criminal Justice Training Center and National Sheriff’s Institute.

Republican

Ed DeBolt

Age: 58

Residence: Crucible

Occupation: Professional photographer; retired after more than 28 years in the military and 14 years with the Department of Corrections.

Education: Training with both the military and state Department of Corrections