Simms announces re-election bid for Greene County sheriff
Greene County Sheriff Marcus Simms announced his intention to run for re-election for a second term.
Simms has a total of 14 years in law enforcement, with the last 10 years being at the sheriff’s office.
“It is with great pride I am announcing that I will be seeking re-election for Greene County sheriff,” Simms said. “It is a privilege and honor to serve as the sheriff of Greene County and assist my fellow community members. I am proud of my deputies and staff for the great pride they take in serving their fellow Greene County residents. As sheriff, I will continue to put the rights and needs of Greene County’s citizens first.”
Simms cited his proactive and community-oriented approach as his greatest achievement as sheriff, always striving for new ways to better serve the community. He said they have made the resources of the sheriff’s office more accessible for those needing to utilize them. That was accomplished by adding additional hours each month for community members to get their concealed weapons permits, attending several community events throughout the year, allowing people access to obtain a permit there and making applying for a permit accessible online.
The sheriff’s sales are posted to the office’s Facebook page to further community knowledge of ongoing sales. They have continued to expand deputies’ hours of operation to further serve the public and assist fellow law enforcement departments with manpower.
The department has also expanded the K-9 program to include a search and rescue bloodhound in addition to the explosives K-9 unit. Both K-9 units and some of their equipment were donated to the department, and they use a yearly calendar that receives donations from local businesses to reduce the additional expenses of the K-9 units. In addition to the K-9 unit’s typical duties, they have served as an asset for building community relations and positive interactions.
In addition to the daily duties of ensuring the public and employees safety at the courthouse and other county properties, the department also provides security at the Monview skating rink, flashlight drags, the county fair and other county-hosted events and properties. Simms said they also take pride in filling in as school resource officers when the full-time officer is at training sessions or off.
Through partnerships, they are able to participate with the National Drug Take Back and gun safe events where firearm safes are provided to citizens of Greene County for free. The department also frequently participates in “Touch A Truck” events, trunk-or-treat events and deputies speak with students to build strong community relationships. An additional partnership has provided the department with coloring books and other materials to hand out to the county’s youth and senior populations about issues relevant and concerning to them.
“During my time as sheriff, we have received multiple generous donations for equipment as to not burden the taxpayer,” Simms said.
Some of this equipment includes ballistic helmets for officer safety, a K-9 vehicle, medical equipment and a search and rescue side by side that otherwise would not have been available.
Simms is a certified sheriff, municipal police officer and lethal weapons officer in Pennsylvania. He is a certified firearms instructor in handgun, shotgun, rifle and less lethal munitions, an ALICE instructor (active shooter) and POSIT certified. During Simms’ tenure in law enforcement he received multiple accommodations to include the Life Saving Award, Distinguished Service Award, Commendation and Merit Awards.
Simms has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Westminster College and graduated from West Greene High School. He is a lifelong resident of Greene County where he resides in Waynesburg with his wife and daughter.
“It is an honor to serve as the sheriff of Greene County and I hope to continue to serve the citizens of Greene County,” Simms said.
Simms was elected to a full term as sheriff in 2021 and won a special election in 2019 after he was appointed interim sheriff following the death of Sheriff Brian Tennant earlier that year.