Supervisor announces bid to run for DeSoto County sheriff | News

DeSoto County District 5 Supervisor Michael Lee made his official announcement on Saturday night that he was campaigning for the Hernando Sheriff’s office as a Republican. The announcement was made at Lee’s opening campaign event at the Sean and Monica Green home.

Lee, a native of Hernando, has served as the district manager since 2014 following the death of his brother and then supervisor Harvey. Lee won his district seat during the DeSoto County Supervisors runoff election against Republican challenger Milton Jones in 2015. Lee is running for the 2023 election.

Lee’s career spanned several years in DeSoto County law enforcement as patrol commander, program instructor, Metro Narcotics commander, DeSoto County’s first SWAT team coordinator, chief investigator, prison administrator, and deputy chief.

Lee also owns and operates Town Square Haircuts in Hernando. Early in his career, Lee was also a wrestler for Memphis Wrestling.

The sheriff candidate spoke to attendees and supporters who had gathered during a barbecue dinner in the canopy tent in the Green residence. He highlighted the difference between the total DeSoto County government budget versus the sheriff’s budget.

“Our county budget is currently nearly $ 167 million,” said Lee. “The sheriff’s division I’m running for is nearly $ 27 million. That’s what it’s based on. So we have the money to run this county. It’s there as your taxpayers’ money, and I can assure you that my primary goal, honest and warm, is to protect you and your family here in DeSoto County. “

The safety of the residents was a major topic of conversation for Lee.

“I’m not here to double-tax the people of this county. I’m not here to follow the hard working people of this county. The lawbreakers are the ones we want to worry about, ”Lee continued. “You have a man who works all day, he doesn’t make that much money, his family is at home and he has to take care of the living. With today’s food and petrol prices in particular, he is not interested in breaking the law. How many times have you driven and said, ‘Oh my god, I have to slow down.’ That is not your intention, but if you come home and find your house has been broken into, I am here to make sure your property is safe while you are away and your family is protected while you sleep at night. “

Another point of discussion by Lee was to increase the visibility of the sheriff’s department, especially in the unincorporated parts of the county.

“Visibility is the key to this county. I would like to keep the district without legal personality with a patrol car. I want them to be visible. I want you to be able to approach them. A deputy sheriff should be approachable. You should see him, you know who he is and he knows who you are. Here’s how to find out who’s breaking the law here. You have people telling you who is breaking the law. “

Lee added, “If we have to get the bad guys to Tate County, Marshall County, or back to Shelby County, where they belong, that’s what we want to do.”

Planned and proposed infrastructure projects were mentioned by Lee as planned by the district overseers and the sheriff’s department. Lee said plans are underway to relocate the DeSoto County Judicial Tribunal back to the county seat in Hernando.

“We’re moving the Southaven Court of Justice,” said Lee. “We’re with the prison right now, and a brand new judicial building is being built by the prison.”

Lee said security is a major factor in moving the judiciary when it comes to moving inmates.

“I checked this morning, there are currently about 458 inmates in DeSoto County Jail. It holds roughly 550, which is our capacity, ”said Lee. “These people have to go to court, they have to go to first hearings and first appearances. You have to go to Southaven and bringing these people to Southaven is a security risk. What we as the board of directors (of the supervisory authorities) have done for you, the people in this district, we are postponing the court. We will have it where it is safer for our officers and safer for the public and (inmates) can be led out of prison in a secure area, take them to court and take them back to prison where they belong. “

Another planned project that Lee mentioned is the construction of a new facility for ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children).

“It should start construction, we’ve already approved it,” said Lee. “It will be attached to the sheriff’s administrative office. The program is (already there), it just wasn’t big enough. We needed more space.

Other goals Lee mentioned were increasing the number of certified law enforcement officers and targeted public relations training; and school programs on drug and alcohol awareness.

Lee’s wife, Mary Helen, said she was excited about the initial support for her husband’s announcement.

“It’s a lot more than we expected,” said Mary Helen. “We are very excited to start the campaign.” Mary Helen added that she was ready to be Mrs. Sheriff.

Qualifications for running for the Mississippi Sheriff’s office are listed by the Secretary of State’s office:to the United States and a qualified voter. Miss Code Ann. §19-25-3;Miss Konst. from 1890, item no. V, §§ 135 and 138. Political Party Candidates: US $ 100 paid through the Circuit Clerk to the appropriate county council. Independent Candidates: $ 100 paid to the district through the Circuit Clerk, andPetition submitted to the Circuit Clerk with signatures no less than50 qualified voters from the district. “

Bruno Lauer, Town of Walls councilor and former Memphis Wrestling wrestler, said he supported Lee’s candidacy for sheriff.

“I’ve known Michael for 40 years,” said Lauer, who was formerly known as “Downtown Bruno” as a wrestler. “When he got into the wrestling business in Memphis, we worked together. We need Michael Lee as our sheriff … I was proud to see another member of our wrestling community at the helm. “

Several attendees at the event said current Sheriff Bill Rasco is not seeking re-election.