Steve Wilson, a 52-year resident of Walker County, is seeking re-election as sheriff, a seat he has held since Jan. 1, 1997.

It would be his fifth term, serving as many years as sheriff Ralph Jones (1965-85).

Wilson graduated from LaFayette High School in 1975. He began his law enforcement career as a fingerprint examiner for the FBI in Washington, D.C., for more than three years.

He attended the police academy at Floyd Junior College.

In 1979, he was employed with the Georgia Department of Corrections for a year.

Upon returning to his hometown he served more than five years as a patrolman on the LaFayette Police Department until 1986.

He was promoted to detective the following year.

He is an active member in several organizations: board member of the Family Crisis Center (The Cottage), committee member for BEAT (Business and Education Alliance Together), president of the Al Millard Stocking Full of Love, and deacon/member at Oakwood Baptist Church.

Wilson also served as the commander of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force for seven years.

During his four terms his office has started an inmate chaplain program and digitally updated the investigative filing system, among numerous improvement projects.

Wilson partnered with Catoosa County sheriff Phil Summer to upgrade the regional communications system with a $5.7 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security in 2008.

The office has begun to utilize social media to engage the public’s help in developing information for cases.

The Sheriff Ralph Jones Law Enforcement Training Center was launched earlier this year.

Wilson was elected to his first two terms as sheriff with 73 percent of the vote, and he ran unopposed in 2004.

He has completed 1,739 hours of law enforcement in-service training with Northern Virginia Community College and more recently graduated in 2008 from the Naval Post Graduate School of the Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

He has several goals in mind for the future.

“I will work to obtain state accreditation to improve the Sheriff’s Office ability to prevent and reduce crime through more efficient delivery of law enforcement services,” Wilson said.

He also plans for a modernized jail management system, retain and recruit employees with attractive benefits packages, and address some limitations in the Georgia Criminal Code.

Wilson fears those plans could be difficult during a stale economy with minimal funds.

The Sheriff’s Office has embraced technology with the walkerso.com website, which allows citizens to track sex offenders, Wilson said.

His office updates crime data weekly to Raids Online mapping system.

“Prescription drugs abuse and its illegal distribution are the most pressing matter facing the county,” Wilson said.

Wilson has launched a citizen’s academy that aims to educate the public. He also wants to further crime prevention programs to reduce burglaries, thefts and frauds.

Wilson is married to his wife, Sandy, and have three adult children: Adam, Ryan and Katie.

His hobbies include genealogy research and watching the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs.

Wilson has received the 2009 Distinguished Service Award from the Fort Oglethorpe Kiwanis Club, was recognized as the Walker County Citizen of the Year in 2004 and won a Governor’s Public Safety Award in 2002.

Voters can contact Wilson at 706-638-4500 or steve@SheriffSteveWilson.com.