The winner of the general election will replace Sheriff Jim Stubbs, a Democrat, who decided to retire when his term ends on Jan. 4.

Background

Deputy Trevir Michehl has been with the Webster County Sheriff’s Office since December 2017, when he moved back home to rejoin the department he initiated his law enforcement career with in 2003 as a Sheriff Reserve.

In his early career, Michehl worked as a jailer in 2004 before being hired as a reserve police officer for Gowrie Police Department. He remained on the County Sheriff Reserves and the Gowrie PD Reserves until he was hired to join the Webster City Police Department in 2007, where he became certified by attending the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

While in Webster City, Michehl acquired several certifications, including training in cultural leadership, before being promoted to acting sergeant.

In 2011, he was hired by the Okoboji Police Department and obtained training and experience with budgets, vehicle fleet equipment management, wage management and policy writing. He served on the Northwest Iowa Drug Task Force, working with narcotics on top of being a HEAT team member, an Iowa/Minnesota SWAT team.

Over the years, he used his training and experience to teach vehicle operations at Iowa Lakes Community College while assisting with the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Team, teaching law enforcement officers from all over the state how to respond to an active shooter.

He has three daughters with his wife, Jodi.

Q: What differentiates you and your qualifications for sheriff from your primary opponent?

A: My amount of experience and the responsibilities I’ve been tasked with over the years separate myself from the other primary opponents. This includes experience in leadership positions, specialized training, policy writing, budgeting, negotiation skills and fleet management. Webster County is and will always be home to my family. The success and safety of this community is my number one priority.

Q: What part of Sheriff Stubbs’ legacy would you like to continue? What’s the best thing you believe he has done in office?

A: There are several aspects of Sherriff Stubbs’ legacy that I would continue as sheriff. I believe Sheriff Stubbs leads the department with integrity which is something that is very important to me. My goal is to lead by example and work just as hard as every other deputy. I would continue to run the department with integrity, hard work, and trust. Just as Sheriff Stubbs has, I am dedicated to gaining the trust and maintaining the safety of the citizens of this county.

Q: What would your top priorities be as sheriff?

A: I believe we currently have a well running Sheriff’s Office which is made up of dedicated deputies, jail staff and office staff. My top priorities include community policing, the safety of the citizens in Webster County, and the safety of the deputies and jailers. I am very interested in expanding training opportunities for our deputies and jail staff to increase skills that ensure their safety and that of those we serve.

Q: Why do you want to be sheriff? What drives your passion to be in law enforcement?

A: My goal is to be the sheriff of Webster County because I believe that my professionalism, experience and training in law enforcement, along with my passion for protecting and serving make me the best candidate to continue moving the sheriff’s department in the right direction. I grew up in Webster County and nothing makes me happier than living here and serving my friends and family through my career. I love seeing our communities thrive and feel that I can play an integral part of the success and safety of our home.

Q: How do you think mental health issues have impacted law enforcement? Is there any way you believe the Sheriff’s Office can address mental health in our community, either inside or outside the department?

A: An increasing number of calls that law enforcement officers respond to are individuals struggling with mental illness or concerned family members. Our job to deescalate these situations to avoid further danger and disruption. Due to various forms of mental illness, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for doing this. As sheriff, I intend to utilize the resources available to provide as much training and education as possible to our deputies and jail staff in order to not only improve our responses to these individuals, but also broaden our knowledge on mental health disorders in general and recognizing the signs. This training will equip deputies with various tactics that can be utilized responding to other crisis calls as well. I also believe it’s important to review policies pertaining to the mental health population as well, considering the increasing volume of calls dedicated to these individuals.