The following is a press release announcing the candidacy for Eddie McGuire’s run for Marshall County Sheriff:
Hello Marshall County,
My name is Eddie McGuire, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for the office of Marshall County Sheriff. After much prayer and many talks with family, friends, and members of the community, I know I’m the best candidate to maximize crime prevention and fiscal efficiency in Marshall County. I have Marshall County roots, I share your Marshall County values and I plan to always put Marshall County first.
I was born and raised here and graduated from Marshall County High School in 1997 as a four-year member of the Marching Marshals. I spent several years as an active member of Walnut Street Baptist church where I served as a Sunday School director and oversaw church sports leagues.
My wife, Taleah Bailey-McGuire, and I reside in Benton and have two children, Kaitlyn and Jordan. We are also foster parents through Kentucky’s Department of Community Based Services. Taleah has been employed with Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance since 2009, where she serves as Office Manager. My family and I are active members of Impact Church, in the Brewers area, where I serve as the treasurer. I’m a coordinator for Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University” studies, helping families get out of debt and exercise Biblical principles in handling money. The Lord is the staple in our lives as we try to live a life pleasing to Him.
I’m the son of Cathy York McGuire of Fairdealing and the late Chuck “Foosie” McGuire of Benton. I’m the grandson of Monroe and Ruth York of Fairdealing and the late Graham and Velva McGuire of Benton. My wife, Taleah, is the daughter of Paula Marler of Benton and the late Curtis Bailey of Fairdealing. She is the granddaughter of Bill and Neoma Bailey of Fairdealing and the late Bill and Betty Marler of Benton.
I started my law enforcement career in 2001 when Roger Ford hired me at the Marshall County Detention Center. I was hired by the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department in 2003, and I was promoted to sergeant in 2007. I joined the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office in 2008. I worked for the Benton Police Department in 2009 before returning to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office in 2010 where I remained until my recent resignation to seek the office of Sheriff.
I have been involved in nearly every situation imaginable during my time in law enforcement. I have the training and experience needed to take the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office to the next level.
Qualifications:
17 years of law enforcement experience
7 years as a police supervisor
Academy of Police Supervision graduate in 2012
FBI trained Hostage/Crisis Negotiator since 2011
DEA Clandestine Laboratory Technician since 2005
Successfully completed The Center for Leadership Studies Situational Leadership Model
Advanced Certification in John E. Reid School of Interview and Interrogations
Completed Values Based Leadership training
Trained in grant writing through the Department of Criminal Justice Training
Completed training on Kentucky’s Peace Officer Professional Standards hiring process through the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council
Marshall County Drug Court team member
Working at the Sheriff’s office for eight years, I have a working knowledge of the steps we need to take to make Marshall County a safer place. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office will need to address three important issues in the coming years.
The County’s illegal drug problem:
Drugs are, undoubtedly, the most important and imminent problem facing Marshall County and western Kentucky. Methamphetamine, heroin, prescription opiates, and synthetic drugs are a problem in our neighborhoods and even in our schools. Our court system is overrun with drug cases costing taxpayers thousands of dollars countywide. As a member of the Marshall County drug court, and other recovery based organizations, I understand adding more rehabilitation programs is just as important as adding enforcement details when it comes to reducing the drug problem and saving the lives of our neighbors. Historically, we have been unsuccessful in reducing the supply of drugs into the county. Without helping our friends and neighbors recover from drug abuse, we will continue to fight a losing battle in reducing drug crime. Those fighting addiction often commit thefts and burglaries to financially support their habit. We will never reduce the supply of drugs without reducing the demand for drugs. When our community members recover from drug addiction, overall crime goes down.
Financial Efficiency:
Efficient use of your tax dollars will be an essential part of my administration as Sheriff. I have practiced financial discipline in my personal life and will transfer that to the Sheriff’s budget. Reorganization of personnel and equipment will help create laser focused patrols that will reduce crimes such as trespassing, drug trafficking and thefts. This reorganization will also add a detective to our investigations division. This additional detective will help assist in investigating homicides, sex crimes, property crimes and drug crimes. Deputies will have the resources to conduct ATV patrols, weekend marine patrols, and other specialized patrols in problem areas of the county. I will use every dollar in the Sheriff’s budget to maximize the safety of the citizens and the deputies.
Expand chaplaincy and counseling services for deputies:
For your deputies to perform the services that are demanded of them, they must be physically, mentally, and spiritually fit. These men and women see the worst of mankind every day they come to work. They must regularly process and personally deal with death and tragedy. Constant stress from ever-increasing dangerous situations adds to the everyday wear and tear on our men and women in uniform. It affects their personal lives as well as their work performance. Taking care of our deputies and staff will be a top priority. I will work to remove the stigma that comes along with seeking help with the mental wounds of service. I will increase and encourage access to counseling services and chaplains so our first responders can get the care they need. When we can take better care of them, they can take better care of our citizens that need them.
I want my children to grow up in a safe, secure community just as I did. Addressing these issues is important to maintaining the enjoyable Marshall County way of life. We don’t have to look far past our county lines to see what a drug epidemic and high crime rate can do to a community’s appeal. It affects industry, commerce, real estate values, and community safety. Given the fact I have policed our streets for the past decade, I am the best candidate to maximize the potential of the Sheriff’s Office and use the resources we have to keep Marshall County the safe and welcoming community we all know and love.
With my experience and training, I will take the Sheriff’s Office and Marshall County to the next level. I have Marshall County roots, I share your Marshall County values, and I will always put Marshall County first. I humbly ask for your vote on May 22, 2018.