Davis enters 2010 race for Sheriff in Bernalillo County

Patrick Davis, a former University of New Mexico Police Lieutenant and the youngest New Mexico graduate of the FBI's National Academy, announced his 2010 candidacy for Bernalillo County Sheriff at the Sandia Courtyard Hotel & Convention Center on Sunday.

Davis, a Bernalillo County Democrat, has served in the law enforcement community for 10 years, and is currently serving as a program director and public information officer with the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office.

Davis, who earned a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice said he is focused on community policing.

"In a community faced with such daunting challenges, it is time that we refocus and stand together against crime and criminals," Davis said.

'Targeting efforts on repeat offenders'

Davis said his campaign is about reshaping the way the county approaches law enforcement.

"So many other cities have realized success by embracing new technology, targeting efforts on repeat offenders and listening to the concerns of the communities we serve," Davis said. "New criminals are using new tactics to victimize our citizens. Its time that law enforcement responded with new ideas and new energy."

He told us he doesn't want 300 deputies driving around waiting for crimes and said he wants to engage the community in fighting crime along with his command staff. He also said he's monitoring the 2010 Legislature, and recognized that resources could be tight.

Still, Davis wants to make sure lawmakers in Santa Fe protect deputy pay raises, training and D.W.I. grant money.

Davis also told us he's closely watching Sandoval Demorat Rep. Jack Thomas' HB 174, which is legislation aimed at curbing gang recruitment, with stiff new penalties. He wants to ensure the bill, if approved, won't face legal challenges or become to cumbersome.

Davis is not only the youngest candidate in the field, he's also an openly gay man in the community. In fact, his partner has been recognized for his work on the BCSO's swat team.

"I came to Albuquerque because I love its people and its culture, and wanted to be a part of the next generation of our community," Davis said.

He said being gay is just another indication of the state and county's diversity and that deputies, who are aware of his sexual orientation, just treat him as another cop.

Davis faces a number of Democrat primary opponents including interim Sheriff Manny Gonzales, Felix Nunez, and Marie "SiSi" Miranda. APD Commander Conrad Candelaria reportedly dropped out of the race last week.

The Republicans are also fielding several candidates to replace former Sheriff Darren P. White who accepted a job with the City of Albuquerque as Chief Public Safety Director. They include William Kurth and Dan Houston among a few.

Miranda kicks off campaign for Bernco sheriff

She's a veteran APD commander and retired Deputy Chief II, now Marie "Sisi" Miranda wants to be the first female sheriff of Bernalillo County.

She ramped up her campaign with a Friday night fundraiser, which was hosted by martial arts masters Phil Romero, Frank River and Kurt Saenz at an Albuquerque restaurant on Friday.

She told us her priorities will be to restore public trust, implement ethics reform and accountability in government.

"No more back door deals out of public view, no more promise made, but not kept, and no more operating under the cloak of darkness," Miranda insists.

She also wants to take guns and gangs off the street, and work with the Albuquerque Police Department to combat an increase in the property crime rate -- which often turns violent.



Miranda also said she want to put a stop to mixed-age rave parties on the mesa -- calling them "a terrible problem that needs to be stopped."

More brain, less braun

Miranda also gave us "the word" on what it would mean to her if she's elected the first female sheriff in the county, talked about diversity in community policing, and her experience cleaning up the embattled ABQ Police Crime Lab.



Miranda has a Bachelor's Degree from New Mexico State University in Foreign Languages and a Masters in Organization Management.

She faces a number of Democrat primary opponents including interim Sheriff Manny Gonzales, Felix Nunez, and Pat Davis. APD Commander Conrad Candelaria reportedly dropped out of the race last week.

The Republicans are also fielding several candidates to replace former Sheriff Darren P. White who accepted a job with the City of Albuquerque as Chief Public Safety Director. They include William Kurth and Dan Houston among a few.

Gonzales picked to be new sheriff

Judge Ted Baca swears in Manuel Gonzales, III as Sheriff. His wife Elaine held the bible while sons Daniel and Isaiah and Commissioners Alan Armijo and Mary Hart-Stebbins looked on. Not pictured is Gonzales' daughter Sophie who also attended the meeting (Photo: Peter St. Cyr)

On Monday night, Bernalillo County Commissioners unanimously voted (5-0) to appoint 46-year-old Sheriff’s Captain Manuel "Manny" Gonzales, III to replace Republican Sheriff Darren White, who resigned to become public safety director in Albuquerque Mayor-elect Richard Berry’s administration.

Gonzales’ new post expires next November, but he told us he intends to campaign for the job, and run as the incumbent in next June’s Democratic primary. It will be his first political campaign.

Party insiders had urged the three Democratic commissioners to pick a strong candidate who can win the general election next Fall. Others wanted the group, with two Republicans, to pick a place holder for the next 12 months. They said that would level the playing field in the upcoming primary.

“We’re very pleased with the new appointment of Sheriff Gonzales,” Bernalillo County First Vice-Chairman Victor Raigoza said. “He has been a good example of a person who is serving their community. I wish more people would follow his example.”

At least 21 people interviewed for the post in the last few weeks, but only three names were nominated on Monday night. Democrat Commissioner Maggie Hart-Stebbins had nominated Retired APD Commander Marie Sisi Miranda and Republicans Michael Brasher and Michael Weiner (who attended the meeting via a teleconference call) nominated William Kurth.

Two names that had been bantered around by pundits in recent weeks, Albuquerque Police Commander Conrad Candelaria and Under-sheriff Sal Baragiola did not make the final cut. Candelaria has been considering a primary campaign, but left the meeting before commenting on Gonzales appointment.

Gonzales says he’s already been focused on the department’s budget and will work with the upper command to deal with shrinking budgets. He told reporters after the meeting he’ll take proactive approach to policing.

Gonzales plans to work closely with Albuquerque Police

Outgoing Sheriff White had planned to resign at 5pm, but after the special meeting began late Republican Commissioner Michael Brasher asked him to delay it for thirty minutes.

White told commissioners that in his new role with the City of Albuquerque that he wanted to “continue the positive work that we do together, to improve the quality of life for people living in and around Albuquerque.”

After winning the vote Gonzales was immediately sworn in by District Court Judge Ted Baca and received his uniform’s five stars from White.

Before voting Commissioner Art De La Cruz said he had been impressed with every candidates qualification.

“I appreciate you putting your hat into the ring,” De La Cruz said. “It’s not an easy thing to do.”

Hart-Stebbins said, “It’s a pity we can only choose one of you.”

And Commission Chairman Alan Armijo, who nominated Gonzales, said he was reminded of something Bruce King had told him.

“All of my friends are running for sheriff, and I support my friends.”

In the end, Gonzales' experience managing the department’s budget swayed the commissioners. He told us he expects a very short tranition period, but that he’ll consult with both White and his command staff before making any “huge” decisions.

The ABQ Journal has more on Gonzales' history with the Sheriff's office.

Deputy McGrane's "End of Watch" Marked with New Highway Sign.

For nearly three years a white cross has marked the spot along highway 337 where Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputy James McGrane was senselessly murdered during a routine traffic stop three years ago.

Now, a large green highway sign will remind driver's of McGrane's "end of watch" patrol on March 22, 2006.

On Friday, Governor Bill Richardson, Sheriff Darren White, McGrane's mother, father, sister, and nieces, the mayor of Tijeras, and others, honored the fallen deputy and dedicated the rural road to McGrane.

Wearing his full dress uniform and white gloves, Sheriff Darren White told the crowd how much McGrane, an 11 year law enforcement vet, loved his job, even calling him a "hero."

McGrane's dad, who drives a school bus said he asked his young riders to pray for good weather for the dedication ceremony, instead the wind and cold reminded the needless and chilling loss of his son.

McGrane said the new memorial would be a reminder of how his son lived...not died.

He also recalled how his son was afraid of the dark as a child, but loved patrolling the dark streets in the East Mountains as an adult. His mother said her last phone call with her son was 12 hours before his death. She told the crowd of nearly 150 people that McGrane told her he'd been invited to join the S.W.A.T., but was uncertain, because he loved community policing and his East Mountain Assignment. Mrs. McGrane said she's certain her son would be delighted with the crowd turnout, and that he's watching over deputies and police officers from heaven.

The McGrane's Foundation has been responsible for raising money for several advance street survival training classes and workshops for law enforcement officer's statewide.

Governor Richardson praised the family and Deputy McGrane.

Deputy McGrane sacrificed his life protecting the citizens of Bernalillo County and the citizens of this great state. He paid the ultimate price in the name of duty and public service. The naming of this Memorial Highway in honor of Deputy McGrane is a way for us to thank him for his service and remember what he and other fellow law enforcement officers do for us on a daily basis-putting their lives on the line in order to keep our communities safe.

State Transportation Commissioner Jackson Gibson said:

Naming this highway after Deputy McGrane is a fitting tribute to a man who gave his life in the line of duty. We hope this Memorial Highway will serve as a lasting reminder of Deputy McGrane's legacy.

The dedication officially designates 29.3 miles of N.M. 337 from N.M. 333 to N.M. 55 between Tijeras and Mountainair.

McGrane's accused killer Michael Paul Astoraga is facing the death penalty. But prosecutors are waiting to see if the ultimate penalty is repealed by lawmakers in Santa Fe, or if the court tosses the death penalty, before proceeding to trial.

Do Darren White's Deputies Threaten Ballot Box Integrity on Election Day? Sheriff Demands Apology for Accusations.

Darren White says Martin Heinrich's campaign owes Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputies an apology after the Democratic Congressional Candidate raised some serious questions regarding their election day integrity on KOB TV's Eyewitness News 4. See the report here.

We just received a copy of this letter from Darren White to Martin Heinrich:

10/30/2008

Mr. Heinrich,

On Wednesday, October 29, 2008, your campaign laid out a very public charge on KOB-TV that you do not trust the deputies of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department to uphold Election Day ballot integrity, protection and security.

Your cheap political smears, claiming our deputies cannot be trusted, attack every law enforcement officer in the State of New Mexico, and I call on you to personally issue an apology to the deputies of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department.

Also, your campaign operative, Jason Burke, should be informed that the deputies serve the citizens of this county, first and foremost. Just like the employees of the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office, who are dedicated professionals, they would never compromise an election because their boss’ name is on the ballot.

And for the record, the officers of the New Mexico State Police despise being referred to as “troopers.”

Martin, desperate political attacks against law enforcement officers is repugnant and unbecoming for someone who portends to represent the people of this community in Congress with dignity.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department has always provided Election Day security with unquestioned commitment to the process. The department provides ballot protection so the system is just and fair for everyone involved – Democrats and Republicans, incumbents and challengers. In no way will this election be decided by the deputies.

The deputies and other law enforcement officers of this community put their lives on the line every single day for our citizens. It is a disgrace that you would raise public suspicions about their integrity, honesty and professionalism, for the sake of a political stunt – a week before Election Day.

On the one hand you defend the actions of a convicted eco-terrorist, while on the other hand you question the integrity of our police officers. I believe this is a revealing look into your thinking and why so many believe you are the most extreme candidate ever nominated in this district.

Again, I call on you to personally and publically apologize to the law enforcement community of New Mexico. The comments of Jason Burke, acting as your representative, were out of line and downright false and represent the worst kind of politics and outside interference in New Mexico’s election process.

You should know better, Martin. This is no way for you to conduct a campaign for Congress on the backs of dedicated civil servants and law enforcement officers.

Sincerely,

Darren White

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County Clerk Maggie Toulouse-Oliver says anyone from either political party is allowed to observed the transfer of ballots to her election warehouse.