Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
The first person to announce intentions to seek the office of Montgomery County Sheriff is a former patrol officer. Tim Shepherd made it official on Sunday as he has filed the proper paperwork to run as a Republican.
“I have always been in public service and felt this is a continuation of that,” he said.
Shepherd is a Montgomery County native with over 28 years’ experience in law enforcement. He served the sheriff’s department for 12 years, including time as a patrol lieutenant. He also has worked at the Western Regional Jail, Salem City Police Department and is currently a sergeant with the Carilion Medical security department.
Shepherd is also a former member of the U.S. Marines, having served in Desert Storm. He holds an associate’s degree from New River Community College, a bachelor’s from Columbia Southern University and is currently working on his Master’s in Public Administration.
“I have always wanted to be in law enforcement,” said Shepherd. “I want to unite not only the Republican Party but unite everyone on common ground, to get everyone on the same page, supporting our law enforcement here.”
He has also been a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the past 11 years, something he would like to add to the skills of deputies for the sheriff’s department.
He would like to start a Tactical Medical Program for the patrol division.
“Deputies get on the scene of incidents and find hurt individuals—accidents, violent domestics and assaults—and immediately ask if someone needs medical assistance. I have deputies trained as EMTs that can help in the situations by rendering immediate aid,” he said.
Shepherd also wants to lead by example and be the most accessible sheriff the department has ever had. “I will be out in the public being seen, talking to citizens and being approachable.”
The vacancy came about when current Sheriff Hank Partin announced his retirement effective next month.
Candidates would have to run this November to fill the one year remaining of Partin’s term, then run again in November of 2027 for the opportunity of a full four-year term.
If anyone else seeks the Republican nomination, a Firehouse Primary will have to held on June 20 to decide a candidate.
