Cross v Grimsrud: Similar Stance, Different Approach

November 8 is Election Day and, if you haven't already cast your ballot, the two Jefferson County Sheriff/Coroner candidates would like to request your vote on one of their behalf. However, while one candidate is more reserved and a bit better known on the South end of Jefferson County, and the other is more outgoing and known in the North, both stand for the same thing: the Montana Constitution and keeping the peace to uphold its laws.

Both Captain and Detective Chad Cross, a resident of Whitehall, and Lieutenant Tom Grimsrud, of Corbin, recognize the uptick in crime within Jefferson County as the population grows.

Cross, who worked as a part-time detention officer for Jefferson County in 2002, graduated from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in 2007 and joined the Sheriff's office in 2008.

"I see this election as a job application I'm putting in for," said Cross, who noted that he doesn't feel like he's "against" Grimsrud in any way. "We both have a lot of the same ideas; I think we just have different thoughts on how to execute them. I'm here to serve the people of the county and of the Sheriff's office."

Grimsrud agrees.

"I look at this as upholding an oath. I took oaths in 4H, working on a ranch, in the military - this is another oath to serve," Grimsrud said. a peace officer in Jefferson County since 1999, Grimsrud was surprised by the Sheriff's decision to retire and only decided to run due to the feeling he "wasn't done yet" and felt he still has more to give.

Both candidates mentioned that the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has been run as a tight ship by Sheriff Craig Doolittle but also as a small tight-knit family environment.

"But with the growth the county is experiencing, it's time to transform that into more professional management, with a delegation of authority," Grimsrud said.

Both candidates would like to implement SROs in the communitites. School Resource Officers are sworn law enforcement officers responsible for safety and crime prevention in schools. SROs, in a modified program fitting the schools of Jefferson County, would be beneficial, Cross said. While Jefferson County isn't experiencing the high drug influx other counties are, yet, establishing an SRO program is desired.

"I'm here to represent everyone, to investigate and serve to the best of my ability," Cross said, adding that a vote for him is much appreciated.

"Since 1999 Jefferson County has supported me and my family and, in return, I want to do the same," said Grimsrud.