MARION COUNTY — A Marion County deputy has thrown his hat into the ring to run in the June 28, 2022, Primary Election for sheriff.

Sergeant Kevin Cripps of Iuka says he wants to ensure Marion County is a safer place to live, work, play and raise a family.

Cripps has been with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department since 1997 and was recently promoted to investigator replacing Anthony Decker who was promoted to Lieutenant when current interim Sheriff Andy Garden took over for the retiring Rich Stevenson.

Cripps describes himself as a conservative Republican saying he’s disturbed by the attitude displayed by Springfield politicians as they paced policies that led to more sheriffs and law enforcement officers leaving the job.

In addition to his work for the sheriff’s department, Cripps is the current Iuka School Board President, is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Iuka Fire Protection District and serves on the Salem Little League Board. He’s served as a firefighter, Lieutenant and Captain on the Iuka Fire Protection District.

Cripps says he’s served at every level of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department from dispatcher, correctional officer, patrol sergeant, and detective.

The first day for candidates can pick up nomination packets for the June primary election is Wednesday.

In addition to the sheriff’s seat, all 15 county board seats, as well as County Clerk and Recorder, County Treasurer, and all precinct committee positions, will be open for election.

Petitions for office need to be filed between March 7th and March 14th. The primary election this year is on June 28th.