Greene County Deputy Kirk Hammer is running in the June primary for the Republican candidacy for sheriff.

The Iowa native served in the United States Navy and Army Reserves. He first got his start in law enforcement in southwest Missouri and came back to Iowa when his dad had cancer. He is an active member with the Jefferson Kiwanis Club and the Jefferson Elks Lodge. He also plays an active role with the Greene County Peace Officers Association and the Iowa Sheriff’s Deputies Association. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio why he’s running for sheriff.

“Well I think it’s important for the next sheriff really move things forward. (I’ve) Been doing this for 22 years now and I think it’s a great way to cap off a very, very good career that I’ve enjoyed and I would like to end my career as sheriff.”

He last ran for Greene County Sheriff in 2009 and adds that there’s one component of his campaign that he’s running on again this time around.

“We’re not going to get more deputies necessarily to get more proactive patrol time. So using software and technology to get more efficient in the office is going to generate time that we can allocate then to proactive patrol time.”

He and Chief Deputy Jack Williams will be on the Republican ballot for the June 7th primary election.