Myers announces Republican candidacy for Anderson County sheriff

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Randy Myers has announced he will run for Anderson County sheriff in the May 6 Republican primary.

Myers is the second Republican candidate to announce he is running for the seat now held by Sheriff Paul White, a Democrat, in the 2014 election.

In a press release, Myers said he has been a law enforcement officer for 24 years and has worked as a patrol officer, criminal investigator, domestic violence officer, hostage negotiator, Crisis Intervention Team officer, and public relations officer.

Myers said he is a “hands-on leader with a proven track record of success in engaging the community.”

Under his supervision, the active committee membership of a Neighborhood Watch Program grew from six members to 26 members, and active community participation grew more than 500 percent in three years, the press release said. He also helped implement area programs such as Volunteers In Police Service (V.I.P.S.), Operation Medicine Cabinet and Project Life Saver, and CIT Task Force. He has also served as a member of the Anderson County Child Abuse Review Team and the Child Protection Investigation Team.

Myers said he is uniquely prepared for the job of Anderson County sheriff on at least two important fronts. First, his service as a court liaison gave him the opportunity to work more frequently within the Anderson County court system, and that experience helped him develop a strong rapport with many of the key participants of the local criminal justice system, the press release said.

In addition, Myers said, he knows what it takes to work in a U.S. Department of Energy host community. He worked for Wackenhut Security Services for more than four years and possesses a high security “Q” clearance and DOE-specific training in firearms, radiation, and HAZMAT, or hazardous materials.

“For me, it boils down to my ability to solve problems through relationships, which are based on the trust I’ve established within and throughout the county,” Myers said. “I will apply those assets toward resolving critical issues such as the jail dispute, decreasing response times, and maximizing limited resources to the betterment of our force and our community. I have been and will continue to be committed to Anderson County.”

You can meet Myers at Rainbow Florists in Security Square on Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. or at the Norris Community Center on Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m.

Myers earned his bachelor’s degree from The Sure Foundation Theological Institute and his associate’s degree in police science from Roane State Community College. He is a certified police officer trained and certified in multiple disciplines such as drug interdiction, domestic violence, narcotics, hostage negotiation, forensics, and elder abuse by agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and East Tennessee State University.

He is the founder and chief executive officer of an international ministry that earned him the designation of Biltmore’s Who’s Who Among Executives. As a certified national police chaplain, he has served as a chaplain for FOP Lodge #77, Claxton Volunteer Fire Department, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.

His awards include “TOP COP” Award for ACSO (1996), Life Saving Medal from the American Police Hall of Fame (1997), City of Clinton (1997), Clinton FOP Lodge #25 (1997), Meritorious Certificate (1998), President of Cops For Christ; Belle, WV Chapter from 1993 to 1995.

Myers has been a resident of Anderson County for almost 20 years and is currently a resident of Clinton, where he lives with his wife Lisa and their three children, Daniel, Sarah, and Rebekah.

He said his main objective is “to ensure the safety of the Anderson County people, as well as hold the sheriff’s office to a higher standard and increased accountability.”