HINTON, JORDAN WIN SHERIFF BIDS

JACKSON -- Longtime state highway Patrolman Benny Hinton and Cape Girardeau County sheriff's Lt. John Jordon were nominated by their respective political party committees Thursday night to run for an unexpired term as Cape County sheriff.

Hinton, 55, was chosen on the first ballot by the Democratic committee from a field of four candidates. Jordon, 33, was chosen on the second ballot from a field of five candidates by the Republican committee.

The two party committees met across the street from each other in Jackson, following a statutory requirement to nominate candidates to run for the remaining two years of Sheriff Norman Copeland's term. Democrats met in the circuit courtroom and took a little longer than an hour to finish their business; Republicans met in the basement of the county administration building for about two and one-half hours.

Copeland's resignation as sheriff took effect Monday. His former chief deputy, Leonard Hines, is interim sheriff.

Both Hinton and Jordon credited Copeland for much of their knowledge in law enforcement and praised the former sheriff in remarks before the committees.

Hinton said he believes the Democratic committee turned to him because his background is similar to Copeland's.

Hinton, who like Copeland has had a 29-year career with the highway patrol, replaced Copeland as zone commander in Jackson when Copeland retired from the patrol in 1983.

"I think Copeland was a very good sheriff," said Hinton. "Being on the highway patrol provides good training, and I think my having a similar background to Copeland's helped me get the nomination."

Jordon worked for the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department and had moved up to chief deputy before he was hired by Copeland to work in Cape County. Under Copeland, Jordon worked as a lieutenant in charge of investigations.

Jordon stressed his knowledge of the department. "My major experience is in dealing with this county's sheriff's department," said Jordon. He said he is prepared to serve as sheriff.

Both pledged to work hard to win the election in November.

"I won't let you down," said Jordon, who is treasurer of the Republican committee. He thanked committee members for entrusting him with the nomination.

Hinton said he will retire from the patrol since he has the nomination and will begin campaigning full time.

"I feel confident I can do the job," said Hinton. "I have 29 years with the patrol and four years with the Cape Police Department. I would like to help the citizens of Cape County any way I can. It is very much an honor to be chosen, and I am overwhelmed by the support and the confidence shown in me."

Hinton's wife, Nelda Ruth, is a longtime member of the Democratic committee and serves as its vice chairman.

All of the candidates had time to address the committee, and most focused on their law-enforcement and administrative experience, and their ability to wage a successful campaign.

Fifty-five Democratic committee members attended, and Hinton got a majority of votes. Other candidates were Doug Richards, director of public safety at Southeast Missouri State University; Mike Hurst, a lieutenant in charge of jail administration at the sheriff's department; and Sgt. Al Moore of the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

On the first ballot, Jordon was two votes shy of a majority among the 54 Republican committee members. On the second vote he moved over the top with 32 votes.

After the first vote, Rick Fehr, director of security at St. Francis Medical Center, and Jim Gregory, a former police officer, withdrew.

Steve Wilson, a Missouri Department of Conservation agent, and Capt. Steve Strong, second in command at the Cape Girardeau Police Department, finished second and third, respectively, by a margin of one vote.