UPCOMING PRIMARY TO DECIDE SCOTT COUNTY RACE

BENTON, Mo. -- Rick Walter thinks Scott County can be a safer place for residents and families. Bill Ferrell knows the county, the people, and wants to continue working for them.

Both men are vying for the post of Scott County Sheriff, with a salary of $47,150. Voters heading to the polls Aug. 8 will elect a sheriff since both men filed as Democrats and face no Republican competition. Ferrell is an incumbent.

Walter, 39, is a former deputy for the department and thinks his experience there and as a reserve officer for Oran, Mo., will help him in the job.

He acknowledges that running against a 24-year veteran will be a struggle but law enforcement is "something I really enjoy and I'm pretty good at it," he said.

Walter currently works as a project coordinator for Penzel Construction Co., but has experience in local law enforcement.

He has been a law enforcement officer in the state since 1987. He is a reserve officer with the Oran department and has been a member of the sheriff's reserve unit for 10 years. He also was commander of a county reserve unit for six years.

Ferrell, 60, has been the Scott County sheriff since 1976 and would like to continue his work, particularly to see the completion of a new county jail.

"I've been lucky to be sheriff," he said. The county has not had an unsolved murder during his time in office nor has there been any jail escapes or prisoner deaths. Ferrell attributes that to the efficiency and capability of his deputies.

"We have a good department and that makes a difference," he said. Having good employees can make the difference between having a difficult job and an easy one, he said.

The changes in the department have been tremendous during the past 24 years, but some of that is due to an increase in population and criminal activity in the county. Scott County is still a community that is growing, he said.

Walter thinks the county department could run more efficiently and make better use of taxpayer dollars. He would like to see officers have better training and address problems with the rising numbers of methamphetamine labs and drug crimes.

Among his qualifications for office, he lists training in street survival, defensive tactics and clandestine laboratories. He has also had training courses offered by the Missouri Sheriffs' Training Academy and firefighting and arson investigations offered by the University of Missouri-Columbia.

SCOTT COUNTY SHERIFF CANDIDATES

Bill Ferrell

Age: 60

Hometown: Sikeston

Party: Democrat

Job history: Has been sheriff for 24 years. Was previously county assessor and worked as a criminal investigator for the county prosecuting attorney's office.

Education: Graduate of Sikeston public schools; three years college education.

Personal: Wife, Sharon, four children and four grandchildren.

Rick Walter

Age: 39

Hometown: Scott City

Party: Democrat

Job history: Currently employed as project coordinator for Penzel Construction Co. Has worked as an officer with the sheriff's department and is currently a reserve officer with the Oran Police Department.

Education: Graduate of Oran public schools. Has attended training courses for law enforcement through Missouri State Law Enforcement Academy and State Highway Patrol.

Personal: Wife, Lisa, and three children. Member of Oran Baptist Church.