VOTERS WILL PICK CAPE COUNTY SHERIFF TO FILL UNEXPIRED, TWO-YEAR TERM

After a 33-year career in law enforcement, 29 of them with the Missouri Highway Patrol, Benny Hinton is ready to go a new direction and wants to be elected sheriff of Cape Girardeau County.

After more than 14 years working as a deputy sheriff, John Jordan wants to make the ultimate step in county law enforcement by becoming sheriff of Cape County.

Voters will decide between the two Nov. 8 in an election for the remaining two years of former Sheriff Norman Copeland's term. Copeland resigned Aug. 1 and on Aug. 4 Democrats chose Hinton and Republicans picked Jordan to be their nominees from crowded fields of applicants.

"A deputy has to fulfill all obligations and duties of sheriff, the only difference is he is appointed, not elected," Jordan said. "I am not trying to change horses in the middle of the stream. I want to continue what I have done the last 14 1/2 years, but more in a leadership role than now."

Jordan, who is 33 and 23 years younger than Hinton, said age shouldn't be a factor in the race because of his "experience where it counts," as a deputy.

Hinton retired from the highway patrol after getting the nomination and said he looked forward to an opportunity to leave the road work of the patrol and do administrative police work.

"I wanted to go in that direction and then this opportunity came up," Hinton said.

He points out that his background has prepared him to handle the jail and courts that are part of the sheriff's office.

"It's all police work related, just a different perspective of it," he said.

"My years of service from serving in the Marines, four years with the Cape police, and 29 years as sheriff all put together gives me the maturity and experience to be a good sheriff," Hinton said.

Jordan is on leave of absence from the department where he serves as one of four lieutenants and oversees criminal investigations.

If elected he said he wouldn't have to learn office policies and procedures or the people who work there.

"I have a proven track record with the department and people there know me and trust me," he said.

Jordan has the endorsement of Copeland, a fellow Republican, who is chairman of his campaign committee. Copeland hired Jordan from the Bollinger County sheriff's department in 1986, where he was serving as "one of the youngest chief deputies ever in the sate of Missouri."

While campaigning, Jordan said many people ask who Copeland is for and take notice of his endorsement.

Copeland was credited with turning a department in shambles into a first-class operation during his eight years in office.

When Copeland retired from the patrol in 1983, Hinton replaced him as zone commander in Cape Girardeau County.

Among those endorsing Hinton are Republican Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep, a longtime friend of Copeland's, and interim sheriff Leonard Hines, who served as Copeland's chief deputy.

Jordan promises if elected to use his experience and "proven track record fighting crime," to work with other agencies to deal with crime and drugs.

In January 1991, Jordan was elected commander of the Cape-Bollinger County Major Case Squad, which solved 11 of 12 homicides with arrests during his tenure.

Jordan also points to two drug operations he has supervised, in 1988 and 1990, that resulted in grand juries being impaneled and a high rate of convictions.

"I am the only candidate who has actively participated in hand-to-hand buys from drug dealers," he said. "I have bought cocaine, LSD and marijuana, only to return at a later date and put cuffs on them, and then at a later date testified against them in court."

He said cooperation with other agencies will be effective not only with fighting drugs but also gang problems.

Hinton agrees that cooperation among law-enforcement agencies "is of vital importance" to fighting crime and drugs.

He said organizations like the major case squad are effective tools.

"You definitely need that cooperation," he said. "From serving on the patrol I have a good relationship with other agencies in this county, around the area, and all over the state. They all know me and trust me."

As sheriff, Hinton said he would continue efforts to use the latest technology and continue rigorous training programs for deputies.

Both candidates see a need to consider expanding the size of the 40-member department.

"I think the department is functioning OK now," Hinton said, "but with the courts expanding and the out-county pool growing, I would want to look at areas where we need to expand. As the county grows, the department will have to."

Jordan said the department has many quality people. But because of the increased load serving papers for the courts, there aren't enough man-hours devoted to routine patrol in the county.

He would like to see the patrol division spending more time on the road.

BIOGRAPHIES

Benny Hinton

Born and raised in Cape Cape Girardeau. Son of the late Dewey Hinton, a former fire chief and city fire commissioner.

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Southeast Missouri State University. Officer of the State Troopers Association.

Active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, SEMO Booster Club, Masonic Lodge and New McKendree United Methodist Church.

Married to Nelda Ruth Hinton with three children and one granddaughter.

John Jordan

Native of Bollinger County.

Began working for the sheriff's department at Marble Hill in 1980 under former sheriff Edward Graham.

Has received training from state and federal agencies, and from the Missouri Highway Patrol's law and drug enforcement academies.

Served as treasurer of the county Republican Central Committee.

Member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Harmony Methodist Church and the Jackson Chamber.

Wife, Cathy. They have two children, ages 5 and 2.

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY SHERIFF

Candidates: Republican John Jordan, 33; now serving as lieutenant for sheriff's department, overseeing criminal investigations. Democrat Benny Hinton, 56, retired Sept. 1 from highway patrol after 29-year career.

Current sheriff: Leonard Hines, appointed interim sheriff by county commission following resignation of Norman Copeland Aug. 1.

Duties: Responsible for overseeing a department with 40 employees and $1.2 million annual budget. Office is responsible for serving legal papers for the courts, administering the jail and transporting prisoners, and providing law enforcement in the out-county area.

Term: The remaining two years of Copeland's four-year term that expires Dec. 31, 1996.

Salary: $43.000.