Retired deputy declares candidacy for sheriff

Lambertville's Redmond running as Democrat

3/7/2012

LAMBERTVILLE -- Lambertville resident Tom Redmond has announced he is running for Monroe County sheriff.

Mr. Redmond spent almost 37 years with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, retiring in 2010 as a sergeant, and holds part-time jobs as a sergeant with the Dundee Police Department and as an officer with Erie Township.

"I have aspired my whole career to be the sheriff of Monroe County," Mr. Redmond, 62, said. "I genuinely care about everybody and I treat everybody fairly."

Incumbent Sheriff Tilman Crutchfield, a Democrat, took office in 1997 and has not announced if he will run again. He could not be reached for comment. The other announced candidate is Dale Malone, a retired major from the sheriff's office, who also is a Democrat.

Mr. Redmond said he has the highest regard for Sheriff Crutchfield and told him of his plan to run for office.

"I wanted to let him know what I was doing because he was my boss. He told me he was undecided. I have nothing but the most sincere respect for that man and everything he has done for Monroe County, but I am not afraid to say that I think it is time for a change. Tilman is not my boss any more," he explained.

The Democratic field will be narrowed to one in the Aug. 7 primary. That candidate will go on the November ballot and could face a Republican, a write-in candidate, or a candidate with no affiliation.

Mr. Redmond said he is in the race to stay, no matter what the sheriff decides to do. He said a high priority for him as sheriff would be to increase the number of deputies on the road, a difficult task given the county's pinched budgets and reduced staffing in the sheriff's office.

"I will go in there with an open mind," he said. "I don't have any intention of tearing down anything the sheriff has built up. I would like to relieve the problem of officers on road patrol. I believe the sheriff has done everything he could, but I believe I have some other options that I don't want to elaborate on."

The Redmond campaign's first fund-raiser will be from 6 to 9 p.m. April 21 at Sidelines Sports Eatery and Pub in Lambertville. Mr. Redmond said he also will have meet-and-greet events and go door to door.

His career with the sheriff's office included 22 years as a detective. "I was the very first detective assigned to the Bedford substation," he said. This was from 1997 to early 2009.

Mr. Redmond was born in Kentucky and was an infant when his family moved to Monroe. He attended Monroe Public Schools and graduated from the high school in 1967. He then attended Michigan Christian College, Monroe Community College, and Wayne State University.

He served three years in the Army, which trained him as a military police officer. His military service included a stint in Germany. As a deputy, he also worked road patrol and was a resource officer at Monroe High School. He also has worked at the jail as fire control and booking officer and midnight supervisor. He was Monroe County Deputy of the Year in 1979 and Officer of the Year in 2001. Bedford Township officials honored him by declaring a Detective Tom Redmond Day in 2001.

Mr. Redmond and his wife, Darlene, have been married for 16 years and have four daughters and seven grandchildren. They have been Bedford Township residents for 18 years. His memberships include the Dundee Senior Center, the Dundee Sportsman Club, the Bedford Senior Center, the Bedford Business Association, and the Association of County Retired Employees.