Redmond gets cross-border endorsement

Tom Redmond, left, a candidate for Monroe County sheriff, is endorsed by James Telb, sheriff of Lucas County, right. Sheriff Telb is not seeking re-election this fall. Enlarge

LAMBERTVILLE -- Lambertville resident Tom Redmond, who is running for the office of Monroe County sheriff, has picked up the endorsement of the Lucas County sheriff.

James Telb, who has been in office for 28 years and is to retire at the end of this year, has thrown his support behind Mr. Redmond.

Sheriff Telb said this is the first time he has endorsed a sheriff's candidate in another county and is doing so because he has known and worked with Mr. Redmond for many years and considers him to be a dedicated, competent lawman who is well qualified for the office he seeks.

"I've known Tom for most of his career. He's been working with our detectives for years. I support him because I think it would be good for Lucas County to have someone we have known and worked with as the sheriff in a county on our border," he said.

Mr. Redmond, 62, 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.

Like Sheriff Telb, he is a Democrat. Other Democrats vying for the office are Charles Harrington, the owner of a Bolles Harbor marina and son of a former sheriff, and Dale Malone, a retired Monroe County deputy. The winner of the Aug. 7 party primary election will face Jan Jay, the only Republican in the race, in November.

Sheriff Telb said his department has worked closely with Mr. Redmond over the years on criminal investigations, homeland security, interoperable radio communications, search-and-rescue missions, and day-to-day issues and problems.

"He's made for the job," he said.

Mr. Redmond spent 22 years as a detective during his career, and was the first detective assigned to the Bedford substation. This was from 1997 to early 2009. He also worked at the Monroe County jail as 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.

-- Carl Ryan