Christensen running for sheriff

Tom Christensen is on the ticket for Hot Springs County Sheriff, but it’s not his first time running as he was in the 2014 election as well.

A native to Wyoming, Christensen graduated from high school in Newcastle. He noted his grandfather homesteaded there, on a ranch now over 100 years old. He moved to Thermopolis in the 1980s and has been a brand inspector for 12 years for District 3 including Hot Springs, Park, Fremont, Washakie and Big Horn counties.

He noted he’s also a been a professionally certified peace officer, detention officer and certified firearms instructor for the law enforcement academy. He’s attended the DEA drug school, interview and interrogation schools, and the internet crime school. And, since money was taken from the livestock board for investigators, meaning the sheriff’s office has to pick that up, he’s very familiar with the livestock laws.

Christensen said he sees a lot of problems still happening that he noticed when he ran last time, with no resolution. “I still see lots of drugs, and it doesn’t seem like anybody’s doing anything about it.” Other issues he sees are a lack of leadership in the sheriff’s office and mismanagement of the personnel we have.

He also thinks there needs to be physical fitness standards implemented. “I don’t want a deputy going down with a heart attack trying to save someone else’s life.” He also wants deputies to be accountable and make sure there is someone to respond any time of the day.

“I feel the sheriff’s office is the most important job in the county,” Christensen said. “The sheriff is responsible to protect and serve not only from criminals, but to be there to organize in case of a disaster.” He welcomes calls from anyone who as any questions for him.