Six candidates for Elkhart County Sheriff stressed their police work and life experiences that help make them the best person to lead department and serve as chief law enforcement officer of the county, as they spoke before a crowd Thursday evening at a forum sponsored by the Elkhart County Young Republicans.

Four current members of the sheriff’s department, one retired officer and a former Elkhart police chief are seeking the Republican nomination in May for the sheriff’s race in the fall.

The candiates are current Undersheriff Julie Dijkstra, retired detective Jim Mahaffa, administrators Ron Robinson and Brad Rogers, detective Jeff Troxel and chief investigator for the prosecutor’s office William “Bill” Wargo.

After a reception at the Matterhorn restaurant in Elkhart Thursday, each candidate was given three minutes to introduce themselves, then each answered six questions prepared by the young Republicans about crime and running the sheriff’s department. Then each person had three more minutes to give a summary.

Dijkstra, 53, Nappanee, pointed out she has been with the sheriff’s department 25 years Thursday, which was her anniversary day. Her experience includes two years in the jail, seven on patrol and nine more years in administration before she was named second in command by Sheriff Mike Books seven years ago.

Sheriff Books has served two consecutive terms and is prohibited from seeking a third term.

When asked why she is seeking the job of sheriff, Dijkstra said she wants “to continue the good work we’ve done. We’ve made a lot of progress, but we can do more.”

The sheriff’s job is not a one-issue job, she said, but includes police work, Constitutional issues and politics.

“The continuity of leadership is important. I have the experience to continue that leadership,” she concluded.

Mahaffa, 55, Bristol, told the group he has 30 years of police experience and retired from the sheriff’s department in 2005. He said he is a part-time officer with the Notre Dame police department. He said he decided to run for the sheriff’s job on Memorial Day 2008.

“It is important to give the sheriff’s department back to the citizens of Elkhart County,” Mahaffa began. He told the group that he has signed a “contract” with the citizens of the county and pledges to implement proactive change and accountability for the department with the residents, among eight issues. He said his administrative changes would be made the first year in office.

He urged those present to take a copy of his contract to read.

Robinson, 49, who lives north of Goshen, has been in the sheriff’s department for 26 years. Like Dijkstra, he began his career in the jail, served in patrol and as a detective but has been a division commander for 13 years.

He said he is the only candidate who has served in all the divisions of the department, serving under four sheriffs. “I feel I can take something from each of the sheriff’s I served under,” he said.

Rogers, 48, Goshen, has been with the department 23 years and married to his wife, Susie for 26 years.

“My motto in the campaign is ‘serving you,’” Rogers said “To be a good leader, you must first be a good servant.”

The demands of the sheriff’s department are extreme, he said, because police are called to negative situations. “You need a person to set a moral and ethical compass,” he said. “I’m a true Republican. I am conservative on social issues, people issues. You need a guardian of the Constitution.”

The youngest candidate, Troxel is 43 and a Wakarusa native. He is serving his second term on the Wakarusa Town Council, serving as president. He also began his career in the jail, worked 12 years on patrol and the past seven years as a detective.

“It has been a goal of mine since joining the department. I think I have the heart to be sheriff,” said Troxel, who also serves the community working in several organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club.

He said his time in the department as been “the best for me.” He said he is in touch with the community and spends time out in his community.

“I took the job to make a difference. I want to made a difference as your next sheriff. I look forward to being your sheriff,” Troxel said.

Wargo, 63, Elkhart, began in law enforcement in California after serving in the military. He returned to Elkhart in 1971 and served on the city police department until 1994. He was chief of police and led the administration of that large department, he said. He is currently chief investigator for the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office.

“This job is one of the most important on so many levels,” Wargo began. He said the sheriff must manage tax dollars.

Wargo pointed out that while there are 198,000 residents in the county, about 11,000 are expected to vote in the spring primary. He suggested that the winner in the Republican primary will be elected to the post in the fall. He said the six applicants for that job were in the room.

Wargo said the next sheriff needs the capability to organize, but also have a heart to do the job.

In his campaign material, he used a county government “job posting” form for the sheriff’s job and attached his own resume to it.

Wargo said he “has the totality of experience” to serve as sheriff. He urged everyone to register to vote.

The primary election in Indiana is set for May 4.