Mark Garton issued a press release today, which can be found by clicking HERE or it is also listed below in plain text:
September 11th, 2015
Yesterday, Polk Co. Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mark Garton turned in nearly 800 signatures to the Polk County Clerk’s Office to become an official candidate for Polk County Sheriff. He is seeking to replace retiring Sheriff Bob Wolfe, who will retire Nov. 30 after serving as Sheriff for over 16 years and as a law enforcement officer for nearly 39 years.
Over the past three weeks, volunteers and supporters of Garton began to collect signatures so that he could file for the office of Sheriff by petition. Garton wanted to talk to citizens directly about public safety issues affecting the county.
“The opportunity to interact with citizens in the community and talk about real issues that affect them should be the focus of the Sheriff and his deputies,” said Garton. “People deserve to feel safe and secure in their homes and during their travels throughout Polk County and as your next Sheriff, your safety is my priority.”
Garton has lived his entire life in Polk County and has been with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for 18. He began as volunteer cadet at age 17 and later a reserve deputy prior to working as a corrections deputy, patrol deputy, detective, patrol sergeant and in his current assignment as the Detective Sergeant. As the Detective Sergeant, Mark supervised the Polk County Inter Agency Narcotics Team (POINT) and is also the Polk County Major Crimes Team supervisor as well as working general criminal investigations.
Garton lives in Dallas with his wife, Stefanie and their two sons, Jackson and Bryson. “As lifelong residents of Polk County, Stefanie and I are vested in this community and I would be honored to serve as your next Sheriff,” said Garton. “I’m also honored to have the endorsement of Sheriff Wolfe and I am truly grateful for his support, but I also want to earn the support of the public and I will work everyday towards earning that support, as it is not given easily.”
Thank you,
Mark Garton