Sheriff Vasquez’s final letter to the citizens of Pinal County

I want to take this opportunity, in my last letter to the citizens of Pinal County as your sheriff, to thank those who voted for me, and the many supporters who helped me on my campaign. The citizens of Pinal County voted and elected Paul Babeu as our next sheriff. Mr. Babeu is the better politician than I, and I congratulate him and his supporters on their victory. I wish Sheriff-elect Babeu much success as I do leave him a very good law enforcement agency to lead.

The Office of Sheriff is one of the most prestigious offices in the United States. I count it an honor and a privilege to have held the office and served you, the citizens of Pinal County. I believe I brought honor and integrity to the office and served you well, and I am leaving a strong foundation for Sheriff-elect Babeu to work from.

I am proud of the race we ran, a positive campaign based on who is the most experienced and the many accomplishments made since 2005. I believe I am leaving the sheriff’s office a better place than when I first assumed office. I have no regrets as sheriff or how I ran my campaign.

The deputies are the 14th highest paid in the state, and the detention officers are the highest paid in the corrections field. I brought upgraded technology to the sheriff’s office, such as computers and dash-mounted radars as standard equipment in each patrol vehicle. We enhanced our radio dispatch and 9-1-1 center to better deal with the dramatic increase in calls for service. The size of the sheriff’s office increased from about 500 in 2005 to more than 665 full-time paid employees. Our volunteer services increased from 45 in 2005 to 180 volunteers who serve Pinal County in the nationally-recognized Victim’s Services Unit, armed Posse, mounted unit, two Citizens on Patrol units and in various administrative units in the department.

Communication with the citizens greatly improved with members of the department and myself attending HOA meetings, Block Watch programs and many service organizations around the county. The sheriff’s office was instrumental in creating a countywide anti-substance abuse coalition. The countywide coalition helped create two smaller community coalitions in Maricopa and Apache Junction. We developed partnerships with agencies such as Casa Grande Against Abuse, CAHRA, United Way, Casa Grande Valley Boys & Girls Club, Apache Junction Boys & Girls Club, CAFA of Apache Junction, Copper Basin YMCA and the San Manual Elks for their annual Operation Graduation.

Because of all our efforts Pinal County is a safer place to live, work and raise our children. This year, for the first time in many, Pinal County realized an actual decrease in its crime rate. This is due to the hard work of the many deputies and criminal investigators dedicated to stopping crime in our neighborhoods. Because of their dedication, many serious crimes were solved within 48 hours. Most noted was the Amber Hess murder case and a perfect Amber Alert out of the City of Maricopa where the child was recovered within hours and the suspect brought to justice. Both these cases received national recognition. With establishment of photo radar and a traffic unit, accidents around the county are also on the decline. The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, deputies and the Pinal County Narcotics Task Force took several tons of drugs and narcotics off the streets of Pinal County, arresting hundreds of drug dealers and seizing thousands of dollars of their assets.

Although I lost the Sheriff’s race, I am still a winner because of all of the new friends who came into my life over the last four years, both citizens and members of the department. I made true friends. There are so many of you to thank for the work you did and support you gave that I won’t attempt to name each of you as I am afraid I will forget someone. But most of all I want to thank my wife, Patricia, who stood by me through the campaign and during my tenure as Sheriff. I love you with all my heart.

There is a scripture in the Bible that reads, “In all things give thanks unto God.” Even in defeat I give Glory, Honor and thanks to my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I believe this is not the end but only the beginning. God has something bigger and better for me.

Thank you and until another day, another time, in another capacity, take care and may God Bless.

Chris Vasquez
Sheriff

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