Incumbent Lincoln County Sheriff Jeff Jaeger has announced he will not be seeking re-election this year. Two candidates have come forward to succeed Jaeger: Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Senior Patrol Lieutenant Ken Schneider and Merrill Police Officer Pete Borchardt. Both candidates are running on the Republican ticket and will face off on the Aug. 14 partisan primary. The primary winner’s name will appear on the November general election ballot.
The Merrill Courier sat down with both candidates to discuss their backgrounds and their plans for the future of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Their responses follow:
Ken Schneider
Age: 54.
Current city of residence: Merrill.
Family: Lloyd and Dorothy Schneider (parents) brother and three sisters, four children.
Party Affiliation: Republican.
Education: MHS class of 1982; Associate Degree of Police Science-NTC 1985; Firearms Instructor Certification-Fox Valley Tech; TASER Instructor Certification- Fox Valley Tech; Less Lethal Weapons Instructor- Marathon County Sheriffs Office; Supervision of Police Personnel Training-Northwestern University-Evanston, IL; FBI (LEEDA) Leadership Course; ALICE Instructor-2016; Certified member of NORDEG.
Experience: Prior to law enforcement service, held local employment with Lincoln Wood, Semco, Weinbrenner, Les and Jims and Wendorf Bus Service; worked family farm south of Merrill; 27 years Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office; Corrections Officer-1990; Patrol Deputy-1993; Served as Firearms Instructor; SRT member; Promoted Patrol Sargent-1999 (title later transitioned to Lieutenant); SRT leader and later promoted to commander; held command position until retirement from SRT service; Interim Detective Bureau Supervisor; Interim E-911 Communications Center Supervisor; Courthouse Security Supervisor; third in command of Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (reporting to Chief Deputy and Sheriff); current Senior Patrol Lieutenant-Oversight of patrol division; currently facilitates inmate movement in conjunction with the Corrections Division and Courthouse Security Division; currently manages case flow from patrol division to detective division.
Involvement: Personal interests include hunting, shooting sports and road trips/site seeing; long time member of WRPR committee; attends Journey Church and St. John Lutheran Church.
Candidate Questionnaire–
1) Why have you chosen to run for the office of Lincoln County Sheriff?
“Current Sheriff Jaeger advised he was going to retire last fall and asked if I was going to run for sheriff. We had discussed me running for office several years before that. I had been attending supervisory classes, preparing myself for this opportunity. I believe I have the experience and proven leadership to take this agency in a positive direction.”
2) ) If there is a particular change(s) you would make-if any-upon being successfully elected to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office seat, what would the change(s) be?
“One change I would like to make if elected, is to expand the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office’s scope of drug investigations both large and small. I would like to utilize all resources available such as our new K9 units and deputies specially trained in drug interdiction, to combat the ongoing heroin and Methamphetamine problem in our area. I look forward to continuing to partner with local, state and federal agencies in furthering our campaign against the drug problem in Lincoln County.
“Another change I plan to implement is a transition from a traditional verbal briefing format to a digital briefing system. Currently, deputies must travel from their homes to the sheriff’s office at the beginning of their shift for a verbal briefing. They then must return to the office from wherever their patrol tour ended for their shift, for an end-of-shift verbal briefing. By incorporating a digital briefing system, deputies can receive the information remotely to their patrol vehicles and begin and end their shifts immediately, rather than waste time and fuel returning to the office.
“If elected, while I may be the sheriff and the lead decision maker on prospective changes, those responsible for bringing change to fruition is the men and women of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. So on that note, I look forward to meeting with our staff to listen and evaluate any changes they envision for the future of our agency.”
3) What do you feel will be the greatest challenge you will face upon successful election to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office?
“I feel one of the greatest challenges the future sheriff of Lincoln County will face is that of the increasing pattern and sophistication of internet crimes; especially crimes against children and elderly. Staying on top of the dynamic nature of these offenses and trying to stay ahead of the criminal activity via specialized training are additional challenges related to this unfortunate trend.
“The other big challenge that lies ahead is turning around the overall decline in law enforcement recruitment. Due to several factors, agencies nationwide have seen a drastic reduction in qualified applicants. Unfortunately we have felt that effect here at home in Lincoln County. How to address that matter and find a solution will be a definite challenge, as it has been for chiefs and sheriffs across the country.”
4) If you could pick one lesson or concept you have learned, which will be a benefit to you as Lincoln County Sheriff, what would that be
“I have always advised new deputies of my firm belief of nothing being more important than your integrity. Integrity takes years to develop but can be destroyed within a matter of a single action. I will carry this very same concept with me as your sheriff, if elected August 14 and will make it my guiding principle in everything I do as your Lincoln County Sheriff.”
Pete Borchardt
Age: 43.
Current city of residence: Merrill.
Family: Wife, Marci; children, Mason (14), Matthew (21), Macy (23), Marissa (26).
Party Affiliation: Republican.
Education: MHS Class of 1993; UWSP-Bach. of Economics Dec. 1997; Professional Training- NTC-Police Recruit Training 1996, First Line Supervisor training, Leadership in Police Organizations Training- Specialized supervisory training, Drug Investigator Training-Department Criminal Investigations (DCI), ARIDE Training-Drug and Alcohol training, Advanced Interviewing for Law Enforcement Investigators-FBI, Death Investigation School- DCI, DARE Officer Training.
Experience: Nov. 1996-May 1999-Police Officer Village of Athens; Jan. 1998-May 1999 Dispatcher Merrill Police Department; May 1999-Present Police Officer Merrill Police Department; 2004-2012-DARE Officer Merrill Police Department-Public and parochial schools.
Involvement: Former president of Merrill Professional Police Association-2 years; Former President of Merrill Police Benevolent Association-2 years; State Board Member Law Enforcement Torch Run Special Olympics-several years; Current member of Merrill Golf Booster Club; Vice-President of Faith Lutheran Church; Merrill Silver M Club Member; Merrill Lions Club Member; Merrill Historical Society Member; Social and Sick Benefit Society Member; small business owner since 2014-Clear Cut Range LLC; previously employed Merrill Gravel and Construction, grew up on a farm in Hamburg.
Candidate Questionnaire–
1) Why have you chosen to run for the office of Lincoln County Sheriff?
“I know I can make a difference at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for the people of Lincoln County. My goal is to improve the services the sheriff’s office provides as well as efficiency of those services, I will evaluate all operational costs and capital expenses to determine the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars. I know we can improve services while cutting costs. I am a regular guy who simply wishes to provide the best possible services to regular people.”
2) If there is a particular change(s) you would make-if any-upon being successfully elected to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office seat, what would the change(s) be?
“I intend to develop better relationships with other local agencies, including local law enforcement, fire departments, social services, etc. I will properly address our Lincoln County drug problems. I also plan to look at possible internal changes within the sheriff’s office.
“Not being a current member of the Sheriff’s Office gives me an unbiased perspective. Successful organizations need checks and balances. I will be a genuine representative of the people, while serving as a true team leader focused on our goals. I will stress doing what’s right for the people we serve, rather than serving our own interests. Two areas I would take a focused look at is improving the current courtroom security program and I intend to evaluate the take-home squad program in its entirety. I will not allow Lincoln County squads to be taken home to other counties. I will also determine whether the current program is cost efficient.”
3) What do you feel will be the greatest challenge you will face upon successful election to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
“The greatest challenge will be gaining the support of current Sheriff’s Office supervisory staff. Given this is a very competitive election, I feel the current Sheriff’s Office supervisors (Lieutenants) oppose my candidacy because I am a candidate from outside the sheriff’s office.”
“I feel one of my biggest hurdles will be gaining the trust and respect of those individuals. But I know it will happen over time. Technically, I may be considered an outsider due to not being employed within the sheriff’s office, but I have in fact worked side by side with current staff on a daily basis. This is the second time in county history a City of Merrill police officer campaigned for the office of Lincoln County Sheriff.”
4) If you could pick one lesson or concept you have learned, which will be a benefit to you as Lincoln County Sheriff, what would that be?
“Learning to ‘Always doing the right thing.’ Those have always been my ‘words to live by’ so to speak and has become my campaign motto this year. If you always do the right thing, you can’t go wrong. I will do what’s right for the people of Lincoln County if elected as your sheriff on August 14.”