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Kenneth Roy Golden announces his candidacy for Bryan County Sheriff. Golden, 58, says he has always loved the law enforcement profession. He believes that all people are in pursuit of simple things: freedom, liberty and justice.

“Every day we lose a little more freedom and liberty and that bothers me, as it should bother everyone,” Golden said. “I want to serve the people of Bryan County and ensure that no one takes away those rights.

“Justice is for the victim as well as the offender. We all have an obligation to tell the truth and keep ourselves aware of those who do not always tell the truth and break the laws to serve their purpose.”

There are three other things Golden said he believes in. Number one is never miss an opportunity to tell your friends and family you love them. Number two, don’t be a braggart. Number three: Never take the blame for something you didn’t do and above all else be honest to yourself first.

Golden believes in drug awareness in our schools and will work closely with the schools, organizations and parents to keep drug awareness a number one priority.

“There needs to be more citizen awareness with respect to law enforcement and what we can and cannot do,” Golden said. “Citizens of Bryan County need to be aware of the financial budget of the sheriff’s department. I know how to budget and run the sheriff’s office because of my position as undersheriff.

“Elderly abuse and the responsibility to report it is a growing concern in Bryan County and I am willing to work with the various organizations to take care of this problem. I realize that no one can change everything overnight, but, we can start today and change many things.”

Golden has worked for the Atoka Fire Department, Atoka Police Department and the Atoka County Sheriff’s Department. Golden joined the 1/180 45th Infantry Oklahoma National Guard, an organization that he is proud to call family. He was a park ranger at Boggy Depot before moving to California, where he attended the College of the Redwoods. He was a police officer for the Rio Del Police Department in California.

In December 1991, Golden deployed to Fort Ord, California, and then to the Middle East, where he served with the 970th Military Police assigned to the 800th Brigade. While there, he was promoted to sergeant, and his company operated an interrogation facility. After being released from duty, he turned to the police department, and in October 1992, he moved his family back to Oklahoma, and he later interviewed with the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office.

“On December 31 … I received a call to be at the courthouse at 12:00,” Golden said. “We were sworn in and took office that day with Sheriff Bill Sturch … I would not trade that time for anything. The past near 20 years have been the best.”

In 2002 while serving with the HHC 1-180 Infantry, Golden deployed to the Sinai in Egypt for the Multinational Force and Observers. Golden was named Bryan County Undersheriff in August 2002, following the passing of then-Undersheriff Bill Hamby, a man Golden admires greatly, and Golden has held that position since then.

He is still a member of the Delta Company 700 Support attached to the 180th Cavalry, Oklahoma Army National Guard in McAlester.

Golden’s vision for the sheriff’s office includes:

- Putting more deputies on the streets

- Twenty-four-hour patrol

- Maintain inmate population and security

- Work details using inmate workers along roads and county property

- Training with emergency management to be better prepared for emergency situations

- More assistance with Bryan County ambulance and rural fire departments

- Promote citizen-involved programs, including neighborhood watch and citizen patrol

- Return to the DARE programs and youth involvement

- Continue filing for state and federal grants for vehicles and equipment

- Maintain an open door to the public for suggestions and cooperation