NATCHEZ — Adam Wyatt Kirk formally announces his position as an independent candidate for the office of Adams County Sheriff.

“I firmly believe that a Sheriff should be free from bias, personal conflict and political affiliation,” Kirk said. “The Sheriff’s responsibility should always be to enforce the law fairly and equally, provide leadership and form partnerships within his jurisdiction and to uphold the Constitution and protect the Constitutional Rights of his citizens. I pledge my word of honor to do just that.”

Kirk said he encourages every citizen to examine each candidate in every race and make a well-informed decision when casting their vote.

“Our community depends on you, the voters,” Kirk said. 

Kirk is a proud U.S. Army combat veteran and a life-long resident of Adams County. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church.

Kirk has served as a law enforcement officer since he was discharged in 2006.

Kirk has served in many leadership roles during his career, including patrol supervisor, special response team commander/training officer and Roxie chief of police and has a strong background in management and organizational improvement. For the past three years, he has served as Adams County Constable.

Kirk’s qualifications include:

*U.S. Army Combat Veteran- Served as a Cavalry Scout in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004-2006.

*Graduated Louisiana State Police Academy in 2006

*Graduated Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy in 2007

*Law Enforcement Training Continued: Advanced Patrol Operations Certification, K-9 Handler Certification, FBI Tactical Handgun Course, SWAT School Graduate, First Line Supervisor Certification, Department Administration/ Police Chief Certification, Anti-Terrorism Training Academy Graduate, various other Law Enforcement continued education hours.

*Regional Counter-Drug Training Academy — more than 400 hours of training, certifications include Criminal Patrol, Survival Spanish, Street Drug Enforcement, High Risk Warrant Planning Level 1, High Risk Operations Level 2, High Risk Operations Level 3, Back Country Tactics and Tracking, Unarmed Defense Instructor, Edged Weapons Instructor, Basic Narcotics Investigations.

*D.A.R.E. ( Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Instructor Graduate.

*Instructor Certifications: Defensive Tactics Instructor, Use of Force /Civil Liability Instructor, Ground Combatives Instructor, Unarmed Defense Instructor, Edged Weapons Instructor/ Specialist. Sigma 3 Survival Instructor/ 45 day Instructor Program Graduate. Scout Survival/ 7 day Knife Only Graduate. SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape ) Graduate.

*FEMA — Emergency Manager Certification

*Safety/ Organizational Performance Improvement Background: Certified Site Safety Technician/ Supervisor ( NCCER) OSHA 30, Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) , Total Organizational Performance Improvement Specialist, Human Performance Trainer.

*Law Enforcement Positions Held:  Patrol, K-9, Narcotics, Investigations, SWAT Operator/Commander, Supervisor, Training Officer, Roxie Police Chief, Probation and Parole Agent, Drug Court Probation Officer, Adams County Constable.

*Memberships/ Affiliations: VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars Lifetime Member; U.S. Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts; American Black Belt Association; Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association and Mississippi Constables Association.

“I love this community and it’s people. It has  been an honor to serve you and I ask for the opportunity to continue to serve as your Sheriff,” Kirk said. “I believe many changes are needed within the Sheriff’s Office; fiscally and organizationally.”

Kirk said if he is elected, he will work tirelessly to implement the necessary strategies and policies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement services.

“I believe my time in law enforcement and leadership combined with my experience in organizational improvement and management have prepared me for this role,” Kirk said. Thank you all for your time and consideration.”