Pubdate: Thu, 07 Mar 2002
Source: Mobile Register (AL)
Copyright: 2002 Mobile Register.
Contact:  http://www.al.com/mobileregister/today/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/269
Author: Steve Myers

DRUG INVESTIGATOR ENTERS SHERIFF'S OFFICE RACE

Kyle Callaghan, a Mobile County sheriff's narcotics investigator 
assigned to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, announced 
Wednesday that he is running for sheriff as a Republican.

Callaghan kicked off his campaign Wednesday night at the Knights of 
Columbus hall on Pleasant Valley Road.

His entry brings to seven the number of Republicans seeking the 
sheriff's office. Jack Tillman, a Republican, has held the post since 
1995 and is seeking re-election.

The other Republican candidates are: Gerald Deas, a retired sheriff's 
deputy who recently returned from serving as an international police 
officer; John Graham, the owner of a gym in west Mobile and a former 
Mobile police lieutenant; Tommy Menton, a Mobile police lieutenant; 
Murdock Thomas, a former deputy and now a church pastor; and Clint 
Ulmer, a Saraland businessman who owns a temporary staffing company.

Two Democrats have said they are running for sheriff: James Mayo, a 
former chief deputy in Tillman's administration; and Harry W. Bachus 
Jr., a commercial safety investigator and state constable.

Both primaries will be held June 4, with runoffs, if necessary, 
slated for June 25. The general election is Nov. 5. The office of 
sheriff currently pays about $90,000 a year.

Callaghan, 39, said he would focus on driving drug dealers from the 
county, partly by creating a 24-hour team of drug investigators that 
would work on short-term and long-term cases.

"Kyle Callaghan is going to be the worst nightmare of drug lords in 
Mobile County," he said. "Drugs are the root of all problems in the 
criminal justice system."

He said he was the lead investigator in the Wee Care Daycare Learning 
Center drug case. Au thorities charged 23 people whom they accused of 
bringing more than two tons of marijuana from Texas to Mobile and 
laundering the profits through the day care center on Broad Street.

Tillman has cited that case as one of his department's accomplishments.

Callaghan said he would re-institute and add drug education to the 
Junior Deputy program, which sought to curb crime by "deputizing" 
children. He said he would search nationwide for a warden for the 
Mobile County Metro Jail and increase training for corrections 
officers.

Callaghan has been with the Sheriff's Department for 14 years. He is 
married and has two daughters.
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