Seventeen California sheriffs and five local law enforcement organizations believe Jeff Dirkse is the right man to become Stanislaus County’s next sheriff.
Dirkse joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2007 as a patrol deputy, then was promoted to sergeant, detective and now lieutenant. He became Patterson’s chief in May 2015 as part of the county’s contract with that city to provide police services.
Dirkse announced his candidacy in August to succeed three-term Sheriff Adam Christianson, who immediately threw his support to Dirkse. Christianson has since been joined by many of his peers across the state in backing Dirkse:
Vern Warnke (Merced County), Steve Moore (San Joaquin), Keith Royal (Nevada), Gregory Ahern (Alameda), Robert Doyle (Marin), Tom Bosenko (Shasta), Scott Jones (Sacramento), Kory Honea (Butte), Margaret Mims (Fresno), Darren Thompson (San Benito), Carlos Bolanos (San Mateo), Doug Binnewies (Mariposa), Jon E. Lopey, Sr. (Siskiyou), Rick DiBasilio (Calaveras), Gregory Hagwood (Plumas), Ian Parkinson (San Luis Obispo), Jay Varney (Madera) and Steven Durfor (Yuba).
In addition to the support of many California sheriffs, Dirkse also has earned the endorsement of these local law enforcement organizations representing hundreds of deputies, jailers, officers and their supervisors:
- Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Supervisors Association
- Stanislaus County Sworn Management Association
- Stanislaus Sworn Deputies Association
- Modesto Police Officers Association
- Ceres Police Officers Association
For a complete list of endorsements, go to https://jeffdirkseforsheriff.com/my-endorsements/
Dirkse, 45, is a West Point graduate, a former Army Ranger and National Guard commander who served for nearly a year in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He grew up in the Turlock area and graduated from Turlock High School. He, his wife and their three children live on a 40-acre almond ranch east of Denair once owned by his parents.
Stanislaus County voters will choose their next sheriff on June 5.