My name is Daniel J. Weckesser, and I am the Republican candidate for the Knox County Sheriff. I am a Knox County resident and have been the owner of a successful business in Danville for over 35 years. I am engaged to Tanya Elliott. I am a proud father of four adult children: Larry is a nurse practitioner at Knox Community Hospital; Clint is a United States Marine Veteran and a registered nurse; Heather is a mail carrier and works in the healthcare field; and  John is a United States Marine and guard at the prison in Mansfield. I am a proud grandfather of ten grandchildren. I am a dedicated law enforcement officer serving 21 years as a Danville Police officer with seven years as Chief of Police. I hold numerous certifications in special areas such as Hostage and negotiations Officer, ALICE Instructor (Alert, Lock-down, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate), High-risk shooting, Community Crisis Intervention Team, State of Ohio Firearms Instructor, 13 years Dual Purpose K-9 Officer, and School Resource Officer and Community Policing. I have successfully investigated many misdemeanor and felony cases. 

During my law enforcement career, I have successfully implemented programs to serve and protect my district's citizens and Knox County. Danville Police have had up to three K-9s assigned to officers. This service has been beneficial to every Law enforcement agency in Knox County. I have implemented the only Equine Mounted Patrol Unit in Knox County. This unit is an important part of our community outreach services. I have worked and secured a jurisdictional aid patrol area for our neighboring townships. I have collaborated with the Apple Valley Property Owners Association to provide additional boat patrol services to Apple Valley. I worked closely with Danville Local Schools to secure a full-time School Resource Officer and DARE Program within the Danville school district. The fight against drug crimes and weapons continues and for that reason, I have engaged in a partnership with METRICH, a Drug Task Enforcement Unit that works effectively throughout a 10-county geographical region. 

My vision for a safer Knox County includes taking a proactive approach toward crime prevention. This approach includes adding more deputies and dual purpose K-9s on the street, continuing officer education in the prevention of crimes against the elderly population, and continued training in narcotics and human trafficking. In addition, as sheriff, I plan to introduce new innovative methods using technology to make our community safer and link investigators, detectives, and school resource officers to resources they need to combat Online sexual predators. I plan to recruit and retain professional law enforcement officers using the "3 C" approach, Character, Competence, and Conviction. The Office of Knox County Sheriff will be transparent, and I will be approachable and available to the public.

I respectfully ask for your Vote Tuesday, March 19, 2024