The following are the complete and unedited responses submitted by the candidate listed below to the Amarillo Pioneer’s Candidate Questionnaire.

Name: Roger Short

Office Sought: Randall County Sheriff

Party Affiliation: Republican

Age: 72

Educational Background: Associate Degree/ Amarillo College
Bachelors Degree/ Wayland Baptist University
Masters Degree/ West Texas A&M
Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Masters Law Enforcement Certificate
National Crime Prevention Institute
3,420 Total Career/Professional Training Hours

Occupation: Retired

If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own.

Not Applicable

Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, religious, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.

8 years as a Republican Precinct Chairman

1 year Finance Committee St. Stephen Church of Amarillo

1 year Trustee St. Stephen Church of Amarillo

13 years Board Trustee Canyon Independent School District

Have you previously held or do you currently hold any elected office? If so, what office(s)?

8 years as Republican Precinct Chairman Randall County

13 years Board Trustee on Canyon Independent School District

If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.

Facebook/ Elect Roger Short for Sheriff

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554432971653

Why did you decide to run for this office in 2024?

I have been asked many times over the years to run for Sheriff. I had contemplated running for Sheriff for some time and with the encouragement and support of people saying “You’re needed”, I decided to take this step. I have over 38 years of law enforcement experience, 1 1/2 years at WT Police, 32 1/2 years at Randall County with 20 years of that as Lieutenant and then Captain overseeing the Criminal Division. I was the Chief Deputy at Potter County Sheriffs Office for over 4 years under the new Sheriff there working to help get that Office on the right path after the Shumate fiasco. I knew I had the experience needed to be the Sheriff of Randall County and continue my life of service to others.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?

*Employee Retention- The greatest asset a Sheriff has are the Deputies and Staff. I want them to feel valued, trusted and respected. It doesn’t do any good to spend taxpayer dollars on hiring and training if employees are going to be dissatisfied and leave, that’s wasted dollars and time. You take care of your Deputies and Staff, if you don’t, how can you expect them to take care of the citizens in the county? Hire the best, Train the best, and Work to keep them.

*Crime Prevention & Education - I plan to create a Crime Prevention Unit. I believe Education is the key to reducing crime. When I served as Captain at the Randall County Sheriff’s Office I was responsible for coordinating and developing all the crime prevention programs. I was trained at the National Crime Prevention Institute in all areas of crime prevention. Under my direction we had Neighborhood Watch, the DARE program, the SOBER program, Kids Summer Camp, McGruff the Crime Dog programs, Just Say No walks with the school children and started the Citizens Academy. Under my leadership I want to reinstate programs like these but for all ages. Seniors need training on telemarketing scams and others. These can be provided to all the citizens of the county at different venues that are easily accessible to them. Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch programs need to be brought back. I will research programs to provide for the needs of children and teens to help them cope with dangers that are out there. Under my leadership we will have a better safer place for all of us to raise our families.

*Taxpayer Dollars - I know budgets, how to write them, how to present them, and how to spend budget dollars wisely. I have years of experience with budgets at two Sheriffs Offices and with my 13 years I served as a Trustee on the Canyon ISD school board. I am and will be fiscally responsible because I realize it’s not my money being spent but the taxpayers money that has been allotted in a budget to run the Office by the Commissioners Court of Randall County.

What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?

Our local Department of Public Safety Troopers assigned to not only our county but every county in Texas are being sent every month to defend and protect our border with Mexico and also being sent to Austin to patrol there because the Defund the Police movement has created such a shortage of Austin Police Officers they can no longer take care of our states capitol. They are away from their families for long periods of time and they need our help. It’s going to take the cooperation of all the law enforcement agencies here to help DPS and their families and to cover for them while they’re deployed elsewhere. I want to promote the strongest relationships possible with all surrounding agencies to assist DPS with coverage during their extended absences.

Do you have any notable endorsements you would like to highlight for voters?

I haven’t been asking for endorsements from any elected or former elected officials, or other leaders of the community because I’m running on my reputation, experience, education, and years of service to the people of our area. I’ve served both Randall County and Potter County and I believe that my service to everyone speaks for itself.

Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?

Serving as Sheriff is an awesome responsibility. The Sheriff is charged with the operating of the jail, providing security for court buildings, patrolling the county, investigating crimes, observing all statutes and regulations all while remaining fiscally responsible to name a few.

My life has been that of service to others for over 38 years and I am proud of everything I have accomplished during my career. The connections I have made to others and the people I was able to help over the years will forever be with me. But, I know I’m not through yet. There’s no limit to the good anyone can accomplish if they are in the position to do that. There is no one better qualified than I at this time to lead the Sheriffs Office for the next 4 years. I have the experience, the education, the desire, the common sense and the ability to run your Sheriff’s Office ethically and responsibly! I humbly ask for your vote of confidence and support this March 5th. Thank you!