GOP race likely decides who becomes sheriff

Whoever wins the Republican primary election next month for Quay County sheriff almost certainly will capture the office in one fell swoop, as no opposition candidate from the Democratic Party has filed.

The two GOP candidates, current 43-year-old undersheriff Dennis Garcia and recently retired 48-year-old Tucumcari Police officer Herman Martinez. One of them will succeed current Sheriff Russell Shafer, who is term-limited.

Early voting in Quay County began Tuesday; the primary election is set for June 7.

The filing date for independent or write-in candidates is June 30 for the November election. Such candidates, even if they file, seldom are elected to high-profile positions.

The Quay County Sun emailed Garcia and Martinez several questions about their candidacies. Below are their answers; responses are edited for style and clarity.

Q: What prompted you to run for sheriff?

Garcia: “I was approached when I was a young officer at the Tucumcari Police Department to run for election, but I was not ready for such a huge role with the experience I had at the time. When current Sheriff Russell Shafer made the decision to run for office in the 2014 election, we both held supervisor positions at the Tucumcari Police Department. Shafer spoke to me about being his undersheriff, if elected. I was honored to be asked and of course accepted the position. Sheriff Shafer was elected, and we began our duties at the Quay County Sheriff’s Office in 2014. While working for TPD, I was proud to be a police officer and provide protection to the small town I grew up in. Since holding the rank of undersheriff at the Quay County Sheriff’s Office, I have become passionate about providing law enforcement services to the entire county of Quay. As Sheriff Shafer comes to the end of his second term, I want to be elected as sheriff and continue to move the Quay County Sheriff’s Office in a positive direction.”

Martinez did not directly answer the question.

Q: What are the biggest challenges the Quay County sheriff would face?

Garcia: “Coverage can be an issue with such a widespread county. As an office of only seven law enforcement officers and 2,882 square miles of Quay County to cover it can be very challenging. Add the factor of prisoner transport, civil service and courtroom security, coverage gets pulled from regular patrol duties. I will speak with Quay County government leaders about adding more positions so we can effectively provide quality services.”

Martinez didn’t directly answer the question.

Q: What would be your goals as sheriff?

Garcia: “If elected sheriff of Quay County, I would continue to put in the work Sheriff Shafer and I have been putting in the last eight years. I will continue to develop policies as Sheriff Shafer has that comply with state law and for the protection of the citizens and deputies. Shafer and I had a goal of two terms each, and I want to keep that mission going. He and I make a great team, and we want to continue leading the office.

“It is no secret, there is a drug use issue in our county, as there is worldwide. I will put extra effort on fighting this issue by getting deputies trained in drug investigations to be effective in battling this issue.

“Highway 54 has become an unsafe road to travel due to mobile applications sending travelers through roads not fit for interstate travel. I am already in talks with personnel from New Mexico Department of Transportation to try and make this road safer for our local commuters and interstate travelers.

“One of my biggest goals is to provide the citizens of Quay County with quality civil and law enforcement services. Whether you are a victim, suspect, or just have a question, I want every person our staff comes into contact with to be treated equally and with professionalism.”

Martinez: “As sheriff, I would like to continue the progress which our current sheriff has made, and continue moving forward providing active law enforcement to the citizens of Quay County.”

Q: Why should voters cast their ballot for you?

Garcia: “I look at the campaign as an application to the people of Quay County for the position of Sheriff. Based on my training and experience, I am confident I would be a successful sheriff and provide the services and leadership needed for this office. I am fortunate to have been appointed as undersheriff by Sheriff Russell Shafer eight years ago. This has given me firsthand knowledge of the day to day operations and needs of the office, as well as the needs of the citizens of Quay County.

“I will have 19 years of law enforcement experience in July of this year. My career has been dedicated to serving Tucumcari and Quay County, therefore I have built a great rapport with many citizens in this area. My law enforcement training includes leadership, narcotics, K-9 handling, tactics, investigations and management. I worked as an International Police Advisor in Iraq, where I advised Iraqi police commanders in current law enforcement tactics. As a K-9 handler, I was attached to a DEA Task Force and I am currently attached to the Region V Narcotics Task Force. With the above training, I will be able to lead and counsel my team to work to the best of their abilities in keeping with the goal of providing quality and professional services to the citizens of Quay County. I believe the above training has given me an advantage in interacting in such a diverse world and I am confident I can work with any situation presented to me.

“I am proud to have received two medals of valor for duties performed during my career, along with several other awards and letters of accommodation. Aside from law enforcement, I have served on the Quay County Little League board as a safety officer. Currently I am a licensed volunteer wrestling coach for Tucumcari Public Schools.

“My passion is to lead, educate and motivate the next generation of law enforcement officers. It is a goal of mine to show our younger Quay County generation that you can have a successful law enforcement career and make a difference in your home town. I promise to protect the rights of the citizens and uphold the constitution as written. I am very thankful for the team we have at the Quay County Sheriff’s Office and proud to work side by side with everyone there, along with all local law enforcement in the county.

“It would be an honor to be elected the 26th sheriff of Quay County. I humbly ask for your vote in the primary election.”

Martinez: “Hello, I am Herman I. Martinez. I am 48 years old and reside in Tucumcari with my wife Betty Jo Martinez (FF/EMT-B) and my father Mike Martinez (former sheriff of Harding County). I recently retired from the Tucumcari Police department where I was a corporal. I supervised patrol officers, was a key operator for the breath alcohol instrument, firearms instructor, evidence technician and general police instructor. I attended FBI Leadership training where I completed the Trilogy training and also currently am licensed in New Mexico as an EMT-B.

“Prior to my employment with the Tucumcari Police Department, I was employed with Harding County, both as sheriff (termed out) and undersheriff, Springer Police Department, Village of Roy Marshal’s Office and New Mexico Highlands University Police Department. During that time, I also served with the New Mexico Mounted Patrol where I worked my way through the ranks to second lieutenant, volunteered with both Roy Fire/EMS Department as well as Harding County Fire/EMS Department. I been in law enforcement for a total of 30 years, dedicating my services to the communities which I lived and worked in.

“I am familiar with the duties and tasks that are needed to run a department, serving as sheriff for eight years, volunteer fire chief for seven years and EMS director for four years. I am familiar with policies and procedures, budgets (working with county commissioners), seeking funding for equipment and training and supervising personnel.

”I have the training and experience as a law enforcement officer having held various positions in law enforcement. I ask the citizens of Quay County to cast their vote for Herman I. Martinez for Quay County sheriff.”