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Dirkse Earns Key Endorsements
JEFF DIRKSE pix

Stanislaus County’s current sheriff, Adam Christianson, and the man he succeeded, Les Weidman, on Monday released a letter endorsing Jeff Dirkse to become the county’s 22nd sheriff.

Dirkse is a lieutenant in the Sheriff’s Department. He is a West Point graduate, a former Army Ranger and National Guard commander who served for a year in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2007 as a patrol deputy and quickly rose through the ranks. He became Patterson’s police chief in May 2015 as part of the county’s contract with that city.

In their letter, Christianson and Weidman said Dirkse earned their confidence “through a lifetime of public service.”

“We know from personal experience what is required to lead the nearly 700 men and women who work at the Sheriff’s Department,” they wrote. “In our judgement, there is only one candidate who is eminently qualified and best suited to become the next sheriff – Jeff Dirkse.”

They cited Dirkse’s vision for the department of service and public safety, and believe he “has the skills, experience and temperament to successfully lead” the Sheriff’s Department into the future.

“He is decisive. He understands the responsibilities of law enforcement. And he treats people with respect,” Christianson and Weidman wrote.

The sheriffs are among nearly 500 local law enforcement professionals supporting Dirkse in the June 5 election. He also has received the endorsement of the Stanislaus Sworn Deputies Association, the Stanislaus County Sworn Management Association, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Supervisors Association, and the police officers association in Modesto and Ceres.

He also has been endorsed by all five Stanislaus County supervisors, many elected leaders, the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau and hundreds of business, civic and community leaders.