By Meg Hibbert
Contributing Writer
It’s Chris Shelor’s life goal to be Salem’s Sheriff.
“It’s one of those things I have dreamed of for years,” the 41-year-old candidate said in a phone interview Tuesday.
He said if elected, what he wants to implement is better training for deputies and “to bridge the gap between the police department and sheriff’s office.”
“I want to get deputies increased training for better preparedness,” said Shelor, “so they will be able to assist the police department because of shortness of staff in law enforcement in general.”
Shelor explained he wants to help maintain a smoother working relationship than what is currently in place. “There used to be joint training but not a whole lot of that now,” he added.
He is running in the November special election as an independent against current interim Sheriff Johnny Branson, who was appointed by Circuit Court Judge Chris Clements to serve through 2025. That was the end of the term of former Sheriff April Staton who resigned effective Aug. 31.
Shelor’s experience includes almost 20 years with the Salem Sheriff’s Office and Salem Police Department. He started his law enforcement career as a deputy for seven and a half years, followed by 12 ½ years with the Salem Police Department.
He is currently a police sergeant supervising night shift patrol. The Salem High School graduate has specialized forensic training and is a graduate of the FBI frontline leadership school, among other training.
Shelor was elected Officer of the Year by his Peers.
He said he believes his greatest strength is being a strong leader, being able to guide and direct younger staff and being a role model to youth in community.
“I’m a people person. I communicate well with people, and I don’t forget names and faces,” he added.
Shelor is a Salem native who graduated from Salem High School in 2000. He and his fiancé, Amanda who is a West Salem Elementary kindergarten teacher, have been together for 13 years and have set a wedding date.
Together they have three boys, Camden, 11, who attends Andrew Lewis Middle School; Tatum, 9, and Maverick, 6, who both attend South Salem Elementary School.
In his leisure time, Shelor said he is usually on some sort of field. “I am a youth sports coach, and the boys right now are playing football and travel lacrosse.”
In addition to his law enforcement career, Shelor worked at Graham White after high school and was an inventory assistant with the Salem Water Department for one-and-a-half years.
