Sheriff Nichols and Chief Deputy Landers announce future intentions for Sheriff's Office

[May 25, 2017]  LINCOLN - On Tuesday afternoon with the monument at Veterans Memorial Park on Union Street in Lincoln as a backdrop, Logan County Sheriff Steve Nichols announced that he will not seek reelection in 2017. Moments later it was announced that Logan County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy of Operations Mark Landers will seek to fill that position.

The announcements were made in front a sizeable gathering of people including friends and family of the men and some county officials. Also on hand was Logan County State’s Attorney Jonathan Wright, who ended the day by offering his endorsement to Landers for the position of Sheriff.

Sheriff Nichols thanked all those who were in attendance. He noted that his passion for the sheriff’s office began in 1966 when his father was elected to the position. Nichols noted that in his career as sheriff, he has worn and was on Tuesday wearing the star badge that his father wore. He said he wore the star “to remind me of who I am.”

He noted that he was first elected in Logan County in 2002, and has served the people of Logan County since then, but concluded, “I want to thank the people for allowing me to serve them. Every book has an ending. My book with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, it’s time to close.” Nichols went on to say that he would always have a passion for the sheriff’s office, instilled in him since childhood when as a nine-year old, he spent many hours at the office growing up with a father who filled that position.

Nichols said that he wanted to make sure the next chapter of the sheriff’s office continued on seamless. He said to do that, the office needed someone with the same passion and the same loyalty to the office. He added that the office also needed someone who had the ability to move the office forward and run it efficiently, from running investigations to being an administrator.

“We need somebody who can take us into the future and keep the Sheriff’s Office what it is. That is why I am proud to endorse Chief Deputy Mark Landers to be the next Sheriff of Logan County.” Nichols went on to say Landers was passionate about the office, cared about the people he will work for, and someone who will “do it the right way.”

Landers spoke next, first thanking Nichols for his endorsement, then thanking the gathering of people there to witness the announcement.

Landers began his announcement by talking about the location he had chosen for making his announcement. He said that 36 years ago he found a box. He was a young boy then. He said in the box he found an obituary of a young marine who died in Vietnam, his uncle. Landers said that man helped mold his future. Landers joined the military in order to serve his country. Out of the service, his first job was with the Illinois Department of Corrections at the Pontiac Correctional Center. From that position, he moved on to work for the Atlanta Police Department. In 2002, Landers was hired by the Logan County Sheriff’s office and has since then had the opportunity to work in many factions of the department.

Landers went on to talk about the issues before the Sheriff’s office. Landers noted he grew up in Logan County, married and raised his family here. He told the group to “make no mistakes, we’ve got some issues to deal with.” Landers talked about the heroin epidemic, problems with cyber-bulling and much more. He also noted that there is a large gap between law enforcement and area youth. He said there has to be steps taken to bridge that gab. Landers went on to speak briefly about the Logan County Sheriff’s D.A.R.E. program which he was an instructor, and this year graduated more than 80 children from throughout the area in that program.

On hand for the announcement was Landers wife Candra, and their four children. Landers had spoken of his wife and family and expressed appreciation to Candra for her strength and support throughout his career and now.

Landers spoke about his soon-to-be predecessor, “Sheriff Nichols I want to say thanks, thanks for being here for me today. Folks I have watched this man for the last 15 years lead this agency through some pretty dark times and he did so with dignity and professionalism.”

Turning to the third man standing at the front of the group Landers addressed State’s Attorney Wright, “I would like to thank you. There is no man in this county, folks, that holds integrity and professionalism and justice to a higher standard.”

Landers began to wrap up his announcement saying that his 24 years of experience qualified him to lead the Sheriff’s Department into the future.

Wright was the last person to address the group. He began by saying that he was not ready to “Eulogize” Nichols, as the man still had work to do in Logan County. However he went on to say, addressing Nichols directly, “We’ve been through some cases and investigations, and I want to thank you for your service to Logan County. Thank you for your friendship to me. And, thank you for what you have done for the office of Logan County Sheriff.”

Wright went on to say, “When he (Landers) approached me a couple of weeks ago to say he was planning to run for Logan County Sheriff, I was thrilled. Not just for the opportunity it holds for him, but because he is ready. This is not just for anyone under any circumstances. There is a lot of stress, a lot of responsibility, there is a lot of experience that is needed. I have been able to see firsthand in Mark Landers what he brings to the table. I’ve seen his preparation in investigations, I’ve seen his determination, I’ve seen his passion, and I’ve seen his commitment to this office.”

Wright said he was therefore endorsing Landers as the Republican nominee for Logan County Sheriff, and that he hoped Landers would ultimately be elected.

When Wright finished, Landers brought the program to a conclusion by once again thanking all those who had come out.

A primary election will be held on March 20th, 2018 and the General Election will be held on November 6th, 2018.

[Nila Smith]