Decorated Lawman – Iraq War Veteran – Corruption Fighter

Sheriff Paul Babeu is America’s 2011 “Sheriff of the Year,” as selected by his colleagues in the National Sheriff’s Association. He proudly leads a department of 550 full time employees and nearly 300 volunteers.

Sheriff Babeu won his first term in 2008, in a landslide victory over the incumbent. In so doing, he became the first Republican elected in the history of Pinal County (founded in 1875).

Immediately upon taking office, Sheriff Babeu launched a full reorganization. While cutting his own budget, he replaced the entire command leadership, implemented high employee standards, improved training, reduced emergency response times (by 40%) and has aggressively sought and been awarded nearly $7 million in grants. He instantly honored a campaign promise to remove speed cameras from the county, insisting that he ran for Sheriff to protect the public-not to be the tax collector for the state.

Leader on Border Security

Pinal County is the number one pass through county in all of America for drug and human smuggling, ground zero in the fallout over America’s unsecured Southern border.

Pinal County contains an estimated 75 – 100 drug cartel cells and listening posts/observation posts, used to facilitate the illegal transportation of people and narcotics into the United States. There have been cartel murders on residential streets, cold blooded executions, and attacks on law enforcement.

Sheriff Babeu has acted decisively to disrupt, dismantle and destroy cartel activities. He also assisted Senator McCain and Kyl with the “10-Point Border Security Plan.”

Sheriff Babeu has emerged as a national leader on border security, and an outspoken critic of the Federal government’s failure to fulfill their most solemn obligation-to keep us safe.

Cleaning Up Public Corruption

Sheriff Babeu has also been fearless in his pursuit of those who abuse the public trust. This includes busting a drug smuggling and identify theft ring run from the County Recorder’s Office and arresting Court personnel for soliciting bribes to fix cases.

Most notably, Sheriff Babeu was asked by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to investigate allegations of wrongdoing in his own department. This detailed search led to the termination of his top two deputies.

Sheriff Babeu is committed to honest, open, and transparent government.

Army Major and Iraq War Veteran

Sheriff Babeu served for over 20 years in the Army National Guard, entering as a Private/E-2 and retiring with the rank of Major. During his tenure he served a tour in Iraq and spent 16 months deployed in Arizona as a Commander with Operation Jump Start (OJS), Southwest Border Mission. Major Babeu commanded over 700 men and women on the United States border with Mexico, reducing illegal entries by 94%.

Decorated Police Officer

Sheriff Babeu started his law enforcement career as a Police Officer for the City of Chandler, AZ. He graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy as the #1 overall police recruit and voted by his fellow officers as the class exemplary officer. Sheriff Babeu has been awarded two Life Saving Medals in the performance of his duties as a Patrolman.

Sheriff Babeu was selected by his peers to represent them as head of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association, and on the board of directors for the Arizona Police Association. The President of the Arizona Sheriff’s Association, he currently serves on the NOVA Board and is active with numerous military, civic and community groups within Pinal County and across the state.

Education

Sheriff Babeu’s education includes an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement, Bachelor’s Degree in History/Political Science and a Master of Public Administration, Suma Cum Laude.