Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Reasons for Wally Knox entering the race for Kosciusko County sheriff are pretty straightforward.
He looked around at the pool of candidates who have announced their intentions and said he believes he is better suited for the job.
The 50-year-old resident of Claypool and long-time Warsaw officer said he believes he has several characteristics other candidates lack.
Knox said he has a college degree in law enforcement and criminal justice.
"I've got the education and the experience and I've been under the gun in all kinds of situations. I can take the stress," Knox said.
He said he respects the other candidates, but "I just felt the voters of Kosciusko (County) deserve another alternative."
Knox has filed to run for the office on the Republican ticket. He is one of three Republicans and one Democrat who have declared their candidacy. The total number could swell to eight before the filing period ends Feb. 20.
Knox isn't making any immediate proposals, but suggested any changes would involve a "fine tuning" of the department.
"I don't believe it's a broken department so I'm not going to try and fix it," Knox said. "But I do believe there are things that need to be addressed."
Knox has been on disability from the Warsaw department for five years because of cancer. Although he continues to receive treatments for the cancer, Knox appears healthy and said it is not a central concern in his life.
"I still have cancer. I have what is called recurrent lymphoma. Every year, year and a half, I'll have tumors that come back ... But I bounce right back and I keep on living and my quality of life is good," Knox said.
"As far as health goes, I read the job description and it doesn't include doing the 100-yard dash and rolling around on the ground with a suspect," he said.
Knox said he's matured over the years and has a new outlook.
"I've got my life in order spiritually, also. I know where I'm going and I believe in eternal life and it's a matter of choice where the person wants to spend it. I've got that squared away."
Knox got his start with the Warsaw Police Department when he began working an undercover drug operation in 1979. His role was kept secret until after the investigation, which netted about 30 felony arrests, and he was then put on regular duty.
Knox was born in Detroit and came to Warsaw with his family in 1953. He served six years in the military, including two years of active duty and 1-1/2 tours in Vietnam.
After getting his degree from Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Mich., he worked for two departments in Florida and one year as a corrections officer at maximum security prison in Jackson, Mich.
Knox said he isn't planning any town hall meetings, and will instead meet voters by conducting some voter registration drives.
"That way, they get to meet me and get registered. I'll be killing two birds with one stone," he said.
