Who is Lou Roberts?

This posting is courtesy of the Jackson County SOE profile listings of candidates.

For over twenty-six years Lou Roberts has been serving and protecting the citizens of Jackson County. Over the past six years, he has served the citizens of Marianna as their Chief of Police. He would like to serve as your next Sheriff of Jackson County. In order to focus on the true needs of the citizens of Jackson County, Lou has made the decision to not seek re-election as the Chief of Police of Marianna. After his term expires in June 2008, he will commit all of his energy and efforts toward his campaign to be elected as your next Sheriff. Lou firmly believes that every citizen has a vested interest in the Office of the Sheriff, because the Office of Sheriff belongs to the citizens. To ensure that the Office of Sheriff is open to all citizens, he will always have an open door policy. Lou has plans to bring the Sheriff’s Office to the community by way of monthly community forums.Open lines of communication are vital to the success of any Sheriff’s Office. Over the past two decades Lou has formed invaluable relationships with law enforcement agencies across the panhandle and the tri-state area. Lou will continue to strengthen and cultivate these relationships during his tenure as Sheriff.Lou has been a resident of Jackson County since 1968, when he moved here with his family. He is a graduate of Marianna High School and Chipola Junior College. Lou is also a graduate of Troy State University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Criminal Justice with a double minor in Business and Sociology. Lou is also a graduate of the Chief Executive Leadership Program, which is sponsored by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.Lou is presently serving on several law enforcement task forces and community organizations. He is currently the Regional Chair for the Panhandle Violent Crimes Council and is the Command Post Team Leader for the Child Abduction Response Team. Lou is also very active in the local Kiwanis Club of Marianna.Lou married the former Kathy Peacock of Cottondale in 1978. They have three children, Brent, Jared, and Kara. Brent, age 24, is currently enrolled in college. Jared, age 17 is a senior at Marianna High School. Kara, also attends Marianna High School and is in the 10th grade. Lou and his family are active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Marianna.Lastly, Lou makes the following statement to the people of Jackson County; “If elected as your new Sheriff, I promise that my entire office and I, will work diligently and tirelessly to ensure that the citizens of Jackson County are safe and secure whether at home or in the work place. Serving as your next Sheriff would be an honor and a privilege. An honor and a privilege that I will never take for granted, as we work together to continue to make the Jackson County Sheriff's Office an agency of diligence, integrity, and vision.