The Republican primary for Maricopa County Sheriff just became a lot more interesting, with a second heavy-hitter entering the race, former Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Frank Milstead. Jerry Sheridan, who served as chief deputy under former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, is already in the race, along with several lesser known candidates. Current Democratic Sheriff Paul Penzone is not running for reelection.
Milstead told The Arizona Sun Times that the reason he is running is because as a police officer, he saw how bad the crime is in Maricopa County and felt he needed to do something about it. “I live by the rule that if I’m going to complain about something, I’d better step up and do something about it,” he said.
Prior to his appointment by Governor Doug Ducey to lead DPS, Milstead served as the Mesa Police Chief. He was born into a law enforcement family; while growing up, his father Ralph Milstead served as an officer with Phoenix Police Department. The elder Milstead also became the head of DPS, where he contributed a letter to a time capsule in 1988 addressed to the modern day DPS director. He never knew his son became a police officer, much less DPS director like himself, dying at age 57.
The time capsule was opened in 2019 on the 50th anniversary of DPS’s founding. In the letter, the elder Milstead said, “I know a little about you. I know you’re a good person, very successful and a leader. I know you head the finest law enforcement agency in Arizona and possibly the United States. I know DPS is in good hands. I know we could be friends.” He also expressed some insights into the handling of the impeachment of Governor Evan Mecham, which he was involved with, and said was the correct thing to do.
Read the rest of the article at The Arizona Sun Times