BOONE COUNTY, Ind. -- The candidates for Boone County sheriff both have credentials for the job and both know what it's like to lose someone important to them in the line of duty.
"Losing one of our own is the toughest part of my 34 years in this career," said Sheriff Mike Nielsen, incumbent.
Nielsen is speaking of the death of Deputy Jacob Pickett last March. Pickett was shot and killed while assisting during the serving an arrest warrant.
Sheriff Nielsen's opponent came face to face with the same thing 25 years ago.
"My dad was 43 years old when he passed away. One of the things he wanted to do was run for sheriff, and he never got a chance to," said Deputy Michael C. Greene, candidate for Boone County sheriff.
His dad, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Michael E. Greene, was gunned down by Norman Timberlake when he stopped along I-65 to investigate two suspicious men along the side of the road.
Greene says his father inspired him to be a police officer and run in this election.
"I will bring change. I have a vision to push forward to battle the drug and crime problem in Boone County. I will not stop until it is a safe community again," said Greene.
Greene has not raised any money. He calls his campaign self-funded. Some yard signs bearing his name have popped up across the Boone County landscape.
"I think he's got some good points that he's made, but I'm still a Nielsen fan," said Jennifer McGee, Boone County voter.
The realities of being Boone County sheriff include overcrowding at the jail and a 79 percent recidivism rate. The national rate is 64 percent.
"We do a real good job inside the jail with programs like faith-based program, education programs, we do a wonderful job in here. We get them clean. Where we fail is when they leave," said Sheriff Nielsen.
Nielsen is in the middle of a five-year strategic plan to address that problem if he gets re-elected.
Watch our profile of the candidates below:
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