Rich Ensign for Pawnee County Sheriff

06/19/2024

We gave it our all but came up short tonight. I would like to thank everyone who supported me throughout my campaign. I am deeply grateful for each one of you. I wish Darrin Varnell and Shawn Price well in the Runoff election.

06/18/2024

Today’s the day!! It is finally the day of the primary election for the Pawnee County sheriff. I would like to thank everyone for the love and support that has been shown in this campaign. I look forward to continuing to serve and support each and every citizen of Pawnee County. Please get out and vote and make your voices heard. Polling places are open 7am-7pm.

06/17/2024

I have been asked by many citizens about the Explorer program and jail ministry programs and if I would be bringing those programs back. The answer is yes! I believe both of those programs have great value to our county.

The Explorer program is hosted by Boy Scouts of America for youth ages 14-19 that are interested in law enforcement. It gives them the opportunity to learn skills and understanding of the work we do as well as serve their community.

The jail ministry is very important. It allows inmates that wish to participate to hear the word of God and get the spiritual guidance they seek to make life changes.

Both programs will be brought back as soon as possible because of the vital role they play.

06/17/2024

Many citizens have approached me to inquire as to who I will name as my Undersheriff in the event I earn the confidence of the citizens and am elected.

My choice is Jayna Johnson.

Johnson is committed to a standard of excellence and is committed to training.

She is certified in Crisis Intervention and dedicated to serving citizens with mental health issues in a safe, understanding manner.

She is ARIDE certified and cares about the drug issues within Pawnee County.

Other National certifications she holds include Traffic Incident Management and De-Escalation Tactics.

Johnson is also trained in hostage/crisis negotiation and constitutional law and believes in the rights of all citizens of Pawnee County whether they are suspects or law-abiding citizens. She is committed to protecting the rights of everyone and served as the Pawnee County coordinator for the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association.

She has 10 plus years of supervisory experiences in the administrative sector. During that tenure she was tasked with handling large budgets.

Johnson’s service doesn’t stop at law enforcement. She has also logged in over a thousand hours of volunteer work as well. She headed up the Explorer program in order to safely guide the Pawnee County youth who are interested in Law Enforcement, and spent each year she was employed at the Pawnee County sheriff’s office diligently working to raise thousands of dollars for Shop with the Sheriff.

Johnson is a trusted member of our great county and well respected by her peers as well.

She was the first known full time female patrol deputy in Pawnee County, and during her time at the Sheriffs office I witnessed her strong work ethic, selflessness, and integrity.

For all of the above reasons, I name Jayna Johnson as my choice for Undersheriff if I am elected, making her the first female Undersheriff of Pawnee County.

06/16/2024

With only 2 days till the primary election for the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office first I’d like to wish everyone a happy Father’s Day! I would also like to thank everyone for the love and support they showed me and my staff yesterday at Old Time Saturday Night in Pawnee. It was a lot of fun and we met a lot of new people. Lastly I would like to speak on fatherhood and leadership. I myself have multiple kids and love each and everyone of them. As a father and husband I believe that makes me the leader of my household and my family just as being the sheriff of Pawnee County makes me the leader of the sheriff’s office. While in this roll I will lead steadfast and ready at all points. I will teach, guide, reprimand, correct and celebrate all those who work under me in our efforts to serve the citizens of Pawnee County. With more than 10 years of experience serving this county I humbly request your vote Tuesday in the upcoming primary so we can Make Pawnee County Better Together!!

06/15/2024

We’re set up across from the gazebo in the court house square! Come see us!

06/15/2024

3 days until the June 18th Pawnee County Sheriffs primary election. Today is the Old Time Saturday Night car show in Pawnee. We will be set up in front of the bailbonds office with free popcorn, free water, handouts and voter polling location information. Please come out and enjoy the show and feel free to stop by and see us! We look forward to meeting new people and seeing cool cars!

06/15/2024

This stands true for all people. The right to vote is something that all citizens should have. In this upcoming election your vote is very important and determines the direction and leadership of law enforcement within the county for the next four years. Please make an informed decision and think about the needs and concerns you and your families have while voting. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to me.

06/14/2024

With only 4 days till the June 18th primary election for the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office I’d like to address some concerns my opponent has continued to bring against me. My opponent states that I worked too long for the current administration. I respond to his concerns by stating, I did not work for the current administration but worked for the citizens of Pawnee County. This county is my home and the citizens are the people I love. I have served here my entire career and look forward to being able to return to their service while Making Pawnee County Better Together!!

06/13/2024

5 days until the June 18th primary and with early voting already starting, I’d like to speak on the the qualities of law enforcement. The ability to be firm, fair, consistent and accountable. While some candidates are part of a “good ol boy system” and some candidates wish to dismantle that system, I provide a different stance. My office will be firm in its actions. We will make decisions and stand by what is right. We will be fair in the decisions made. We don’t care who you are or who you know. If action is needed we will take the appropriate action. We will do this consistently to the best of our abilities in all cases. We will also be accountable to citizens for the actions we have taken. We will not blame others, prior administrations, or poor circumstances. We are here to do the job that needs done the best that we can.

06/13/2024

06/12/2024

With only 6 days until the primary election for Pawnee County Sheriff, I look to the future. Not only the future of the county and law enforcement but the future of our county as a whole. Once elected I plan to take an active roll in our schools across the county. From working with the Cleveland school resource officer to reimplementing the explorer program. Returning with me will not only be the coordinator of the explorer program that was previously started and strong, but also 2 current campus police officers. One being an instructor for the SRP/SRM or standard response protocol and standard reunification method. I also plan to return the K9 program to use and disrupt drugs in our schools systems as well as provide demonstrations and other programs or resources that schools in our county would like and need.