Proven Leadership. Results You Can See. Custer County Strong.
In four years, we’ve built a stronger, smarter Sheriff’s Office; one that delivers real results while respecting the values that make this community home.
Let’s finish the job.
Now, I’m focused on what comes next:
Expanding mental health response programs
Continuing to recruit top-tier, experienced deputies
Investing in tools that improve response and transparency
Continuing to deliver more service without increasing the burden on taxpayers
Together, we keep Custer County safe, strong, and PROUD.
A Sheriff’s Office You Can Trust
When I took office, I made a promise: build a professional, capable team and do what’s right for this community — every time.
Today, we have one of the most experienced sheriff’s offices in Colorado with deputies averaging 17 years of experience; 70% are veterans who’ve served our country. We also increased the local residency of staff with 75% living right here in our community.
★ Trusted Across Colorado ★
Appointed to state & regional public safety and victim advocacy boards
Fiscal Responsibility
Law enforcement costs are rising rapidly. In Custer County, funding has remained flat, yet we’ve expanded services and improved quality.
$567,880 saved in 2024 alone
$1.5M+ total savings through smarter operations
Eliminated $100,000/year in overtime costs
Reduced budgets while maintaining consistent full staffing
We cut waste, not service, and reinvest where it matters most: people, training, and safety.
Safer County.
Real Results.
↓ 39%
Reduction in major crimes since taking office
↓ 56%
Reduction in non-violent crimes since taking office
↓ 72%
Reduction in traffic crashes since taking office
Compassion When it Matters Most
★ Best in state co-responder program with the highest clinician support per capita. ★
Deputies partner with licensed mental health professionals to deliver real solutions. Grant-funded, this program expands services without increasing taxpayer cost. Improving safety, reducing repeat calls, and ensuring people get the help they need.
Modern & Community-Driven Policing
We’ve transformed how a rural Sheriff’s Office operates; combining experience, technology, and strong community partnerships.
★ Smarter Systems ★
1,586 traffic stops since taking office focused on safety, not revenue
For the 1st time in agency history: modernized the fleet with in-car computing and communications. increasing efficiency & effectiveness
★ Stronger Partnerships ★
Seamless coordination with state and federal partners
Best in State Posse based on hours donated per capita and number of services offered
★ Proactive Preparedness ★
School security fully overhauled based on state audit
Expanded emergency medical response capability — deputies trained and equipped with AEDs and trauma kits
Meet Rich.
I was born in Germany to a military family while they were stationed there. My family moved several times over the time of my father’s military career but we always considered Colorado Springs to be home. From an early age, I liked to get things done and I fondly remember camping near Buena Vista.
I played soccer in elementary school and I was a soccer referee in high school (loved this job). I began my career journey working at McDonald’s which provided me with great exposure to team work - had a terrific boss. I moved on to Kinkos Copies working as a machine operator, customer service associate, outside sales agent, regional technical trainer, and went on to manage a small store followed by managing a larger store. All the while I was a volunteer with Red Cross Disaster Services in Oklahoma. I responded to floods, tornadoes, apartment and house fires. I learned the value of emergency management, disaster preparedness, and business continuity planning.
On April 19, 1995 I responded to the Oklahoma City Murrah Building Bombing. While there I felt the need to switch focus from an emergency responder to emergency preventer. I went on to earn professional certification as a Certified Business Continuity Planner with the Disaster Recovery Institute. They later hired me as a contract instructor to teach certification classes. I left Kinko's to start my own full time consulting business from 1998-2002. My primary clients were large insurance companies but I wanted to serve small towns and counties that I had seen suffer the worst in the national disaster I responded to with the Red Cross. Then on September 11, 2001, I was teaching a class at USC. That horrific day compelled me to do more to prevent emergencies and disasters. I filled out an online application and was accepted into a basic training academy the next year.
My parents emphasized service from the very beginning. Susan, my mother, volunteered with child literacy programs and served as a volunteer chaplain with a Federal Prison facility for twenty years. My brother, Joel, serves as a children’s pastor and youth and family counselor. Along with my volunteer work with Red Cross Disaster Services, I volunteered with the Humane Society for two years in Colorado Springs. After adopting my dog, I decided I had to leave because I was tempted to adopt additional dogs.
In Custer County, I have volunteered with Custer County Search and Rescue and I have served on the Custer Sheriff’s Scuba diving team as a rescue diver. I also work part time with Custer EMS as an EMT.
In my free time I enjoy traveling and off-roading in my modified Toyota 4 Runner. In fact, the first time I visited Westcliffe was on my motorcycle at the suggestion of a friend. I fell in love with the scenic beauty and the incredible people of Westcliffe and made many additional motorcycle trips to Custer County before moving here in 2016. I also enjoy spending time with my large family.