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Ballotpedia, Thomas Ballinger (Wayne County Sheriff, Ohio, candidate 2024)

Thomas is from Wayne County, where he lives today. He attended Smithville High School. He is married to his wife Melanie, with whom he has 3 children. He is a former volunteer firefighter.  

Thomas currently works as a police detective. He previously held positions as a patrol officer, school resource officer, and drug recognition expect, among other positions, with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and the Copley Police Department. He served in the U.S. Army for 7 years. 

Thomas Ballinger's campaign for Wayne County Sheriff is his 1st run for public office. 

Candidate website

Believes in fostering community and inter-agency relationships to enhance public safety.

Wants to form relationships with the community and other law enforcement agencies. 

Supports regularly securing grants and funding to provide new and improved equipment, training for all deputies, drug enforcement, education, and school safety programs.

Wants to reinstate the Discipline and Rehabilitation Center. 

Plans to address mental health concerns by working with the County Sheriff's Office and community mental health organizations.

Wants more patrol units on roadways to help speed up response time and establish stronger community policing. 

- Opposes gun control.
- Wants to form relationships with the community and other law enforcement agencies. 
- Supports regularly securing grants and funding to provide new and improved equipment, training for all deputies, drug enforcement, education, and school safety programs.
- Wants to reinstate the Discipline and Rehabilitation Center. 
- Plans to address mental health concerns by working with the County Sheriff's Office and community mental health organizations.
- Wants more patrol units on roadways to help speed up response time and establish stronger community policing. 

Public Safety

Supports establishing a juvenile diversion program.

- Supports establishing a juvenile diversion program.

Jail Management

Believes in protecting the constitutional rights of citizens.

Believes in protecting citizens' constitutional rights. 

- Believes in protecting citizens' constitutional rights. 

Criminal Justice

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Thomas Ballinger

Thomas is from Wayne County, where he lives today. He graduated from Smithville High School. He is married to his wife Melanie, and together they have 3 adult children. 

Thomas currently works as a police detective. He has over 18 years of experience in law enforcement, having served in various roles with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and the Copley Police Department. He served in the U.S. Army for 7 years.

As of August 19, 2024, Thomas Ballinger’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports gun ownership and is a member of the Brokenlock Longrifles Gun Club.

Supports the candidate's run for sheriff.

Promises to make the safety and welfare of the office and citizens of Wayne County his first priority.

Supports his former Staff Sergeant, believing his character and experience will benefit his community.

Supports Tom as sheriff, saying "his commitment, integrity and genuine concern are evident. He truly makes everyone around him a better person."

Believes in strong leadership and work ethic to ensure public safety.

Believes in comprehensive law enforcement experience, having served in corrections and road patrol, and enforced state and local laws.

Believes in comprehensive community policing and has served in various roles including Patrol Officer, DARE Officer, School Resource Officer, and Detective.

Supports community engagement through events like flag football games between safety forces and students.

Supports community fundraising events like car washes to raise money for leukemia and lymphoma research.

Supports electing Thomas Ballinger for Wayne County Sheriff in 2024.

Promises to be "fully committed to public safety."

Aims to improve community relations with local businesses and residents.

Prioritizes obtaining funding to "...provide new and updated equipment, training for all the deputies, drug enforcement, education and school safety programs."

Supports reinstating the Discipline and Rehabilitation Center (DRC).

Plans to address mental health concerns through collaboration with the WCSO and community mental health organizations.

Supports increasing patrol units on roadways.

- Opposes gun control.
- Believes in fostering community and inter-agency relationships to enhance public safety.
- Prioritizes obtaining funding to "...provide new and updated equipment, training for all the deputies, drug enforcement, education and school safety programs."
- Supports reinstating the Discipline and Rehabilitation Center (DRC).
- Plans to address mental health concerns through collaboration with the WCSO and community mental health organizations.
- Supports increasing patrol units on roadways.

Believes in comprehensive jail management and has experience working in the Corrections Division.

Organized a supply drive for West Virginia flood victims.

Supports participation in community events like the Wounded Warrior Project 5k to raise awareness for veteran issues.

Supports law enforcement, as evidenced by membership in the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 94.

Volunteers with the Nami Wayne Holmes Co.

Past board member of the Orrville Boys & Girls Club.

Served as president of the board for One Eighty, a nonprofit organization that provides rehabilitation services for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

- Believes in protecting the constitutional rights of citizens.

Thomas Ballinger graduated from Smithville High School in 1990. He has been married to Melanie for 28 years and together they have three adult children: Lincoln, Derek, and Averie. He has been a lifelong resident of Wayne County and has resided in Orrville for the last 18 years.

Thomas Ballinger has over 18 years of experience in law enforcement, having served in various roles with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and the Copley Police Department. He has worked as a Patrol Officer, DARE Officer, School Resource Officer, Field Training Officer, Drug Recognition Expert, Metro Swat Negotiator, Juvenile Diversion Officer, and currently as a Detective.

As of August 16, 2024, Thomas Ballinger’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- The County Sheriff has complete police jurisdiction over all municipalities, and provides full police protection to the unincorporated areas of the county.
- The County Sheriff is responsible for enforcing the laws of Ohio and the United States. 
- County Sheriffs are responsible for operating and maintaining the county jail. 
- The County Sheriff aids the Common Pleas Court with security during trials, issues warrants, and serves court orders. 
- County Sheriffs are elected to 4 year terms. 

The chief law enforcement officer in the county.