Gray would like to be able to don a different badge. This one would say "Ron Gray -- Bourbon County Sheriff."

In a recent interview Gray described the duties of Bourbon County's Sheriff.

The sheriff is the head elected officer in the county. He or she is charged with serving the court by delivering such court documents as eviction notices, subpoena's and court summonses. The sheriff is also responsible for supervising the personnel in the sheriff department, making sure the citizens in the county are treated fairly by those under his or her supervision.

When asked what background experience and qualifications he has, enabling him to properly perform the duties of sheriff, Gray said the experience he has gained through the years has provided him with good leadership skills.

"Because of my experience on the road and being supervisor, and everything I have seen -- all my experience worked together to give me much needed leadership skills," Gray said.

In 1989, Gray began his career in law enforcement as a reserve officer with the Fort Scott Police Department. In 1992, he was instated as a full-time police officer until 1994 when he was promoted to detective and later detective sergeant. In the latter part of 1995, Gray was assigned as an investigator with the Bourbon County Drug Task Force, which was a joint effort between the police department and the sheriff department. In 1996 he was promoted to Lieutenant of detectives and began supervising all the police department's detectives. By the end of 1998, Gray had also assumed the road lieutenant position, serving directly under the chief of police and supervising all the officers, both patrol and detective. In this role, Gray said he had to review reports, do evaluations and respond to calls. He was also the liaison to the county attorney and carried out a lot of administrative duties.

When Gray had an opportunity to move out of the city limits in 1999, he was forced to quit his job with the police department because at that time the department had a three-mile limit rule.

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"Because of city policy," he said, "I had to find alternate employment."

Not long after leaving the police department, Gray was hired by Bourbon County Sheriff Harold Coleman as a Bourbon County Sheriff Deputy. He performed the duties of a deputy from 1999 to 2006 at which time he was promoted to undersheriff.

During his law enforcement career, Gray said based on office records, he has taken the most reports of any other officer. In addition, he has been very active in detection and investigation of methamphetamine laboratories. While working at the police department, Gray said he was sent to various management classes. As Undersheriff, he has to respond to concerns from citizens and many of the duties he does now are similar to the duties of the sheriff.

If elected as sheriff, Gray said the Sheriff Department will begin to make a bigger presence in the county. Gray added he is currently working with an organization attempting to create a satellite office in the western part of the county. The satellite office could be used by the sheriff's office.

"If I have an officer based out there, it will make people feel more secure knowing law enforcement is in the area," Gray said. "It would also provide a quicker response time and cut down on fuel prices, which could free up money for other areas in the sheriff's office."

According to Gray, if elected, he would look to solve the current jail situation.

"Ultimately," he said, "we will have to sit down and decide what to do with the facility. It's aging and will soon be cost prohibitive to fix."

Gray added, he would investigate some alternative housing for inmates. There are several programs such as day reporting and ankle bracelets which might help with overcrowding. Work release is another option.

"That person could be sleeping in his bed, being productive for his family and the victims will be compensated," Gray said.

When asked what makes him the best person for the job of sheriff, Gray said he is good at law enforcement.

"I think I'm good at law enforcement," he said. "I've been successful at every aspect of it from day one. I am proud of my court records as an investigator, and I am a pretty good diplomat. I am on the way up, not down."

Gray said his one weakness is that he tries to please everybody.

"In eighteen years, I haven't learned how not to do that," he said