Sheriff-elect John Spezze returns to hometown with big-city experience - Chaffee County Times
Growing up in a small town, I’m a more personable, hands-on person. WHAT’S THE SINGLE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE. “It’s a huge concern … I worry all the time about getting good people and keeping them here. HOW BIG AN ISSUE IS METH IN CHAFFEE COUNTY. “Personally, I think prescription drugs are a bigger issue. Prescription drugs are a huge issue in our schools and our community. My daughter loves horses, so we do a lot with horses. ” My daughter and I ride horses into the backcountry and go fishing. “People think crime doesn’t happen here,” Spezze said. “We’ve been involved in high-speed chases, officer-involved shooting, armed suspects, people out on fugitive warrants. Spezze officially becomes Chaffee County’s new sheriff on Jan. 13, taking the place of retiring Sheriff Pete Palmer. Spezze joined the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office in early 2011, retiring from a 27-year career with the Denver Police Department to become Pete Palmer’s undersheriff. “The way things turned out, it’s probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Spezze said. The move brought Spezze back to his home town of Salida, where started his law enforcement career as a city police officer more than 30 years ago, in July 1981. Three years later, Spezze left the Salida Police Department to join the Denver Police... Source: www.chaffeecountytimes.com
