Editor’s note: The following information was received from a political candidate announcing that he is running for office. Any other candidate wishing to seek a political office in the Whitewater area is encouraged to provide information to be published in The Banner.
With the recent announcement from Sheriff Kurt Picknell on his retirement at the end of this year, I humbly announce I am a candidate for Sheriff in this year’s election. I have spent the last 27 years dedicating my time in service to the citizens of this great county and will continue to do so as your next Sheriff. This decision was not taken lightly as I understand the Office of Sheriff carries with it a great deal of responsibility. In my tenure with the Sheriff’s Office, I have been honored to have served in the various ranks and specialty teams up to my current role as your Undersheriff, which is second in command of the Sheriff’s Office. I will continue to apply my education and experience along with integrity, compassion, and professionalism in serving the citizens of Walworth County. I ask for your support and prayers during this election.
Walworth County Sheriff Kurt Picknell states, “Undersheriff Dave Gerber is the most qualified in every way to be the next Sheriff of Walworth County. He has the education, experience and dedication serving and protecting others. Dave has a highly distinguished law enforcement career ready to lead the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office.”
Walworth County Sheriff David Graves (retired) states,“Undersheriff Dave Gerber is running to be the next Walworth County Sheriff. Undersheriff Gerber has the education, administrative experience, and moral compass to move seamlessly into the top position as the next Sheriff of Walworth County. As a 42-year veteran of Walworth County law enforcement which includes 14 as Walworth County Sheriff, I had the opportunity to watch many deputies grow within the profession. Undersheriff Gerber rose through the ranks, accepting more responsibility with every new assignment and promotion. I came to admire his ability to interact with other employees as well as our outside law enforcement partners. Undersheriff Gerber is dedicated to keeping our county a safe place for all of its residents and visitors. Undersheriff Dave Gerber is the best choice for Walworth County Sheriff. Please join me in endorsing and voting for Undersheriff Dave Gerber for Walworth County Sheriff. You’ll be glad you did!”
Some of my endorsements include:
Sheriff Kurt Picknell – Walworth County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Dave Graves – Walworth County Sheriff’s Office (retired)
David Bretl –Walworth County Administrator (retired)
Nancy Russell – Chair – Walworth County Board of Supervisors (retired)
Rick Stacey – Chair – Walworth County Board of Supervisors
Zeke Weidenfeld – Walworth County District Attorney
Valerie Etzel – Walworth County Treasurer
Michelle Jacobs – Walworth County Register of Deeds
Kristy Secord – Walworth County Clerk of Courts
Chief Jeremy Swendrowski – Village of East Troy Police Department
Chief James Hansen – Delavan/Darien Police Department
Chief Joel Christensen – City of Elkhorn Police Department
Chief Brad Buchholz – Village of Sharon Police Department
Chief Donald Jensen – Town of East Troy Police Department (retired)
Chief Joseph Balog – Village of Genoa City Police Department
Chief Jeff Cates – Village of Fontana Police Department
Chief Matthew Kiederlen – UW Whitewater Police Department
Chief Steve Cole – Bloomfield Police Department
John Marra –Chief of Police Genoa City Police Department/Council President Williams Bay (retried)
Tom Whowell – President Village of Fontana (retired)
The training and experience I have received has prepared me to lead the Sheriff’s Office into the future. As your Sheriff, I will continue to uphold the 183-year tradition of integrity, excellence, professionalism, and compassion. I will honor my oath to support the Constitutional rights of all our citizens and hold criminals accountable by continuing a strong partnership with all law enforcement agencies in Walworth County, along with our District Attorney’s Office and the Circuit Courts. I will always support all first responders for their hard work and dedication to the citizens we serve. We will enhance interoperability among all first responders in Walworth County in terms of communication and records management. I will continue to ensure fiscal responsibility within our annual budget. I will ensure all employees continue to receive the highest level of training in order to provide the highest level of service to the citizens of Walworth County. I will continue to partner with all law enforcement agencies in the County to ensure we remain a safe place to live, work, and play. Our agency has worked hard to achieve accreditation through the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG) and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and I will ensure our accreditation status continues. A police agency is most effective when it engages and partners with its community members. I plan to continue our community outreach efforts and build stronger relationships with our citizens. Finally, I have worked tirelessly for decades providing the needed training and equipment for our employees and strongly support our agency in recruiting and retaining the best employees to serve our citizens. I am proud to serve alongside our 214 employees within the Sheriff’s Office and all law enforcement officers and first responders in Walworth County. I am equally proud to serve with all of our dedicated county employees who serve Walworth County every day. Having served in the various ranks and specialty teams and most recently as your Undersheriff, the transition to Sheriff will be seamless. I look forward to being your next Sheriff.
BIO
Undersheriff Dave Gerber has 27 years of full-time law enforcement experience starting with the Village of East Troy Police Department and joining the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office in 1997. Undersheriff Dave Gerber also continued as a part-time police officer with the Village of East Troy Police Department for an additional 15 years. In his tenure with the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, Undersheriff Dave Gerber has served in many positions which include patrol deputy, detective, Lieutenant, Captain of Support Services, and Captain of the Patrol Division. In his current role as Undersheriff, Dave is second in command and serves as Chief Operating Officer for our 214-employee workforce. Undersheriff Dave Gerber oversees all divisions of the Sheriff’s Office operations and is responsible for an annual 28-million-dollar budget. Undersheriff Dave Gerber has served for many years on specialty teams which include SWAT Team, Dive Team, Honor Guard, Evidence Technician, Bike Patrol, Background Investigations, and Field Training Officer. Undersheriff Dave Gerber served as the Chair of the Walworth County Traffic Safety Commission, and administered the K9 Unit, Traffic Crash Investigation Team, Fugitive Task Force, Gang Unit, Commercial Motor Vehicle Carrier Enforcement Unit, Boat Patrol contract with the Town of Whitewater, Town Liaison Program, Sex Offender Registry Unit, and many other specialty teams. Undersheriff Dave Gerber is certified by the Wisconsin Department of Justice as a Unified Tactics Instructor. Instructor certifications include Firearms, Defense and Arrest Tactics, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Vehicle Contacts, Tactical Skills, Professional Communication Skills, Taser, and many other disciplines. Undersheriff Dave Gerber also served as range-master where he oversaw all aspects of the Walworth County Range. Undersheriff Dave Gerber holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville in Criminal Justice/Sociology. Undersheriff Dave Gerber is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in Evanston, IL, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Command Institute, and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Undersheriff Dave Gerber served as an instructor at Gateway Technical College for many years where he instructed both in-service and police academy courses. Undersheriff Dave Gerber is a past State Director for the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Torch Run Council for Special Olympics and recipient of the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Dale Brunner Hall of Fame award. Undersheriff Dave Gerber has volunteered for over 25 years for Special Olympics and coordinates the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run and Polar Plunges. Undersheriff Dave Gerber is also a past Director for the Wisconsin Field Training Officers Association. In his spare time Undersheriff Dave Gerber enjoys being active and spending time with his family. Undersheriff Dave Gerber has been married to his wife for 22 years and their twin sons both attend UW Whitewater. Undersheriff Dave Gerber served as a coach for many years for youth sports including baseball and soccer in the East Troy area. Undersheriff Dave Gerber enjoys bicycling and has participated as one of the Wisconsin Riders for the Police Unity Tour riding from New Jersey to Washington D.C. to raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
