As the November 2, 2004 election approaches, I am writing this open letter to the citizens of Levy County in support of W.O. "Brett" Beauchamp, III, Republican candidate for Levy County Sheriff. It has been a pleasure to have known Brett Beauchamp for nearly twenty years, and it has been an honor to work with Brett during the last seven years of my law enforcement career. I worked with Brett on an almost daily basis when he was the commander of the Levy, Gilchrist, Dixie Drug Task Force, serving all of the towns within those counties. As the supervisor of this joint unit, Brett Beauchamp was charged with the difficult job of combatting the drug crimes hurting our communities. With a limited budget and resources, Brett Beauchamp and his experienced investigators performed better than similar units in counties with larger budgets. In leading this law enforcement effort, Brett both demanded a lot of himself, and expected a lot from his co-workers, but anyone who has ever worked with Brett Beauchamp will tell you that you always know exactly where you stand with Brett. While simultaneously addressing the problem of "crack" cocaine and the increasing problem of illegal methamphetamine production, Brett Beauchamp also ran the Levy County Sheriff`s Office asset forfeiture program. During Brett`s time in charge of this effort, Levy County had record seizures of illegal cash, land, cars and other assets. By focusing on the identification, seizure and forfeiture of these "ill gotten gains", Brett Beauchamp was the primary individual responsible for the Levy County Sheriff`s Office receiving record amounts of assets being shared back to Levy County by the federal government. Brett`s work in this very specialized area of law enforcement not only supplemented the operating funds of the Sheriff`s Office, but more importantly he denied drug traffickers the many comforts of their criminal lifestyles. During his time with the Levy County Sheriff`s Office, Brett Beauchamp forged partnerships with many local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and these cooperative relationships continue to serve the citizens of Levy County. Brett Beauchamp is a devoted Christian, husband, father and friend, and he is also devoted to the safety and well-being of all citizens of Levy County. I know, and have worked with Brett`s opponents in the upcoming election, and they are both good men, but Brett Beauchamp has the education, commitment, experience, professionalism and knowlege that uniquely qualify him as the best candidate for the job. I urge you to support W.O. "Brett" Beauchamp, III for Sheriff of Levy County on November 2.
Robert H. Riley |
