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EDITORS NOTE: This is one of several stories in a regular series with a purpose of preparing voters for the May 17 primary election.

A pair of police officers from the same department are aiming for the chance to go toe to toe with the current Boyd County sheriff in the 2022 general election.

Theres only room for one Republican.

May 17s primary election will determine if Catlettsburg PDs Terry Clark or Jamie Reihs will represent the R party against Democrat Bobby Jack Woods, the incumbent.

Clark, 65, and Reihs, 48, are slow to jab each other, which is why its been a clean race up to this point.

Clark complimented Reihs and Reihs reciprocated when given the chance to describe what its like to duel each other for this position. But each still made his case as to why hes better suited to take on Woods come November.

Jamies a great guy; no complaints about him, Clark said. Ive known Jamie since he was a kid. His father (Jim) was on the Boyd County Police great guy. I cant stay anything bad against except I can throw in some Ronald Reagan comments, because who he ran against (Walter Mondale in 1984) was in his 50s and Reagan was in his 70s. He said he didnt want his age difference to be a factor. Ive got roughly twice the experience Jamie has.

Reihs and Clark work different shifts, so they dont cross each others paths often.

He and I are very professional, Reihs said. We dont bring (the election) up, and we just try to do whats right for the agency.

Clark ran four years ago in the Primary against Woods on the Democrat ticket.

Like many in the recent red-wave movement in this portion of the U.S., he hopped on the Republican train sometime in 2019.

One of my friends told me I was a closet Republican, and come to find out, she was right, Clark said.

Clarks career in law enforcement spans four-plus decades. He started with auxiliary police and then joined Ashland Police Department in 1980. He was with APD for 27 years. He worked with the late Chief Tom Kelley, and picked up a slew of wisdom from him, he said.

There are many times Ill ask, what would Tom do? Clark said.

Clark logged time in patrol, crime prevention, the drug program, as a drug liaison officer for FADE and detective. Clark retired from APD only to unretire about 30 days later, latching onto Catlettsburg PD as a part-timer. That lasted from October 2007 to March 2008, he said, and then he became full-time.

Engaged with no children, Clark said hes ready to devote his time to a new office if hes elected.

If he is named Sheriff, he said, he would sit down with local leaders and work toward the solution on drug issues.

We can come up with better answers than what weve got so far, Clark said.

Clark mentioned the Sanibel House in Catlettsburg as a positive tool for drug rehabilitation. He said CPD and that facility have a strong relationship.

Theyre cooperative about everything, Clark said. I told them, Were friends as long as we can work like this.

On the issue of drugs, just putting people in jail is not working, he said.

Clark is emphasizing getting back to community-oriented policing, he said.

We started that in the 1980s with (APD) Chief (Ron) McBride working on neighborhood problems and resolving issues, Clark said. We need to get back into the community and get the community to support policing again.

Clark is also the DARE officer at Catlettsburg Elementary.

If he is ultimately elected Sheriff, Clark said his door would always be open and would be receptive about any concerns.

Reihs said the same in his interview with The Daily Independent.

After 24 years with the Boyd County Sheriffs Department and two with Boyd County Police prior to that Reihs made one of the hardest decisions hes had to make in his law enforcement career, he said. He tendered his resignation with Boyd Sheriffs in May 2021.

In order to run for sheriff, Reihs had to resign, he said, because of the merit system former Sheriff Terry Keelin implemented in Boyd County.

It broke my heart to go in there and have to resign, said Reihs, who had worked his way up to Chief Deputy under Woods.

Reihs donned a different badge almost immediately, though, when Russell Police brought him on part time. Not long after, Catlettsburg had a full-time opening for Reihs.

Like Clark, Reihss motivation for running for sheriff is simple:People.

The biggest thing is interacting with people and trying to help them,Reihs said. (Law enforcement) has always been something Ive been interested in and passionate about. Idont think youre going to find anybody willing to put the hours and effort in like I am.

While Reihs knows hell have to log a good deal of desk time if hes elected Sheriff given hed be the countys chief tax collector hell still be right out there in the middle of them. I dont care to arrest somebody, I dont care to work a wreck. Its a good feeling to get out and work with (fellow police officers).

Reihs said his No. 1 objective is to continue to be aggressive against drugs.

We cant arrest our way out of it,he said.

He also said more training for the deputies is needed, and that a special response team is very much needed, and I know it costs money.

Reihs acknowledged APD and Kentucky State Police have been awesome, but Idont want to be in a situation where APD, KSPand us are working critical incidents at the same time. We need to get an SRTto handle certain incidents.

Reihs said having patrol cruisers continuously throughout areas of Boyd County is a must, too.

Married with three children, Reihs said campaigning on top of working midnight shift and detailing vehicles on the side has consumed a bunch of hours, but its all been worth it.

Ive missed some things, but Ive enjoyed the interaction, talking and meeting people,he said. I like to have that interaction and feedback.

(606) 326-2664 |

asnyder@dailyindependent.com

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Battle of the C'burg badges: Clark, Reihs work to represent Republican Party in Sheriff's race - The Independent