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WHEELING - Tom Howard has been serving the public in law enforcement for decades and now he wants to continue his service by becoming Ohio County's newest magistrate court judge.
Howard, 56, is currently Ohio County's sheriff, a position he has held for eight years. It is a position that is term limited and he has reached the two-term maximum.
"I'm very big into the community. I enjoy working with the community," he said.
For example, along with his public service work as a Wheeling Police Department officer and now sheriff, Howard has led the Kids and Cops event for 16 years and has been president of the Fraternal Order of Police for 16 years as well. He is also vice president of the sheriff's association. Howard said that, as sheriff, he has also worked with members of the legislature to improve laws. He is also the West Virginia State DARE coordinator and served as a school resource officer for six years.
"I'm just not done yet. I still want to serve," Howard said. "My dad (Harry Howard) was one of the first magistrates in the state of West Virginia. In 1976, they changed from constables to magistrates. My dad was one of the first ones in Marshall County."
Howard's father died in 2020 at the age of 91. If elected, Howard plans to hang a photo of his father being sworn in his new office.
"I have a lot to give. This is my community. I raised a family here," he said.
Howard and his wife, Kathy, have three daughters together: Jenna, 21; Morgan, 19; and Layken, 16.
Howard said he will be a fair judge for everyone. He believes his law enforcement background will be helpful in the position.
"It's a nonpartisan race and that's what it's all about - treating everyone fair," he said. "And making sure everything is done correctly and properly. ... Especially these days with the way times are, everyone needs to be treated fairly. There is a law and order to it, but we have to maintain that law and order properly."
Howard believes being involved with the law enforcement for more than 30 years helps him stand apart from his political opponent. His years of work with the public will be helpful, too.
"As a magistrate judge, I'll be working with all kinds of people and all levels with people. And I feel I've done that well in my 30 years," he said. "It's why my career has gone very good in law enforcement, because I can get along with people. I can talk to people calmly. ... When you talk to people normally, you can calm them down."
Howard said right now he is "a working sheriff," and if elected he plans on being "a working magistrate."
"That's what it's about. When you dedicate your life to public service, that's who you work for. I work for the citizens of Ohio County and that's how it has to be," he said. "I'm out and about as sheriff; I'm not an office-sitter. ... I want to help everybody I can."