Eldon City Marshal Brian Kidwell is defending his position against challenger Michael Rayhart, a captain at the Miller County Sheriff's office, in the April 3 municipal election.
The Eldon city marshal position, a publicly elected chief police officer of the community, is contested by two law enforcement veterans with a lot of experience in Eldon.
While the incumbent marshal believes the department is on the right track, the challenger believes its officers should be more involved with residents and improve its working relationship with other law enforcement agencies.
Kidwell said the Eldon Police Department is doing well to defend the peace while respecting its residents.
"Eldon police officers should continue working with its citizens, listening to their needs as well and keeping up with all changes in the law to serve and protect this city and its citizens the best that we can," he said. "I do not feel the police department should be in everyone's lives every day. But they must trust that, if they call, we will come and do the best job we can as a department; and I feel we as a whole do that and need to continue doing so in the future."
Rayhart said the department's officers need to increase their involvement in the community and its residents.
"Eldon Police Department needs a change in leadership, and I have the knowledge and dedication to provide the citizens of Eldon quality law enforcement," he said. "Eldon is my home, and I'm devoted to serving Eldon and want the citizens of Eldon to invest in me. I believe I'm the better candidate and can take the Eldon Police Department to the next level."
Brian Kidwell
Kidwell began his career in law enforcement in 1999 as a jailer at the Miller County Detention Center. Two years later, he became a county road deputy after graduating from the Missouri Deputy Sheriff's Association Police Academy. In 2002, he began investigating methamphetamine in Miller County, before being promoted to sheriff's department detective in 2004. He served there until 2008, when he was hired as an Eldon detective, and worked his way from lieutenant to chief of police.
"I have been a part of working many cases throughout the city of Eldon for many years now and have had the opportunity to meet a large number of the citizens of Eldon," Kidwell said.
Kidwell said reducing drug activity, burglaries and violent crimes has been among his department's greatest achievements.
"We hit the criminal element in Eldon hard without disturbing the citizens raising their families," he said. "We have a great working relationship with the citizens of Eldon, and together, we are working to make Eldon a safe and inviting place to raise our families."
Kidwell said the city is his beloved home, a unique place with giving people he is driven to protect.
"I have been a part of Eldon my entire life," he said. "I have raised a family who have and are attending school in the Eldon school system. I love this town and am honored to lead the Eldon Police Department in protecting what we love and where our loved ones live."
Michael Rayhart
Rayhart is a U.S. Navy veteran, Missouri Army National Guard member and Miller County Sheriff's Department captain with more than 20 years of public service experience and a degree in criminal justice administration.
Rayhart said the city police department needs to work more closely with other law enforcement agencies to build valuable professional relationships to accomplish goals like removing more drugs from the city.
The Eldon local grew up with a police officer father. Rayhart said he knew from an early age he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and one day become the city's police chief.
After serving in the Navy, he worked as a jailer for the Miller County Sheriff's Office and worked his way through the ranks to patrol officer, detective, sergeant and now captain.
He is a First Church of the Nazarene board member, member of the Eldon Lions Club and VFW Post 2442, board president for the Lake Area Sexual Assault Team, Capital City CIT council member, and member of the Lake Area Major Case Squad.
"I don't believe it's just one or two things that make me a good candidate for Eldon city marshal, but a culmination of everything I have experienced throughout my life," Rayhart said. "Law enforcement is very enjoyable for me, and I care very much about this community, as many of my friends and family live and work here. I enjoy serving as the chief deputy of Miller County and wish to serve the Eldon community more closely."