Jay Pitts Jr., a police officer at the Lincoln Airport Authority with 21 years of law enforcement experience, on Wednesday announced he will run for Lancaster County Sheriff.
Pitts, a former Lincoln police officer and Lancaster County sheriff’s deputy, said he wants to make the sheriff’s office “an agency that other agencies want to model themselves after†by creating a team concept, enhancing employee morale and using modern training to increase communication and transparency.
Pitts, 47, said he developed his strong sense of commitment and service to his community from his father, John Pitts Sr., a 32-year veteran of the Lincoln Police Department who joined the force in 1973 after earning two national championships while playing football at Nebraska.
A lifelong resident of Lancaster County, Pitts said he would “fairly enforce current laws instead of using the sheriff’s office to change laws or influence lawmakers,†a reference to Sheriff Terry Wagner's successful challenge of the medical marijuana petition drive.
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“As sheriff, the enforcement of the law is paramount. I have no intentions of interjecting personal beliefs into creating new laws,†said Pitts. “That job is for the legislative branch of our government. The office of sheriff should enforce laws as they currently stand, and enforce new laws as they are created.â€
Wagner, who has served as sheriff since 1994, has not said whether he will run for reelection.
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Pitts, who has worked as a Lincoln Airport Authority officer since 2012, was a Lincoln police officer from 1995-2000 and a sheriff’s deputy from 2005-11. He was a criminal investigator in the sheriff’s office for two years in addition to other duties, and served as a field training officer for LPD during his tenure.
A Lincoln native, Pitts also worked as car salesman for Honda of Lincoln and has been an insurance agent for Farm Bureau Financial Services since 2011. He attended Southeast Community College and studied criminal justice at the University of Nebraska.
He is a board member for Lincoln Lighthouse, an after-school program for students.
Pitts, a registered Democrat, said he plans to meet with local community leaders throughout his campaign to hear their concerns and ideas.
“As a 21-year veteran I know a lot, but learning and understanding the needs of the people we protect and serve is ongoing. I am committed to making this department a great place to work and something our community can be proud of.â€
Pitts and his wife, Maegan, have two children, Michael and Ora.
Top Journal Star photos for September
Top Journal Star photos for September
Portrait of graffiti artist Micah Mullins, who was commissioned to create a new mural in a little-known tunnel beneath the train tracks at Third and F streets. The project is part of the upcoming Streets Alive festival, sponsored by Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln. The mural depicts the neighborhood’s identity – a train, Quinn Chapel, the Mexican flag, the Volga German crest, an outline of the African continent, among others. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Top Journal Star photos for September
Nebraska fan Daniel Lenz (center) reacts after the game gets sent into overtime on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at The Railyard. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Nebraska's Billie Andrews connects with a pitch during a Sept. 27, 2021, game at Bowlin Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Top Journal Star photos for September
Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson (99) looks on after Michigan State won in overtime, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Scott Rosenbaugh, captain of the Narwhals, walks to the water station after finishing the Market to Market run on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Haymarket. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Nebraska’s Madi Kubik dives for an Iowa shot in the third set on Sept. 25, 2021, at Devaney Sports Center. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Top Journal Star photos for September
Pius X's Carson Winer (83) high fives students as he runs off the field after the game on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Seacrest Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Lincoln Lutheran's Max Bartels (10) gets hit by Yutan's Isaiah Daniell on a first-quarter run on Friday, Sept. 24, 2020, at Aldrich Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Top Journal Star photos for September
(L - R) Josie Ivy, Emma Bitterman and Kita Hall, all University of Nebraska - Lincoln students and Sustain UNL members, holds signs as David Corbin (background) carries an earth flag as part of the Global Climate Strike on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, on the steps of the Capitol. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
The chair that Principal Kevin Naumann will be sleeping in sits on the roof of St. Joseph Catholic School before he is raise up on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, at St. Joseph School. Naumann agreed to sleep on the roof of the school if the goal for the school's fall fundraiser was met. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Scaffolding surrounds The Sower, a 19-foot tall bronze statue which represents Nebraska's agricultural heritage, on Sept. 23, 2021, at the Nebraska State Capitol, as part of restoration and repair work which is expected to take 20 weeks. The scaffolding will enclose the entire dome allowing the workers to remove and store any loose gold glazed tile while they replace the water-damaged bed beneath. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Top Journal Star photos for September
Lincoln East's Noah Walters (right) throws the one of his four touchdown passes in the first half against Lincoln Southeast on Sept. 23, 2021, at Seacrest Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Top Journal Star photos for September
Clinton Elementary fifth graders sit on the steps of the Sheldon Art Museum while on an outdoor tour field trip on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, at Sheldon Museum of Art. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Lincoln Lutheran history teacher Nathan Bassett waves to students as he holds a trophy for Nebraska History Teacher of the Year during an assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, at Lincoln Lutheran. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Waverly's Maci Steckelberg gets tagged out by Norris' Sage Burbach at first after attempting to steal second on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at Waverly High School. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Nebraska's Lindsay Krause celebrates a second set kill on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at Devaney Sports Center. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
NORMAN, OK. - 09/18/2021 - Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scrambles to avoid the tackle from Oklahoma's Isaiah Thomas (95) in the second half on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Norman, Okla. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Top Journal Star photos for September
Nebraska cheerleaders Logan Larsen (bottom) and Haiden Loop cheer on the northside of the stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Top Journal Star photos for September
(L - R) Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks speaks with Sen. Justin Wayne during debate of redistricting legislation on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, on the floor of the Legislature. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Softball under the lights at Holmes Lake Park on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. The lights are scheduled for replacement in the future. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Top Journal Star photos for September
An Antonov AH-124, a large Russian military plane that’s been converted to carry cargo, in this case a 220,000-pound boiler that’s going somewhere north of Sioux City, sits on the tarmac on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at Lincoln Airport. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Top Journal Star photos for September
Fremont's Elli Dahl (82), Elkhorn South's Jaci Sievers (52) and Lincoln East's Mia Murray lead the girls varsity race at the Harold Scott Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at Pioneers Park. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Sen. Adam Morfeld (foreground) references printed maps during a redistricting hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, at the Capitol. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Norris' Ella Waters (left) and Waverly's Hanna Allick battle in front of the net during a high school volleyball game, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Firefighters work to put out fire of an airplane simulator during a disaster drill Lincoln Airport, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Southwest players cheer their teammates on from the dugout on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, at Doris Bair Complex. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
James Green (blue) watches Ryan Deakin (red) as they circle each other during the 70 kg Men's Freestyle match on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
James Green signs autographs for fans after his win on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Nebraska's Kenzie Coons (10) falls after an attempted slide tackle by Loyola-Chicago's Alaina Abel (4) on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, at Hibner Stadium. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for September
Nebraska's Nicklin Hames (1) bumps the ball on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Devaney Center. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for September
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) dives in the end zone for the Huskers first touchdown in the first quarter against Fordham on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for September
Lincoln Northeast's Trevor Vocasek (17), Dylan Gray (9), Connor Alley (6), and Gavin Wilbur (71) prepare to take the field for warm ups on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at Seacrest Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for September
David Hollingsworth walks his grandson Jordan (11) to the stadium before the game against Fordham on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for September
Lincoln Lutheran's Gabriel Schmidt (20) intercepts a ball intended for Lincoln Christian's Ben Ehlers (23) in the closing moments of the game as teammate Cooper May (11) looks on Friday, Sept 3, 2021, at Lincoln Christian School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for September
Lincoln Northeast's Jack Bouwens (15) kisses his girlfriend Jaedyn Sandy after Northeast won the game on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at Seacrest Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for September
A tree trunk growing through the bumper of a 1949 Chevrolet pickup is seen in this photo taken on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Nebraska's Kayla Caffey (3) and Lexi Sun (11) block Omaha's Lakyn Graves (18) during the Ameritas Players Challenge on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at the Devaney Sports Center. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Art teacher Elizabeth Thomsen waves goodbye to her online class at Roper Elementary School, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Students walk past a Know More banner on the Delta Upsilon fraternity on the University of Nebraska - Lincoln city campus on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for September
Darrius Booker practices basketball drills at Trago Park, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com .
On Twitter @LJSreist
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