Lt. Brad Shutts announces run for Jasper County sheriff

Lt. Brad Shutts of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office announced earlier this month that he will be running for sheriff in the 2024 election.

In a Facebook post, Shutts said he is running for office “with a strong passion for serving my community and making a positive impact in our county.” If elected, he plans to focus on continuing strong community involvement in law enforcement processes, believing the importance of developing trust with residents.

“I also plan on continuing the improvements in our technology so that we maintain efficiency, transparency and safety of the public. I believe that my experience, dedication and passion for serving my community make me the ideal candidate for Jasper County sheriff,” Shutts said, promising to work tirelessly.

Shutts has dedicated 28 years to public safety, starting as a reserve deputy for five years at the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office and a deputy for one year at the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office before spending the past 22 years in the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. Shutts has also been a lieutenant for 14 years.

“Public safety has been instilled in me all my life,” Shutts told Newton News in a phone interview on Sept. 6. “My dad was in law enforcement, my brother is in law enforcement. Jasper County was my career goal and I’ve been here starting 22 years as of a couple of days ago. I want to continue to serving the community.”

Building relationships between law enforcement officers and citizens is important to Shutts, saying the sheriff’s office cannot operate effectively without the support of the public. From what Shutts has gathered over the years, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office gets a lot of support from its citizens.

“From tips to our community interventions and school resource officer (program) and building on that,” he said. “Maybe look at expanding on that as we see funds becoming available to do such. Getting involved in the community, I think we do a good job of that. Transparency is important in everything we can do.

“It’s always about community support. We’re part of the community, too. We all have to work together to fulfill what we need to get done.”

Shutts is also running as an independent, saying the position of sheriff should not be under any political affiliation.

“We have to follow Iowa law and the Constitution, and that’s what we do,” Shutts said. “I want to see a Jasper County united and not divided by politics. I’m not saying other offices are driven by politics, but I just don’t feel the sheriff should be driven by a political party.”

In addition to serving on the command team overseeing the 60 or so employees in the sheriff’s office, Shutts has been an integral part in the communications division. Shutts has helped lead the county’s communication system upgrades by acquiring radio towers that help all first responders in Jasper County.

“I’ve devoted quite a bit of time into that, and it was a lot of responsibility,” Shutts said. “I’m glad the sheriff gave me that responsibility. It’s one of the major things that has happened in the county for quite some time for public safety … Communication is a huge part of the job.”

Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty has expressed his intentions to retire at the end of his term on Dec. 31, 2024. Shortly after Shutts made his announcement, Halferty made his own post on Facebook saying he fully supports Shutts in his bid for sheriff. He also warned Shutts that the job “turns your hair gray.”