The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
Sheriff Paul Lanteigne announced Monday that he would not seek re-election in November, paving the way for his chief deputy, Dennis Free, or state Sen. Ken Stolle to seek the office.
Lanteigne, a Republican, has held the post since 2000. He is a former police officer and has served on the City Council and School Board.
He said he has no immediate career plans but intends to continue teaching criminal justice and leadership courses part time through the fall semester at Tidewater Community College.
Virginia Beach Republican Party chairman Kenny Golden said Monday that he had spoken with Stolle and Free and both expressed interest in running for sheriff.
Free said he and Stolle would meet soon to discuss who would run for the office. He said they would not run against each other. Stolle did not return phone messages or an e-mail Monday.
Stolle, 54, is a former Beach police officer who has served as a Republican state senator since 1992. Free, a former Beach police captain, has been the sheriff's chief deputy since 2006.
Lanteigne, 55, would not offer an endorsement.
"I don't think it's the current sheriff's job to anoint somebody," he said.
Lanteigne said he and his wife plan to put their Virginia Beach house up for sale and look for a smaller home in the area. They will keep their vacation home in Florida, he said.
The sheriff oversees an office of about 600 employees, including about 400 sworn deputies, and about 1,300 inmates in the Virginia Beach Correctional Center. Lanteigne's salary last year was $150,647, according to city records.
Shawn Day, (757) 222-5131, shawn.day@pilotonline.com
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You want facts Daniel. Ken
You want facts Daniel. Ken Stolle was a cop. He wouldn't support the citizens of this commonwealth to use deadly force against an intruder and get immunity from civil libility if it was proven that the intruder(s) intended to kill or maime. He has never seemed to favor the citizens of this commonwealth to have the ability to protect or defend themselves like a LEO can. The same holds true for my delegate Bobby Mathieson - also a former cop. Stolle also argued with me that the creation of the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority (an unelected body of government created to collect taxes) was constitutional. The Supreme Cour proved him wrong overwhelmly. I don't have much use for any politician that will support or create unelected bodies to dictate and tax citizens. I don't know much about Sherrif Lanteigne. If Stolle runs for sheriff and leaves the legislature, then good riddance.
Why not try to back up your comments with facts?
After reading the first 2 comments I want to be one of the first to say that I'm 99.9% sure that neither of these posters know either of these men first hand, unless of course they are or were former inmates. After knowing and working for Paul Lanteigne for nearly 15 years all I can say is if all our government leaders lived and lead with his principals and ethics this would once again be the greatest country on the planet Earth. Ken Stolle has been a leader for years when it comes to looking out for the law enforcement communities members and citizens. Sheriff Lanteigne will be a tough act to follow. I believe Ken Stolle is a very competient man for the job as well as others that will probably seek the position of Sheriff. So to those that have something positive, or negative to say, please back up you statements with some kind of facts.
AMEN to that!
AMEN to that!
Excellent!
Now can get Stolle out of the legislature.