Sheriff Ronald Mowery

Served 1983 to 1990

Chronicle Tribune
November 3, 1982
By Willie Wofford
C-T Staff Writer

Mowery leads ticket in sheriff victory

A word used in Ronald Mowery’s campaign slipped off the tongues of several people Tuesday night when they found out he was the top vote getter in the county in defeating Democrat Raymond Marley for Grant County Sheriff – “Wow!” Mowery, 40, 5440 E. 350 N, Marion, is Marion police chief and the first person in Marion’s history to become Grant County Sheriff while
serving as police chief. Signs proclaiming, “Wow! It’s Rown Mowery Republican for Sheriff,” were scattered throughout Grant County during the campaign for sheriff. Offical returns showed Mowery received 14,997 votes to Marley’s 9,438 votes. When Mowery announced his candidacy Jan. 16, he said he sets goals and has never been satisfied with “good enough.” He also said his family gave him a pin that reads: “Expect a miracle.” After he defeated Grant County Sheriff William Riggs in the May primary election, Mowery said, “We wanted the job and we were going to go after it in an aggressive, professional manner.” While savoring his victory Tuesday nightaat the Republican headquarters in Marion, Mowery, his arms folded across his chest, said, “I
guess I’m just kind of waiting on it to soak in. I’m real pleased with the wide base of support and contribution we were able to get.” Mowery said he thought he would do well in his bid to become
sheriff, but he did not know he would be as victorious as he was. He looked through the crowd, acknowledging his supporters, shaking hands and receiving pats on the back. Marley, 59, 403 S. Third St., Van Buren, walked to the Republican headquarters to congratulate Mowery. Seconds before he entered the building, Marley, Van Buren town marshal, said, “I went out and worked
and did the best I could.” A former Grant County Sheriff from Jan. 1, 1975 through Dec. 31, 1978, Marley called his defeat by Mowery the people’s choice. Standing between his two sons, Jim and Joseph, Marley then entered the building and congratulated Mowery. Mowery will continue as police chief until Jan 1, 1983. “We’re going to be business as usual for the next few days anyway,” he said, adding that he has a lot of work to do at the police department. Mayor Fred D. Weagley echoed Mowery’s statement when asked about his plans to appoint another police chief. “Ron Mowery’s chief until Jan. 1, at least,” a jubilant Weagley said, refusing to say when he planned to appoint a new police chief. “Unless he comes to me and says he wants out early, he’s there until 12:01 a.m., Jan. 1, and the same for Steve Johnson.”  Johnson is the Marion city attorney. Weagley smiled when asked how he plans to fill the vacancies that will be left by Mowery and Johnson, a Republican who won the race for Grant County prosecutor. “I just lost them both,” he said with a laugh. Weagley said he thought Mowery would win by a bigger margin over Marley. He said Mowery’s attitude throughout the campaign was phenomenal. Stuart Secttor, Mowery’s campaign chairman, said many people worked hard to help Mowery win the election. Secttor said it was his first time serving as a campaign chairman and he learned a lot about elections. “When friends ask you to help, if you can do it you do it,” he said.