Former Topeka police detective elected as Shawnee County sheriff
![Retired Topeka police Detective Brian Hill addresses the crowd during Saturday morning's precinct committee meeting, where Hill was elected as the new Shawnee County sheriff after former Sheriff Herman Jones was appointed to lead the Kansas Highway Patrol by Gov. Laura Kelly. Hill beat candidates Don Troth, Doug Younger and Tony Weingartner to win the election. [Chris Neal/The Capital-Journal]](/gcdn/authoring/2019/04/13/NTCJ/ghows-KS-8670315e-2131-3dd0-e053-0100007fa862-b51e4fc5.jpeg?width=660&height=521&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Retired Topeka police Detective Brian Hill was elected as Shawnee County sheriff on Saturday by the Shawnee County Republican Party.
Three rounds of voting took place and Hill won the third round with 101 votes out of 197.
“I’m honored that the people chose me to be sheriff of Shawnee County and I’m excited about the possibility of going to work,” Hill said. “I’m looking forward to supporting the troops and seeing if I can’t facilitate some things that would make their lives and jobs easier on the street.”
Doug Younger and Tony Weingartner, both Kansas Bureau of Investigation officials, and Don Troth, retired Shawnee County District Court administrator, were nominated for sheriff, as well.
Hill started working for the Topeka Police Department in 1991 then retired in 2017.
During his time with the police department, Hill said he was part of a 10-man gang task force and worked to combat gangs in Topeka for 10 years.
“I’ve left my sweat, blood and skin on the streets of this city and I’m willing to do it again,” Hill said during his speech prior to voting. “And I can promise you this, you’ve got good candidates but what you see is what you get with me. If you elect me, I’ll go to work for you.”
During the question-and-answer portion of the convention, candidates were asked how many years they have been Republicans and if their spouses were Republicans.
Hill said he has been a Republican since becoming a police officer. His wife and three daughters are all Republicans.
Prior to being a police officer, Hill said he was not a political person but had conservative values.
When asked of his plan for running the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Hill said he first wants to meet with trainers of the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and find out what the problems are from a street-level perspective.
“I want to put people back to work,” Hill said. “I want guys doing the proactive policing work. I know that is a challenging doctrine to initially put in, but I also know that it can be done.”
Hill’s appointment will now be sent to Gov. Laura Kelly for approval.
