LEXINGTON — Feeling he’s leading his department in the right direction, Sheriff David Grice filed for re-election Monday morning at the Davidson County Board of Elections.

Grice, Davidson County’s incumbent sheriff, will run as a republican against former sheriff Gerald Hege, Terry Price and Edgar Shuler in the May primary. Grice, a lifelong resident of Davidson County became sheriff in June, 2004, and believes his resume, experience and ability to work with surrounding law enforcement agencies makes him a viable candidate to continue leading the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in the future.

“I think I am a good candidate,” Grice said. “I took time to go back to school, and was actually involved in law enforcement while others were just starting their careers. I want the department to remain successful, viable and current.”

Since becoming sheriff, Grice said he has made strides towards rebuilding public trust of the DCSO and its deputies. Grice took over as sheriff after Hege, his predecessor, resigned amidst a scandal involving money missing from the vice and narcotics unit of DCSO. Hege eventually pleaded guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of justice for attempting to cover up the situation and was placed on probation.

Grice’s low-key style is polar opposite of Hege, who was known for antics such as painting cells pink and starring in a reality TV program.

“I pledge that I have not and will not use the office of Davidson County Sheriff to promote myself, sell merchandise, create reality TV shows or participate in any other money-making schemes,” said Grice in a press release. “Most candidates fill their press releases with promises of what they hope to accomplish. [I’ve] earned a second term based on accomplishments, not campaign promises.”

Grice pointed out that there was a 25 percent reduction in Part 1 crimes in 2009, his office has arrested and convicted more than 450 sex offenders, seized drug money has been used to purchase equipment that increase officer efficiency and safety, and he implemented a very successful breaking and entering task force charged with preventing and investigating larcenies and other such violations.

“Because of the situation that occurred, we changed the image of the sheriff’s department,” Grice said. “There’s a lot of things I would like to finish. I’m in good health and would like to continue on with some of our programs.”

Grice graduated from Denton High School in 1968 and earned a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1990.

Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 888-3578, or duke@tvilletimes.com.