Much has been made in the news lately regarding former Davidson County Sheriff Gerald Hege throwing his name in the hat for reelection next year, and for the life of me I can’t see the reason why.

Other than the fact Hege is a convicted felon and was removed from office for obstruction of justice, the reason this man is attracting so much attention escapes me. I realize in the news business that finding a credible story to put in the paper is not the easiest thing to do all the time. But when I see and read story after story regarding Hege running for sheriff in 2010, the same question keeps crossing my mind — why?

Even before I started working in Davidson County, I knew who Hege was, from the spider car to the pink jail cells. While that’s all fun and dandy, I knew of Hege mostly from his antics than his credibility as a law enforcement officer. Some people are sure to disagree with me on this and paint Hege as a savior to police around the country, but I find it hard to believe he is a better choice for sheriff than incumbent David Grice.

In my time working in the county, I’ve found Sheriff Grice to be extremely accessible, professional and respectable. If Grice was sheriff of Guilford County, I would find it comforting to know a man like him is responsible for serving the public where my tax dollars go. I don’t see Sheriff Grice riding around in the ‘bat mobile’ or hopping on the back of crotch rocket motorcycle I’d expect to see at Myrtle Beach after high school graduation.

Here at the Times, we receive police reports from several local law enforcement agencies, including the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. There are times when the subject nature is delicate and police refrain from giving out too much information because it could damage their case in the long run. I understand that. What Grice understands is that reporters have a job to do as well, and he goes out of his way to help me get out the most information possible to the citizens of Davidson County who read our paper.

I also know that Sheriff Grice works very closely with neighboring police on a variety of different matters. I have followed him to Montgomery County where DCSO assisted with a massive breaking and entering ring that involved Denton and I spoke with him shortly after he left the funeral of Mickey Hutchens, a Winston Salem police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty. I have a pretty good sense of where Grice’s priorities are, and they don’t involve putting spider webs on a squad car.

In no way am I questioning Hege’s commitment to his officers or the sheriff’s office. I also saw him leaving the Winston-Salem Police Department shortly after the death of Hutchens, and I’m fairly confident he has the best interests of his officers close to heart. What I do question is Hege’s agenda. Finding the limelight is one thing. Thrusting one’s self into the spotlight through gimmicks and antics is another.

Is Hege good for TV? Sure. Is Hege good for reporters needing a story? Yes. Is Hege the right choice as sheriff of Davidson County? No.

Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 888-35768, or duke@tvilletimes.com.