Mike Le Roux Testimonials
Le Roux: Community Spirit (Pagosa Springs Sun June 2nd, 2022)
Dear Editor,
I noted with interest the two side-by-side advertisements for Sheriff in the May 19th edition of The Sun. One of the candidates, Mr. Neagle’s advertisement notes “I will regain the community’s trust” and “…put the Sheriff’s Office back in the community.”
I can attest to the trust and committed community spirit Mike Le Roux built during the time I was Superintendent of Archuleta School District and Mike was Commander of Emergency Management at the Sheriff’s Office from around 2016 until my retirement in July 2020.
Here are a few of the interactions I can remember: Mike instigated, coordinated and facilitated valuable monthly multi-agency / organization coordination meetings, many of which I attended; He would call me at 5am on winter mornings to discuss snow delays, bus routes that might be affected and county impacts; After we received a series of grants that allowed us to purchase improved radio communication devices, Mike was instrumental in the ’school safe program’, conducting radio use training and programming for school radios and coordinating with Dispatch; He proactively planned and coordinated discussions on Active Threats within our school district, which l know later culminated in an important workshop/multiagency table top event; He brokered an updated Red Cross sheltering agreement to include the school district in evacuation plans, re-establishing necessary relationships; He has participated in numerous ‘career days’ through the High School and has also been involved in a number of trainings and presentations to various groups of children and adults in his various capacities.
Mike is a top level thinker who demonstrates proactive forward planning on a community-wide scale. He is an excellent and clear presenter, communicator, and trainer, and he’s dependable and trustworthy. He has a long demonstrable track record of community engagement and builds sincere and solid relationships wherever he goes.
Additionally, he could be found reading and talking to the kids at the elementary school with the Sheriff’s Office school reading program.
My vote for Sheriff goes to Mike Le Roux.
Sincerely,
– Linda Reed
Le Roux: Effective Leader (Pagosa Springs Sun June 2nd, 2022)
I retired after 30 years in law enforcement. I held supervisory and managerial assignments in patrol, investigations, and SWAT. I know from my own experience what it takes to effectively lead law enforcement to accomplish the mission of delivering the best protection and service possible to the citizenry.
In 2018, I became a member of Upper San Juan Search and Rescue. Since then, I have gotten to observe first-hand Mike Le Roux’s leadership and management style. He consistently leads by example and strives towards perfection. Mike is a natural leader and has the ability to direct a diverse group of individuals towards accomplishing a shared goal.
As the Director of Emergency Management prior to being appointed Undersheriff, Mike had a multitude of diverse responsibilities, including wildland fire and search and rescue. Mike was responsible for leading people and managing projects and resources. He provided training and equipment necessary for successful outcomes in critical incidents, all while operating within a meager budget. During the COVID pandemic, Mike was responsible for managing the county-level response.
Undersheriff Le Roux models a high degree of professionalism and personal accountability. He also demands professional conduct by his subordinates and has made it known that he will not tolerate misconduct. He expects his staff to treat everyone with dignity, compassion, and respect. If they fail to do so, he will take prompt and appropriate disciplinary action. The citizens deserve this, and Mike demands it.
The role of Sheriff is quite complex. The ACSO currently has a staff of 45, of which 18 are sworn personnel. ACSO is responsible for patrol, investigations, and running the jail. Mike has immersed himself in learning the roles and responsibilities of each member of the agency. He is cognizant of the role of Sheriff being to direct his resources (personnel & equipment) in the most efficient and beneficial manner for the public good.
Mike is not only dedicated to his profession, but is also actively involved in the community outside of work. He has participated in numerous charitable causes, including “Dancing with the stars,” GECKO, Seeds of Learning, Rise Above Violence, and Special Olympics. Mike is invested in our community and passionate about the safety and well-being of everyone in Archuleta County.
It is for the reasons stated above that I believe Mike Le Roux will make a great Sheriff of Archuleta County. A vote for Mike is a vote for leadership, integrity, accountability, professionalism, and safety. Mike’s leadership as Sheriff will enhance the quality of life for the residents of Archuleta County and make our community an even better place to live or visit. Please join me in helping Mike being elected as our Sheriff.
Respectfully submitted,
– Chris Boyd
Support for Mike Le Roux (Pagosa Springs Sun June 2nd, 2022)
I’m writing in support of Mike Le Roux for Sheriff. I have known and worked with Mike since 2014 while I was the Executive Director of SEEDS of Learning. I first met Mike when he was with another local non profit called G.E.C.K.O (Giving Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors) and we teamed up to create an annual program called ‘getting little seeds outdoors’. Between GECKO and Seeds we managed to get whole classes of little kiddos outside and into the woods for a day, finding finding fun ways for them to enjoy and interact with nature. For his imposing size Mike was very good at finding ways to ‘get down to their level’ and engage them, sharing his passion for the outdoors with them. After this Mike continued his support of SEEDS in various ways and both he and Kirsten were always enthusiastic about opportunities for the improvement of early childhood education in our county.
During his time at the Sheriff’s Office Mike was involved in the ‘Reading to the Kids’ program and he and other deputies would fold their large frames in tiny SEEDS chairs to read children’s books they had selected. However, probably the most memorable contribution Mike made to SEEDS was by being a Star at the 2019 Dancing with the Stars fundraising event where he trained for months to present a stylish salsa and raised a boatload of much needed money.
I have found Mike to be selfless, giving, reliable, personable and an excellent communicator. I believe that the Sheriff is first and foremost a person of and for the community, and Mike has proved that he is this through and through, consistently over many years.
– Lynne Bridges
Stand behind Mike Le Roux (Pagosa Springs Sun May 26th, 2022)
As a Naturalized Citizen of the United States of America Mike has an appreciation for our Nation. He has gone through the process legally to enjoy the privileges that America offers to its citizens. Like many before him, he came here in the right way, and he is exercising upon the opportunities that our nation offers each and every one of us.
Mike Le Roux has had the rare opportunity to observe other governments throughout his life. These governments have not always offered their citizens the same freedoms we so enjoy in the United States of America. He recognizes that our freedoms are rare, fragile and a privilege. He understands our rights as law abiding citizens and is dedicated to defending them. He has worked hard and diligently to protect and defend those under his command.
The benefits of the expertise Mike Le Roux brings to our County has only improved things for all of us who reside here. He brings integrity by observing the law, and we can only express gratitude for the enforcement we’ve observed he has implemented in our county already. We find that he serves with humility, but takes pride in the badge that he stands behind, and he is reliable in his word and in his actions.
We know that one man cannot do it alone, but it does take one man to step up to the plate, take the heat, and set the record straight. He’s a man that is physically fit to do the job and mentally strong to take the strain of a leadership position. Therefore we stand behind Mike Le Roux and support him, as our next Archuleta County Sheriff.
-Chadd and Christa Carnley
Nomination Speech for the Archuleta County Republican
Assembly held on March 19, 2022
JESSE M. MOREHOUSE
Brigadier General, National Guard & Archuleta County Resident
Today, it is my privilege to nominate Mike Le Roux for Sheriff.
I do not make this nomination lightly. The Sheriff is arguably the most
important elected official when it comes to the day-to-day business of
the county. While Commissioners have an important focus on the
future, the Sheriff ensures the well-being of our community through
enforcement of our laws, keeping the peace, and handling a broad
array of challenges from wildfires to search and rescue, to even propane delivery.
We must choose our Sheriff wisely. That wise choice is Mike Le Roux.
I say this for two reasons. First, leadership. Mike is a fantastic leader.
He has the enthusiasm, decisiveness, ability to listen, and
collaborative nature our fine law enforcement professionals expect in
their leader. Further, if you know Mike, you know he would never ask
someone to do something he would not do himself, a highly desirable
trait to look for in any leader.
Second, Mike provides both continuity and fresh perspective. He has
proven himself in multiple high stress leadership positions within the
Sheriff’s Office and is ready to take the reins. His understanding of the
entire array of challenges facing the Sheriff’s Office from law
enforcement to wildfires combined with his great relationships across
the community and in the region will allow for a smooth transition. That
smooth transition doesn’t mean Mike won’t be constantly seeking to
improve and build on the foundation of success laid down by the great
law enforcement officers who help make Archuleta County such a
wonderful place for us all. I know with Mike in the lead, our Sheriff’s
Office will be ready for the future.
For these reasons and many more, I proudly nominate Mike Le Roux
for Sheriff of Archuleta county!
– Jesse Morehouse
Best Qualified Candidate
Dear Editor, (Pagosa Springs Sun June 9th, 2022)
I have researched Mike Le Roux’s record as Archuleta County Director of
Emergency Management and as Undersheriff as well as his contributions
to our community while he was still working for GECKO. I have also
spoken to Mike and to people I know and trust who have worked with and
for him.
In addition, I have read all the letters to the editor in support of Mike Le
Roux from people I know, trust, and respect who have worked closely with
him over the last eight years. With what I personally know of the way he
has operated, I believe that he has the knowledge, experience, and
compassion necessary for the job and is the best qualified candidate for
our next Archuleta County Sheriff.
Please join me in voting for Mike Le Roux for Sheriff!
– Jim Huffman
Dear Editor (Pagosa Springs Sun June 16th, 2022)
I support Mike Le Roux in his bid to be our next Archuleta County Sheriff.
In my time here as a journalist, I knew five county sheriffs, reporting on their activities and those of their subordinates. I knew several of the sheriffs well, on a personal level. I watched all these officials and the members of their departments do commendable work and, at other times, do less than well. In the process, I developed an opinion concerning what it takes in terms of skills and character for a sheriff to serve the community as effectively as possible.
Mike Le Roux possesses these skills and this character.
Mike is a POST-certified Colorado law enforcement officer who also possesses the administrative talents necessary to be successful as a sheriff. His working heading up Upper San Juan Search and Rescue, and the Emergency Management department, required administrative and leadership expertise and led to his appointment at Undersheriff, a job requiring involvement at all aspects of the operation of the agency – in the field. Mike has proven himself extremely capable, adaptable, and energetic. He understands the tasks set before him, and he knows how to deal with them.
And he knows the community/
It takes a decade or more to begin to know this place – its physical characteristics, and it’s people. This can’t happen over the course of a few years. Mike put in the effort, establishing a deep connection with residents and organizations in all parts of the county, with people of all ages, in all circumstances. He accomplished this over a considerable period of time, with work in law enforcement and related agencies, and with volunteer activities with groups such as GECKO, Seeds of Learning, and Rise Above Violence.
Mike is prepared and qualified to deal with the many challenges that face our next sheriff, among them the need to hire and retain high quality individuals, given the inevitable budget constraints, effective and ongoing training of road and detention personnel: dealing openly and honestly with county residents, listening when residents voice concerns, and responding appropriately; analyzing policies and practices, and making necessary changes; recognizing and dealing with day-to-day organizational details, as well as with the sometimes stressful internal agency and public situations that occur, regardless or who occupies the office.
All this and more comes with the job, and the undertaking requires a strong leader and a person of integrity. Mike’s desire to constantly seek both organizational and personal improvement and his ability to lead by example, are powerful and positive qualities he will bring to a critically important organization.
I urge my friends and neighbors to cast their ballots for Mike Le Roux.
– Karl Isberg
“I met Mike Le Roux when we were both volunteers for a local nonprofit and became friends with him and his wife after spending dozens of hours together supporting the nonprofit. Mike’s leadership and character was demonstrated by the long hours he put in doing things behind the scenes that most people didn’t realize occurred – things like providing assistance outside of the scope of his assigned duties and providing guidance to large crowds. He has the ability to look at the big picture in any situation to make sure many moving pieces fall into place and maintains professional composure when things go wrong.
I’ve admired his progress from working for Wildland Fire to becoming the Director of Emergency Services and then Undersheriff. Mike has earned every job position he’s taken by not only learning what is required, but excelling to be the best at what he does. He is a team player that brings out the best in others and motivates those around him, including me, to strive to be better and do more.
As a county resident for nearly 30 years I’ve lived through the growth of our area and see the need for professional, experienced people in positions of leadership. After seeing the work done by Mike, his ability to handle stressful situations, and his professional ethics, I’m proud to have Mike Le Roux as a friend, and I wholeheartedly recommend him for the position of Sheriff of Archuleta County.”
– Natalie Carpenter
“As the current Undersheriff (appointed Dec 2021), he is in the best position to identify the strengths and shortcomings of the Department and take the necessary steps to ensure the needs of Archuleta County citizens are met. His experience, combined with his current strong relationships with regional law enforcement entities, will be of great value to this office. He is an effective communicator, makes deliberate decisions, is honest and dependable.”
-Lisa & Bob Scott