Narrowed by the September primary from a field of four, two experienced law enforcement officers — Deputy Bill Cross and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Special Agent Phil Hodapp — vied for the Beltrami County Sheriff’s position in Tuesday’s election.
With all 62 precincts reporting, Hodapp won with 8,904 votes, or 54 percent. Cross had 7,519 votes, or 46 percent.
The sheriff’s race to replace current Sheriff Keith Winger, who will retire at the end of 2006 after two terms in office, was one of the most anticipated local competitions in Tuesday’s election. Both candidates have lifetime careers in law enforcement and are knowledgeable about Beltrami County and the area’s concerns. And both candidates said they had considered running for sheriff for some time.
Hodapp, 50, grew up in Mankato and attended Mankato State University, worked for the Amarillo, Texas, Police Department and the Texas State Patrol, before returning the Minnesota where he settled in Bemidji in 1985 as a BCA special agent.
During his campaign, he said his priorities are drug enforcement, especially in regard to methamphetamine production, and decreasing gang activity.
As sheriff, he said he would improve communication, professionalism and internal and public relations on the force.
Cross, 55, was born in Bemidji and raised in Hines Township. He began his career in law enforcement in 1971 as a water patrol officer for Beltrami County.
He then worked as a dispatcher before joining the force as a deputy.
He also cited drug enforcement as a priority.