Bexar County Sheriff's race heating up

Current Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz challenged by retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Susan Pamerleau

SAN ANTONIO – The race for Bexar County sheriff -- between current Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz and challenger retired Air Force Major Gen. Susan Pamerleau -- is starting to heat up.

On Thursday, in front of the Bexar County Jail, Pamerleau took Ortiz to task.

"The public safety of every man, woman and child living in Bexar County is at risk because of inadequate leadership and failed management of the current staff," said Pamerleau.

Ortiz responded to the charge.

"We are doing the best we can with the limited resources to address the fast-growing portions of Bexar County," he said.

Pamerleau touting her record as a retired major general and her work at USAA as giving her the leadership skills needed to run the sheriff's department and unveiled a three-point plan, covering people, operations and resources.

"Leading large organizations, managing big budgets, putting the right people in the right jobs and getting things done, and that is the kind of experience I bring with the public and private sector experience, " Pamerleau said.

Ortiz, who has been the sheriff for the past four years, says his experience at leading the department should be what voters look to.

"I rely on my experience and my track record, which have been open," Ortiz said.

Pamerleau questions that record when it comes to allowing drugs into the jail, erroneous releases, the new sub stations and the death of police dogs.

"Sure there have been some mistakes (that) I will readily admit, but I have taken action to try and prevent it from happening again," Ortiz said.

One of his accomplishments, he points out, is an 82 percent homicide closure rate.

Pamerleau says that is not enough.

"The citizens of Bexar county deserve better," Pamerleau said.


About the Author:

David Sears, a native San Antonian, has been at KSAT for more than 20 years.