Phil Hodapp, a law enforcement officer with more than 30 years experience, 20 of which he has served in Beltrami County, announced on Friday his candidacy for Beltrami County sheriff.
Sheriff Keith Winger on Thursday announced his plan to retire at the end of his current term. The next sheriff will be sworn in Jan. 4.
Hodapp began his career in 1967 in the Amarillo, Texas, Police Department, then became a state trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety. He moved in 1985 to Bemidji as a special agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and is credentialed through the BCA Management Series, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Training and BCA Police Forensic Specialist Program.
In his press release he states that he is running for sheriff "to address the concerns of the citizens of Beltrami County and lead the Sheriff's Department in the fight against violent crime, gang and drug activity."
