Our sliver of Arizona is home to more than 420,000 Americans spread out over 5,000+ square miles; the place we call home is a vast and arid sundrenched landscape that also happens to be on the frontlines of several conflicts. Not only are we fighting a war on illegal narcotics, but we’re also simultaneously fighting an immigration battle.
As the top law-enforcement officer in the area I’m responsible for the safety and wellbeing of every man, woman, and child who calls this place home. Unlike most of the career politicians in Washington, D.C., and in Phoenix, I know that in Pinal County, the buck stops with me – that’s why I take my job so seriously.
Like so many Americans, our family has experienced deep loss over the last couple of years. We lost our son and our one-year-old granddaughter eight days before Christmas. There is simply no pain that compares to losing a child, let alone a grandbaby. During my son’s life, he struggled with drug addiction; he even spent time in my jail for using fentanyl.
As a result of my personal loss and the tragedy I see play out every day as Sheriff, I am hyper-aware that families across Arizona and America have been adversely affected by rising crime and drug use in our communities.
I can talk about personal responsibility all day long, but what’s the point if I’m not willing to step up and speak out against the failure of career politicians in Washington who are too politically correct to protect us?
Not only did I have to witness my son’s incarceration in one of my jails, but I have personally carried dead bodies from our communities’ ditches, rescued children from sex trafficking rings, and arrested gang members and drug dealers.
Each day that I get up and put my Sheriff’s badge on, I remind myself that I’m no better than any man or woman who works for me; I have been – and continue to be – on the front lines of the opioid epidemic and the border fight.
In my capacity as the Sheriff of Arizona’s third most populous county, I demand excellence from myself and everyone under my command. It’s our DUTY to provide protection to the people we serve, along with an unwavering commitment to the communities under our jurisdiction.
I may currently have a big job title, but I have even more responsibility.
When cartel violence spills over the border into our communities, my team is responsible for holding the thugs perpetrating the crimes in our communities accountable.
And when domestic violence allegations are made, my team is responsible for bringing justice to the victims.
I was raised with a deep sense of personal responsibility that has remained with me throughout my life. Today in the United States of America, it seems to me that personal responsibility has come to be seen by many as a liability rather than an asset.
As sheriff, I understand that the freedoms granted to us by the Constitution to make choices also mean the freedom to make bad choices. That’s where personal responsibility is important. There are times when I will have to intervene and voice objections to others in law enforcement who, despite their good intentions to control a situation or public behavior, are attempting to violate the Constitution and an individual’s rights.
Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
The voters who gave me the use of the sheriff’s badge that I wear on my lapel know that the only interest I have in elected office is their safety. For me, my community and family are everything.
Sheriff Mark Lamb is a husband, father, grandfather, and God-fearing patriot. From Hawaii to Manila, Arizona, Mark Lamb’s rich experirences inspired his life of service. As the 24th Sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona, he drives a powerful agenda to ensure community safety and prosperity.
Sheriff Lamb trained with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Academy and was named Valedictorian of his class. He was hired by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, where he excelled as a police officer and was named Rookie of the Year. The following year, he received the Officer of the Year award. He was later promoted as a Detective to the Gang Enforcement Unit and in his first year was named Detective of the Year.
