Canadian County Sheriff Chris West has been elected third vice president of the National Sheriffs Association.
Outgoing NSA President Sheriff Vernon Stanforth of Fayette County, Ohio swore West into the office of third vice president on June 29 during the NSA summer conference in Kansas City, Mo.
“It’s been an extremely incredible experience to serve on the board of directors of the National Sheriffs Association,” Sheriff West said. “As third vice president, my role will be somewhat increased from what it was this past year when I served as the NSA secretary.”
West ran unopposed for the seat.
“I look forward to working with Sheriff Bill Bohnyak, the new NSA president, and all the other members of the NSA executive committee and board of directors, as well as other law enforcement professionals, agencies and associations across this great nation to be a voice for our communities on public safety and law enforcement issues impacting every citizen of the country,” West said.
The NSA is one of the largest nonprofit associations of law enforcement professionals in the United States, representing more than 3,000 elected sheriffs across the nation. Membership totals about 14,000 individuals.
‘EXTREMELY VALUED MEMBER’
The NSA is dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among sheriffs, their deputies and others in the fields of law enforcement, public safety and criminal justice.
“Sheriff West has been an extremely valued member on the Board of Directors of the National Sheriffs Association since 2019, and I’m certain as third vice president his experience, knowledge and leadership will continue to help move the organization forward,” said NSA President William “Bill” Bohnyak, sheriff of Orange County, Vt.
“The citizens of Canadian County and the state of Oklahoma are fortunate to have someone of his caliber serving as sheriff of Canadian County.”
Oklahoma City will host the NSA’s national conference in June 2024, when Sheriff West will be the organization’s incoming first vice-president.
West began a second term in office as Canadian County sheriff in January 2021, after not being challenged in his re-election bid.
A lifelong Canadian County resident, Sheriff West is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a 1980 Yukon High School graduate.
In August 2019, West was named the OSA’s 2019 “Sheriff of the Year,” and he now serves as president of the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association.
