Michael Graves Photo by Park County Bulletin

Denver Officer and Bailey resident Michael Graves recently filed an affidavit with Park County announcing his intent to run for Park County Sheriff in 2010. He is a Republican and will seek placement on the ballot through the assembly process in the early spring. Graves has been involved in politics and the legislative process before, but this will be his first attempt at a run for public office. He would like to be Park County's next Sheriff to bring his extensive background and experience in for the benefit of the County.

An internet search brings up record of a Medal of Valor awarded to Graves by the Denver Police Department. The guidelines read, in part, ”...to members who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism, the act or the execution of duty must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk...” Graves relates the circumstances of the award resulting from a dangerous helicopter rescue of hikers on a mountain in Fremont County. Graves and another pilot delivered Search and Rescue personnel to a steep mountainside at night in gusty weather. The SAR personnel brought lifesaving supplies and care to hikers who had been stranded for 3 days. His file contains many other commendations and letters documenting his service through almost two decades of work for the Denver Police Department. There are too many to mention here, but more documents will be provided on a website that the candidate is planning.

At the age of 47, Michael Graves brings a hefty history book to the contest. The son of a soldier and oldest of six children, he grew up in small towns on the western slope of Colorado and graduated from Palisade High. He served in the Army Reserves and then the Coast Guard in the Great Lakes region. Graves came back West to start his law enforcement career in the Wyoming State Penitentiary system and spent 3 years working in corrections there. He then applied to the Denver Police Department and was hired in 1991.

In 1994, Graves was disciplined as a result of an accident. He was found partly responsible for a serious crash while in a police vehicle. Punishment was a 30 day suspension. He places that document on the top of his file and says that he believes all such records should be out in the open. He also says that this was his only incident of discipline in all of his years with Denver.

Graves was a member of the Helicopter Unit and is a pilot and pilot instructor. He has a variety of experience with the City and County of Denver law enforcement including detective, undercover, Helicopter Unit, Property Crimes, Crimes Against Persons, Impact Team, Homicide Task Force and S.W.A.T. assignments. He was often involved in assistance to surrounding jurisdictions. Many of the letters in Graves' file are from other departments praising his work and support.

Michael Graves and his wife, Sue, have been married for 23 years. They both prefer the small town environment and enjoy their mountain community. Their son is a graduate of Platte Canyon High School and is now in college. Graves enjoys snowboarding and participated on the ski team at his high school and college. He also enjoys sport shooting, hunting and hiking and spent some time as a rodeo cowboy in bull riding.

Candidate Graves has indicated that he will provide more information on the internet as his campaign progresses. Check back for links.