- Mike Allred is running for Box Elder County Sheriff, citing needed changes after a tragedy Tremonton.
- Allred, injured in an August shooting, emphasizes communication improvements within the sheriff's office.
- Allred seeks dialogue with current Sheriff Potter despite election tensions and communication issues.
BRIGHAM CITY — Watching early election results come in with family Tuesday night, Mike Allred said he's hopeful for positive changes within the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office.
While he admits he wanted to run for office at some point in his career, he said a recent tragedy pushed him to do it now.
"Some things happened after the event in Tremonton with the office, and I knew that I needed to do it right now," Allred explained. "I couldn't wait for the sake of the county and our guys that go out there and put their lives on the line every single day."
Allred, who is currently a deputy in the Box Elder County Sheriff's office, was injured along with his K9 Azula last August, when a Tremonton man opened fire on officers who were responding to a domestic disturbance. Both Sgt. Lee Sorenson and officer Eric Estrada with the Tremonton Police Department were shot and killed in the incident.
Allred said the incident brought to light some changes he feels need to be made, though he felt he could not articulate his plans just yet, as he is still running against his current boss, Sheriff Kevin Potter.
"There's still a lot of communication that needs to happen within the talks with dispatch, and getting things all on the same page and moving forward in a positive manner," Allred said.
In January, police chiefs from Brigham City, Tremonton and Perry defended their plans to part ways with Box Elder County dispatch, amid criticisms from Potter. The agencies, along with fire departments in the same cities, moved to Weber County dispatch instead for those services. Brigham City Police Chief Chad Reyes had also previously endorsed Allred in his run for sheriff.
Regardless of the outcome of the primary and November election, Allred said he'd still like a chance to sit down with Potter to discuss his concerns and the reasons he decided to run for office.
"He hasn't talked to me since I announced my campaign," Allred said. "And that's hard to have a working relationship when that happens."
Potter told KSL he would not comment on the primary election results regardless of the outcome on Tuesday. Preliminary results from the election's office showed Allred in the lead, with 63% of the votes, and Potter with 36%.
