Randy Hamilton has called Buena Vista home for the past 50 years and he and his wife of 44 years, Betty Jo Fitzgerald, have been “blessed” with two daughters – Crissy and Jessie – and a granddaughter, Josie, in that time. He has also spent 30 years serving the city as its sheriff, a tenure which he says has “allowed both me and the department to grow, improve and modernize … progressing successfully with the times while effectively and efficiently managing the duties of the office.
“I know the citizens of Buena Vista well because I have lived alongside them my entire life,” he said. “I have stood with generations of families through every stage, sharing in laughter and heartache, success and devastation, wins and losses, times of depletion and moments of growth. Together, we have been through a great deal, and I view this community as an extension of my own family, one I will always work to serve, protect, improve, and celebrate.”
Hamilton said he decided to run for another term because serving as Buena Vista’s sheriff is “both an honor and a calling.”
“Over the past three decades, I have dedicated my life to protecting and serving the people of Buena Vista, and I remain deeply committed to this community,” he said. “While I am proud of the progress we’ve made, I know there is still important work to do.
“I believe experience matters, and my years of service have provided me with the knowledge, relationships, and the perspective necessary to keep our community safe and engaged while also treating every individual with fairness and respect,” he added.
Hamilton cites a number of successes during his time as sheriff, including strong partnerships with citizens, local leaders, and other first responders, as well as ensuring a safe courthouse environment, mentoring youth in the community and advancing rehabilitation and crime prevention programs “to help individuals reenter society successfully.” Above all of those, he said that “maintaining the public’s trust by leading with fairness, compassion, and Christian values,” is what he believes is his greatest accomplishment.
“I am deeply proud of my deputies and our shared commitment that has shaped a sheriff’s office dedicated to serving every member of our community,” he said.
If reelected, Hamilton says he will prioritize ensuring that the deputies that serve under him are “well-trained and approachable, so they not only protect but also connect with the people we serve.”
He also said he will work to strengthen partnerships with the city schools, churches and community groups, as well as maintaining the safety of judges, providing professional courtroom services, and that he will “remain a familiar, approachable face, leading a department dedicated to community betterment, civil enforcement, and supporting the small-town charm that makes Buena Vista special.”
This job is not just about enforcing and supporting the law,” he said. “It’s about caring for the people, building trust, and leading with values that put others first. Being sheriff is more than my career – it’s my calling, and I will always strive to serve with honesty, respect, and heart. Finally, I would like for our tight knit, strongly supportive community to know that although I wear brown, I bleed blue.”
HAMILTON
