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{{Infobox person

{{Infobox officeholder

|name=Sheri Susan Lewellyn Pamerleau

|name=Sheri Susan Lewellyn Pamerleau

|birth_date=August 19, 1946

|birth_date=August 19, 1946

|spouse=Ben Pamerleau (married c. 1970-1978, his suicide)

|spouse=Ben Pamerleau (married c. 1970-1978, his suicide)

|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]

|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]

}}

}}

'''Sheri Susan Lewellyn Pamerleau''' (born August 19, 1946) is the [[Republican Party|Republican]] former [[sheriff]] of populous Bexar County, [[Texas]]. The winner of the [[general election]] held on November 6, 2012, she is the first woman elected to the position.  

'''Sheri Susan Lewellyn Pamerleau''' (born August 19, 1946) is the [[Republican Party|Republican]] former [[sheriff]] of populous Bexar County, [[Texas]]. The winner of the [[general election]] held on November 6, 2012, she is the first woman elected to the position.  

In 2010, Pamerleau became the Republican nominee by default for a seat on the county commission after the death of the party's initial candidate. She gave incumbent [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Tommy Adkisson a strong challenge.<ref name=ggarcia/> Two years later, she unseated Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz, an [[Hispanic]] Democrat who spent most of the general election campaign under attack for the deaths of two police dogs, a tragedy which critics claimed could have been avoided. Ortiz was charged with a staffing crisis at the jail, which he blamed on budget cuts imposed by the five-member Bexar County Commissioners Court headed by County Judge Nelson Wolff, also a Democrat. Ortiz was accused of using county resources in his campaign. The [[district attorney]] requested that the Texas Rangers investigate Ortiz. In defeat, Ortiz said that he respected the [[Democracy|democratic process]] but accused Pamerleau of waging a dishonest campaign against him.<ref name=saen/>

In 2010, Pamerleau became the Republican nominee by default for a seat on the county commission after the death of the party's initial candidate. She gave incumbent [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Tommy Adkisson a strong challenge.<ref name=ggarcia/> Two years later, she unseated Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz, an [[Hispanic]] Democrat who spent most of the general election campaign under attack for the deaths of two police dogs, a tragedy which critics claimed could have been avoided. Ortiz was charged with a staffing crisis at the jail, which he blamed on budget cuts imposed by the five-member Bexar County Commissioners Court headed by County Judge Nelson Wolff, also a Democrat. Ortiz was accused of using county resources in his campaign. The [[district attorney]] requested that the Texas Rangers investigate Ortiz. In defeat, Ortiz said that he respected the [[Democracy|democratic process]] but accused Pamerleau of waging a dishonest campaign against him.<ref name=saen/>

As sheriff, Pamerleau supervises about 1,700 deputies, civilian employees, and detention officers. Her $105 million department budget represents a third of the spending for Bexar County government. To become sheriff, she had to pass weapons qualifications examinations. Political consultant Jim Lunz, formerly affiliated with [[United States Senator]] [[John Cornyn]], first urged her to run for sheriff, but she expressed hesitation. Lunz's suggestion, however, caused her to rethink her position because she believed that she has the skills to operate a large jail and to fight crime in a large urban area.<ref name=samag/>

As sheriff, Pamerleau supervises about 1,700 deputies, civilian employees, and detention officers. Her $105 million department budget represents a third of the spending for Bexar County government. To become sheriff, she had to pass weapons qualifications examinations. Political consultant Jim Lunz, formerly affiliated with [[United States Senator]] [[John Cornyn]], a [[Moderate Republian]], who first urged her to run for sheriff, but she expressed hesitation. Lunz's suggestion, however, caused her to rethink her position because she believed that she has the skills to operate a large jail and to fight crime in a large urban area.<ref name=samag/>

In September 2015, Pamerleau faced a crisis when two deputies shot to death 41-year-old parolee Gilbert Flores when they answered a domestic violence call at Flores' residence. Video of the incident first appeared to show the shirtless Flores holding up both hands in the air in surrender, but the officers claim he was threatening them with a knife.<ref name=floresshooting>{{cite web|url=http://www.berkshireeagle.com/nation/ci_28747262/look-at-case-texas-man-killed-by-deputies|title= A look at the case of Texas man killed by deputies|publisher=''The Berkshire Eagle''|location=Pittsfield, [[Massachusetts]]|date=September 2, 2015|accessdate=October 6, 2015}}</ref> When the sheriff's department issued its report on the incident, there was no mention of Flores holding up his hands to surrender. The department claims that video of the incident made by bystander Michael Thomas is obscured by a pole which blocks depiction of the knife in Flores' hand. The Flores family has filed a lawsuit against the sheriff's department, the deputies, and Bexar County. The officers' attorney said that they would not have fired two shots at Flores unless they were in fear for their lives.<ref>John Tedesco, "Report omits that victim raised hands: County didn't list detail in shooting death by deputies", ''San Antonio Express-News'', October 10, 2015, pp. 1, A12</ref> Pamerleau turned over reports of the department investigation to the district attorney. The [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] also monitored the matter.<ref name=floresshooting/> In December, other video taken by a neighbor was released to the public. It shows a knife-wielding man who shouted that he wanted to die, rather than face a return to prison. He ignored orders to surrender. He was shot when he moved with knife in hand to a parked patrol car. The grand jury did not indict any of the deputies in the case. Sheriff Pamerleau said, "While we support the grand jury's decision to no-bill these deputies, it's important to recognize that there are no winners in this situation. A man lost his life, and for that, we are all saddened."<ref name=videoreveals>John Tedesco, "Video reveals man talked of suicide before shooting:  Run-in with deputies recorded in new images", ''San Antonio Express-News'', December 12, 2015, pp. 1, 10A</ref> The Flores family has filed a federal lawsuit in the matter.<ref name=videoreveals/>

In September 2015, Pamerleau faced a crisis when two deputies shot to death 41-year-old parolee Gilbert Flores when they answered a domestic violence call at Flores' residence. Video of the incident first appeared to show the shirtless Flores holding up both hands in the air in surrender, but the officers claim he was threatening them with a knife.<ref name=floresshooting>{{cite web|url=http://www.berkshireeagle.com/nation/ci_28747262/look-at-case-texas-man-killed-by-deputies|title= A look at the case of Texas man killed by deputies|publisher=''The Berkshire Eagle''|location=Pittsfield, [[Massachusetts]]|date=September 2, 2015|accessdate=October 6, 2015}}</ref> When the sheriff's department issued its report on the incident, there was no mention of Flores holding up his hands to surrender. The department claims that video of the incident made by bystander Michael Thomas is obscured by a pole which blocks depiction of the knife in Flores' hand. The Flores family has filed a lawsuit against the sheriff's department, the deputies, and Bexar County. The officers' attorney said that they would not have fired two shots at Flores unless they were in fear for their lives.<ref>John Tedesco, "Report omits that victim raised hands: County didn't list detail in shooting death by deputies", ''San Antonio Express-News'', October 10, 2015, pp. 1, A12</ref> Pamerleau turned over reports of the department investigation to the district attorney. The [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] also monitored the matter.<ref name=floresshooting/> In December, other video taken by a neighbor was released to the public. It shows a knife-wielding man who shouted that he wanted to die, rather than face a return to prison. He ignored orders to surrender. He was shot when he moved with knife in hand to a parked patrol car. The grand jury did not indict any of the deputies in the case. Sheriff Pamerleau said, "While we support the grand jury's decision to no-bill these deputies, it's important to recognize that there are no winners in this situation. A man lost his life, and for that, we are all saddened."<ref name=videoreveals>John Tedesco, "Video reveals man talked of suicide before shooting:  Run-in with deputies recorded in new images", ''San Antonio Express-News'', December 12, 2015, pp. 1, 10A</ref> The Flores family has filed a federal lawsuit in the matter.<ref name=videoreveals/>

After her military years, Pamerleau remained in San Antonio and was employed by the United States Automobile Association, a company which offers insurance, banking, financial planning, and investment management to military personnel. Until 2007, she was the USAA senior vice president. Her varied civic activities include Childsafe, the [[USO|United Service Organization]], the [[United Way]], and Goodwill Industries in San Antonio.<ref name=bio/>

After her military years, Pamerleau remained in San Antonio and was employed by the United States Automobile Association, a company which offers insurance, banking, financial planning, and investment management to military personnel. Until 2007, she was the USAA senior vice president. Her varied civic activities include Childsafe, the [[USO|United Service Organization]], the [[United Way]], and Goodwill Industries in San Antonio.<ref name=bio/>

Pamerleau ran unopposed for a second term as sheriff in the Republican primary held on March 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ktsa.com/pamerleau-to-file-for-re-election/|title=Pamerleau to File for Re-Election|publisher=KTSA.com|accessdate=December 15, 2015}}</ref> Four Democrats, Charles "Chazz" Cervantes, Javier Orlando Salazar, Matt Ninan, and Andy Lopez, competed in their party primary for the right to challenge Pamerleau in the November 8 [[general election]]. All four cited Pamerleau for allegedly low morale in the department and overworked deputies. Each has pledged if elected to revamp policies and to reorganize the sheriff's staff.<ref>John W. Gonzalez, "4 Dems challenge sheriff's first term in office: Pamerleau defends her work for change", ''San Antonio Express-News'', February 7, 2016, pp. A3, A7</ref> Javier Salazar (born December 7, 1970), a former bartender and a 23-year public information officer for the San Antonio Police Department,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kens5.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/10/26/sapd-spokesman-salazar-run-bexar-co-sheriff/74635806/|title=SAPD spokesman Salazar to run for Bexar County Sheriff|publisher=KENS5-TV|date=October 27, 2015|accessdate=December 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.javiersalazarforsheriff.com/about.html|title=About Javier Salazar|publisher=javiersalazarforsheriff.com|accessdate=December 15, 2015}}</ref> led in the primary and then defeated in a runoff held on May 24 with Andy Lopez. Salazar carried the endorsement of the Deputy Sheriff's Association of Bexar County and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas.<ref>John W. Gonzalez, "Deputies union snubs sheriff, backs Salazar: He also gets CLEAT endorsement", ''San Antonio Express-News'', March 12, 2016, p. A4</ref>

Pamerleau ran unopposed for a second term as sheriff in the Republican primary held on March 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ktsa.com/pamerleau-to-file-for-re-election/|title=Pamerleau to File for Re-Election|publisher=KTSA.com|accessdate=December 15, 2015}}</ref> Four Democrats, Charles "Chazz" Cervantes, Javier Orlando Salazar, Matt Ninan, and Andy Lopez, competed in their party primary for the right to challenge Pamerleau in the November 8 [[general election]]. All four cited Pamerleau for allegedly low morale in the department and overworked deputies. Each has pledged if elected to revamp policies and to reorganize the sheriff's staff.<ref>John W. Gonzalez, "4 Dems challenge sheriff's first term in office: Pamerleau defends her work for change", ''San Antonio Express-News'', February 7, 2016, pp. A3, A7.</ref> Javier Salazar (born December 7, 1970), a former bartender and a 23-year public information officer for the San Antonio Police Department,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kens5.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/10/26/sapd-spokesman-salazar-run-bexar-co-sheriff/74635806/|title=SAPD spokesman Salazar to run for Bexar County Sheriff|publisher=KENS5-TV|date=October 27, 2015|accessdate=December 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.javiersalazarforsheriff.com/about.html|title=About Javier Salazar|publisher=javiersalazarforsheriff.com|accessdate=December 15, 2015}}</ref> led in the primary and then defeated in a runoff held on May 24 with Andy Lopez. Salazar carried the endorsement of the Deputy Sheriff's Association of Bexar County and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas.<ref>John W. Gonzalez, "Deputies union snubs sheriff, backs Salazar: He also gets CLEAT endorsement", ''San Antonio Express-News'', March 12, 2016, p. A4.</ref>

In the general election in which Democrats under [[Hillary Clinton]] ran strongly in Bexar County, Salazar unseated Pamerleau 278,102 (50.4 percent) to 273,914 (49.6  percent). In defeat, Pamerleau polled more votes in 2016 than she had in victory in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksat.com/news/politics/sheriff-pamerleau-concedes-race-to-javier-salazar|title=Sheriff Pamerleau concedes race to Javier Salazar: Javier Salazar wins race to become sheriff-elect|publisher=KSAT-TV|author=Chris Shadrock|accessdate=November 9, 2016}}</ref>

In the general election in which Democrats under [[Hillary Clinton]] ran strongly in Bexar County, Salazar unseated Pamerleau 278,102 (50.4 percent) to 273,914 (49.6  percent). In defeat, Pamerleau still polled more votes in 2016 than she had in victory in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ksat.com/news/politics/sheriff-pamerleau-concedes-race-to-javier-salazar|title=Sheriff Pamerleau concedes race to Javier Salazar: Javier Salazar wins race to become sheriff-elect|publisher=KSAT-TV|author=Chris Shadrock|accessdate=November 9, 2016}}</ref>

==References==

==References==