PARIS – In what’s looking like one of the hardest-fought races for Oxford County’s top law enforcement job in recent decades, two lawmen – with vastly different backgrounds – are vying to become the next sheriff.

Hoping to take over from four-time incumbent Lloyd “Skip” Herrick are Oxford County Chief Deputy Christopher Wainwright and Wilton Police Chief Wayne Gallant.

Herrick, last elected in 2002, announced his retirement early this year, setting up the competition between Republican Wainwright, 35, and Democrat Gallant, 57. Herrick, also a Republican, has endorsed Wainwright.

Both candidates have similar ambitions for the department, and the candidates acknowledge it’s their individual experience that sets them apart.

With 16 years of administrative experience, Gallant has been managing people nearly as long as Wainwright has been in law enforcement. He has held top positions in the Rumford and Wilton police departments. He is proud of his experience in dealing with budget processes, grant writing, criminal investigations, negotiating contracts and writing policies.

“Up until a year-and-a-half ago, my opponent was a road-patrol supervisor,” Gallant said. “I’ve supervised a number of people and written policies.”

But Wainwright maintains his experiences on the front lines of law enforcement, coupled with FBI training and his role as a volunteer police trainer in war-torn Kosovo, have more than equipped him for the position.

“I’m the only one running with county law enforcement experience, with an emphasis on the patrol division,” Wainwright said. “I have experience in the corrections end; it’s the most challenging and needs the most attention.”

But even staunch supporters of one candidate or the other acknowledge the choice won’t be easy for undecided voters.

“Both Chris and Wayne are excellent candidates, and I think both are qualified,” said Jim Theriault, Mexico’s police chief and a Wainwright supporter.

Theriault ran an unsuccessful campaign against Herrick in 2002. He’s now urging his supporters to back Herrick’s pick for a replacement: Wainwright.

But Gallant is also a longtime colleague and well-liked by many in the law enforcement community, Theriault said.

“He has the qualifications and credentials,” Theriault said. “But Chris is like my son. He’s been there for 16-plus years. He knows how it should be run.”

Gallant’s supporters say they think of him as family, too.

“I’ve known Wayne since I was 9 or 10 years old. We grew up together,” said Mexico Fire Chief Gary Wentzell. “We used to play cops and robbers together, but I’m not going to say who was who. I’ve known him for 47 years. I think of Wayne as a father figure, but he’s more like a brother.”

Gallant’s ability to remain calm under pressure and lead with grace instills confidence, Wentzell said.

“I think Wayne might keep his cool a little bit more,” Wentzell said. “We work all right with the county, but I think from what I’m seeing, Wainwright is another Herrick. I think it’s time for a change, time for a shake-up.”

Shooting cases

Voters will have to weigh whether Wainwright’s involvement in two fatal shootings will be a factor in who they select.

A civil lawsuit against Wainwright, and five other law officers – Herrick, Maine State Trooper Timothy Turner, Deputy Sgt. Matthew Baker, former Chief Deputy James Davis and former Oxford County Lt. James Miclon – over the death of Daniel W. Bennett II in January 2000 is set for a jury trial in December.

Bennett, 32, was shot by police outside his family’s Sumner home. The Maine Attorney General’s Office cleared the officers of criminal wrongdoing and ruled lethal force was justified as Bennett, who was believed to have had mental health problems, fired first on the officers. His family is suing the officers for wrongful death, claiming they knew Bennett had mental health problems and used excessive force to subdue him.

Another shooting incident involving Wainwright and former Rumford Police Sgt. Hart Daley in January 1996 left 20-year-old Albert Stephen Gonzales dead. The Maine Attorney General’s Office ruled the shooting was justified. Gonzales’ family also filed a civil suit, but settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

If elected, Wainwright has said he will name Daley, who now works as a county lieutenant, his chief deputy.

Gallant said he will decide on a chief deputy after he’s elected.

Wainwright does not expect the shooting incidents to impact the election, he said.

Gallant has not been involved in any lethal-force incidents.

The jail

Herrick said the biggest challenge facing the new sheriff is the jail, which is overcrowded. Both candidates agree not only that the county needs a new facility, but also needs to push legislation to change sentencing laws.

Herrick said that the next sheriff should look at sentencing laws and work with the courts and district attorney. The county jail has a high population of probation violators who served time at the state prison, but then were sent back to the county jail.

While both candidates have ideas on what they’d like to bring to the department, they recognize they will be working under budget restraints.

Running a department

Gallant said that if he is elected, he wants to encourage better attitudes and appearances within the department, and instill self-esteem in employees.

“People judge us by our behavior and our intents,” Gallant said. “We all can improve on what we have and strive to better ourselves.”

If elected, Wainwright said he will move people around within the department and do some hiring.

Both Gallant and Wainwright would realize a pay increase if elected sheriff.

Wainwright earns a little more than $39,000 a year, while Gallant earns just under $45,000. The county’s proposed salary for sheriff in 2007 is $48,828.

Staff Writer Terry Karkos and Regional Editor Scott Thistle contributed to this report.