EAGLE RIVER – Dale Yeo has been in law enforcement for his entire adult life, and although he retired from the Michigan State Police, he running for Keweenaw County Sheriff.

Yeo, who is running as a Democrat, said after taking law enforcement training classes at Northern Michigan University, he got his first job as a patrol officer for the Hancock Police Department from 1975 to 1978. In 1978, he was hired onto the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office, which he did until 1982 when he was hired onto the Michigan State Police. He worked in downstate Grand Haven MSP post from 1982 until 1984 when he transferred to a Detroit post. From 1986 to 1989, he worked on the Wakefield post. From 1989 until his retirement in 2007, he worked at the L’Anse and Calumet posts.

Yeo said he’s a lifelong Copper Country resident, except for the years he worked downstate. He was born in and grew up in Laurium. He attended Calumet High School. He’s lived at Lake Medora since 1999.

During his time with the MSP, Yeo said he often had contact with the Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office. He knows Sheriff Ron Lahti, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Yeo said he has a reputation of fair law enforcement, and as sheriff, he would continue that.

He understands Keweenaw County has financial issues, which can affect the sheriff’s office, Yeo said.

“I do think there are some funding problems they’re going to have to address,” he said.

Yeo said although he’s retired, he thinks he still can contribute to the community.

“I’m only 59,” he said. “Retirement isn’t fitting me. I felt I had something to give back.”

Yeo said he thinks his experience in law enforcement will benefit him as sheriff, and he hopes voters will seriously consider him.

“I just wanted to give the voters a choice,” he said.