The three candidates who were on the ballot included incumbent, Melvin. The other two on the ballot were Chad Burroughs and David Patrick II.
Melvin received 44.67% of the vote, Burroughs received 33.57%, and Patrick received 21.76%, according to unofficial results from the Champaign County Board of Elections.
All three were not available for comment after the election on Tuesday night.
ELECTION RESULTS: Updated here all night
Melvin is the current Champaign County sheriff, and has worked as a dispatcher, corrections officer, court services deputy, patrol deputy, sergeant and chief deputy. He also holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Clark State Community College.
Melvin said he was seeking another term because he is the most qualified and believes the citizens deserve for their sheriff to “possess the knowledge for how the sheriff’s office budget operates, current investigations, cold case investigations, not to mention the challenges that face the sheriff’s office on a daily basis.”
If re-elected, Melvin said he would continue to use his knowledge, leadership and experience.
“During my tenure, I have worked all divisions within this agency, which has given me the knowledge and experience to identify the specific needs of our county,” he said during his campaign. “Under my administration, we have worked with our board of county commissioners, enabling our office to obtain the tools and personnel necessary to provide the best possible service to the citizens of our community. Under my leadership, the sheriff’s office has persevered through many hardships that have faced our county.”
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Burroughs recently resigned from his position at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office to run for Champaign County Sheriff. He has previously worked as a sergeant, detective sergeant, major, colonel and law enforcement officer. Burroughs also attended the Law Enforcement Academy after graduation.
Burroughs said he decided to run because he and his family has not only been life-long residents, but he has also worked a lifetime to place himself in a position to represent the county.
Patrick is a Lieutenant for the Mechanicsburg Police Department. He has previously worked as a dispatcher for the Urbana Police Department and Champaign County Communication Center, in the private security and community patrol sector in Columbus, and as an officer for St. Paris and Mechanicsburg Police Departments.
Patrick also holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in criminal justice and is a founding member and current treasurer of the Mechanicsburg Police Officers Association.
Patrick said he was running for sheriff because he knows the value of hard work and is willing to have good, working relationships with citizens and departments.
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