Sheriff candidate Hitt kicks off campaign

Cathy Scott

Monday, May 18, 1998 | 9:52 a.m.

Sheriff's candidate Bobby Hitt kicked off his campaign Saturday night before a crowd of nearly 300 people.

Hitt, 49, retired as a lieutenant from Metro last year after 24 years.

Helen Foley, spokeswoman for Hitt's campaign, said 253 people signed in at the Plaza hotel-casino for Hitt's announcement, which was also a fund-raiser featuring a buffet. Many of the attendees were Metro Police officers and several walked in without signing the register.

Capt. Randy Oaks, who ran against Keller in 1994 and finished third in a large field, introduced Hitt.

"Bobby Hitt is a man of character and personal integrity," Oaks said. "I personally can't think of a man I would trust more as sheriff."

Also in the audience were candidates for other offices, including Dennis Silvers for Assembly, Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Harney for the County Commission and Lona Groover for District Court judge. Also, officers from the Henderson Police Department, NHP and State Division of Parole and Probation attended, as well as Tom Healey, president of the state Peace Officers Association.

Hitt said that while he has been collecting money and pledges from casinos, he has also been running a grass-roots campaign with most of his contributions coming from average citizens who are supporting him.

"We have hundreds of $25, $50, $100 and even $200 contributions coming in every day," he said. "Add it up. It's the amount it is going to take to win."

Afterward, Hitt told reporters that, as sheriff, he would gain the trust of his fellow officers. He said he would boost morale among rank-and-file officers by "being truthful, by being accountable, and by meting out punishment equally."

Hitt said he was overwhelmed as he stood at the door and shook hands with supporters as they walked in.

"I can't tell you how happy I am at the turnout from Metro," he said. "Virtually every section is represented here tonight. We have new officers and we have old officers here."

Hitt, a 1990 graduate of the National FBI Academy and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, said he has held leadership positions in Metro's repeat offenders unit and criminalistics, internal affairs and detective bureaus. He has also worked in patrol, intelligence, robbery and communications.

Hitt's announcement brings the sheriff's candidate field to five. Sheriff Jerry Keller is running for re-election. Also running are former Metro detective Chuck Lee, detective Dirk Thomas and former San Jose, Calif., officer John Powell. The filing period for public office ends today.