Incumbent Sheriff Herman Young is seeking re-election and will face challenger Will Montgomery in the June 10 Democratic Primary.

Young became Fairfield County’s Sheriff in 1992.

“I enjoy helping people,” he said. “I feel that if you can help whether they are the wealthiest person in the County or outside of the County or the poorest person you treat them the same.”

The Sheriff was born and raised in Blair, where he resides today, and is a graduate of?McCrorey - Liston High School. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and also a Bachelor of Arts in Electronics.

Young’s law enforcement career began in 1962, when he joined the New York City Police Force. He became an officer with the Winnsboro Police Department in 1965.

In 1973 he was hired as the administrator of the Fairfield County Detention Center, where he remained for 19 years.

In 1992, Young was elected and sworn in as Fairfield County Sheriff. He is serving his fourth four - year term.

One of the highlights of his tenure as sheriff, Young said is Operation Youngblood, a drug bust that occurred in the Longtown area of the County.

He tries, the Sheriff stressed, to convince young people of the futility of the drug life.

“What is life like looking over your shoulder all of the time, wondering when they are going to get you?’ Young said. “I will tell them that nothing is wrong with going to Hardees or McDonalds getting a job that is an honest paying job, but set goals that one day I am going to own one of these businesses. Everything is a stepping stone and there is no such thing as a free lunch.”

In addition to drugs, another area of crime that is a major concern for Young is scams.

“A lot of people do not report them, thinking, ‘Why did I?fall for this?’ the Sheriff said. “I?just wish they would tell us about it.”

Young has been the recipient of many awards including the 1996 Sheriff of the Year Award, the Distinguished Service Award from the South Carolina Correctional Association and the Hugo Service Award and has many times been voted as “Fairfield County’s Elected Official, Best of the Best Award.

The Sheriff is married to Peggy Maloney Young. The couple have two grown children and three grandchildren.