“I’m not getting any younger” — Wayne Risner
ASHLAND — Ashland County Sheriff E. Wayne Risner, 72, reflected on his career moments after announcing he’d not run for a seventh term as the county’s top law enforcement officer.
Risner’s term ends Jan. 1, 2025. By the time that date comes around, he’ll have served 24 years — the longest term of any sheriff in Ashland County’s history.
“It’s time to look for time with my wife — you know, travel, relax and do some stuff,” he said, adding he recently bought a fifth-wheel camper and a houseboat. “It’s time to travel around.”
Risner first landed a job with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office in January 1990 as a corrections officer and shift supervisor. He climbed the ranks until, in 2001, he ran a successful campaign to replace Larry Overholt, who served as sheriff from 1992-2000.
‘Good reflection of a small-town sheriff’
Risner, a Vietnam War veteran, served 22 years in the U.S. Army before working at the sheriff’s office. His supporters say his military background is one of his many great attributes.
“As a military veteran, he knows how to get things done and get organized,” said Barb Queer, an Ashland County commissioner from 2008 to 2017. She said the county, during her tenure as commissioner, was not flush with funds.
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“We knew that when he came to us, he was asking for money,” she said, chuckling. “And criminal justice, that’s an important part of the county — it’s the most expensive. But he understood and he always worked with us. He stayed respectful.”
That’s because he’s just a kind person, said Bob DeSanto, a former Ashland County Prosecutor.
“Some sheriffs are known as tough guys. Well, he’s tough, but he’s kind to people. I’ve never really heard anyone speak unkindly of him … He’s a good reflection of a small-town sheriff,” DeSanto said.
Ashland County Prosecutor Chris Tunnell said he will remember Risner for “his personal integrity and his support for his people.”
“When I say his people, that’s not limited to the sheriff’s office, his deputies and staff. It radiates out to veterans here in Ashland and he’s a supporter of law enforcement generally. Once Wayne Risner is part of a tribe, if you will, he’s right there in front. Whatever it is,” Tunnell said.
Risner’s legacy: clean jail vs. longest-serving?
Sheriff Risner served more years as sheriff than any other sheriff in Ashland County’s 176-year history.
But colleagues all point to his leadership in keeping the jail spick and spam.
“He always had pride in the jail. It’s clean; it’s well-kept,” said Mike Welch, who’s currently serving in his 21st year as an Ashland County commissioner. He said he’s known Risner for 23 years.
Capt. Joe Perry, the jail’s administrator, said it’s a point of pride.
“We treat the facilities as if they were our own home. It just comes back to letting your staff know what’s important. But it starts at the top; it starts with Sheriff Risner,” Perry said.
Grand juries inspect the jail four times a year, said Tina Carpenter, court administrator at Ashland Common Pleas Court. Carpenter has also served as overall Republican Jury Commissioner since 2010.
“It’s remarkable. Those inspections have always been favorable,” she said.
“He has made that position as sheriff as the leader in the law enforcement community.”
Ashland County Prosecutor chris tunnell
People still refer to the 22 year-old jail as “the new jail,” Tunnell said.
“It still looks great. And that’s — I mean, Wayne isn’t trying to have taxpayers paying for unnecessary stuff. Part of that is the upkeep of the facility,” Tunnell said.
Indeed, inspection reports dating back to 2018 point to the jail’s cleanliness and overall smooth operation.
“Well-maintained and a good staff,” one grand jury foreman wrote in a report dated Sept. 10, 2020. Another wrote “I think I can speak for the entire Grand Jury; we are very impressed with the cleanliness and condition of this facility” in March 2021.
Risner’s legacy goes beyond being the longest-serving sheriff or even the jail, Tunnell said.
“He has made that position as sheriff as the leader in the law enforcement community,” the prosecutor said. “It’s to set an example.
“(His legacy) won’t necessarily be one big thing, it’s all the little things. He’ll go around when he gets to work, like go around and see how everybody’s doing, make sure they have what they need — and then that service mentality radiates out.”
Who’s next?
Risner said he knows of one or two people who plan to run for his position. He declined to identify possible candidates.
Chad Enderby, human resources director for the City of Ashland, has pulled petition papers, according to documents at the Ashland County Board of Elections.
“Sheriff Risner provided strong leadership for our county over the past 20-plus years, and I want to continue this tradition,” Enderby said in an announcement released over the weekend.
Read Enderby’s full announcement is below.
No other candidates have emerged as of July 31, according to Ashland County Board of Elections records.
Risner said he chose to announce his retirement now because of the extensive criminal background research required by state law and the quickly-approaching election deadlines.
Republican and Democratic candidates for Risner’s replacement have until Dec. 20 to file for the position. Each candidate must gather 50 signatures on a petition. Independents have until March 18, 2024 and must gather 188 signatures, according to Ashland County Board of Elections Director Amanda Jones.
The 2024 May primary will determine a candidate for each party. After the general election, the new sheriff will start his or her job on Jan. 1, 2025.