Captain puts in bid for sheriff

A 25-year Hancock County Sheriff's Office veteran hopes to step up the chain of command by putting a bid in for sheriff in the March 2024 primary election. Captain Mark Price announced his run Wednesday, just over a week after Sheriff Michael Heldman announced he would not run for reelection next year. Price said he wants to continue building on the solid foundation of safety and security provided by previous sheriffs. "Hancock County is a great place to live, work and raise a family," he said. "It's a safe community that faces the same challenges that most micropolitan areas are experiencing." Throughout his career, Price rose through the office's ranks by promotions since joining in 1999. He was promoted to captain in January. "During my career, I've worked as a deputy and in administration. I have diverse experience that makes me uniquely qualified to become the next sheriff," Price said. Besides working in the sheriff's office, Price is active on several community boards, such as the Local Emergency Planning Committee, the EMA advisory board and Multi Casualty Committee. He's also an active volunteer in the fire service since 1994 and serves as chief of the Vanlue Fire Department, where he's been volunteering since 1998. Price is a 1993 graduate of Riverdale High School. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice at the University of Findlay in 1997. He also graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer's Academy at Owens Community College in 1998, and then began his career as a corrections officer at the sheriff's office.