A dispute between two candidates in the race for Buchanan County Sheriff is going to court. Current Undersheriff Bill Puett, a candidate for the office, has filed a civil complaint against Pat Grove, one of his opponents in the Republican Party primary.

“There is an issue of licensing,” Puett said in an interview,”you have to have a license when you file as a peace officer. Only a person with standing, meaning another candidate can bring that forward.”

“Obviously my job as a law enforcement officer is to bring alleged violations of the law to the court, and have the court look at it. That’s all we’re asking. This is a legal issue. We’re asking the court to look at it and determine whether everybody is eligible to run for sheriff.”

Mr. Grove says he was unaware of a law requiring candidates to have a valid peace officer license at the time they file for office. He says the list of requirements posted on the Buchanan County Clerk’s Office Web site has changed since the filing period ended. That Web site now lists the certification requirement, as well as a notice that reads, in part: “Candidates are responsible for researching the full requirements and
responsibilities of the particular office they seek.”

Grove says the list has changed and he was certified at the time he filed.

“I don’t believe I made a mistake,” Grove said in an interview. “I followed the rules, and listed everything that I was supposed to when filing, and was certified by the clerk, at that time, eligible to file.”

A Buchanan County judge has scheduled the matter of Puett versus Grove for a trial setting on July 27.