Hopatcong Man Runs for County Sheriff

There might be a new sheriff in town.

Seriously.

Sussex County Sherrif's Department Lt. Mitch Ellicott, a 20-year Hopatcong resident, is running as an independent under the slogan "Leadership through Experience" in November's Sussex County Sheriff's race against republican standard-bearer Mike Strada.

Ellicott, 46, hopes to succeed veteran Sheriff Robert Untig, who will retire after 20 years at the post.

"It's our job to make sure that they're protected and their rights are protected," Ellicott said, referring to Sussex County residents. "And one of their rights is to live in a nice county and not worry about all this crime going on."

Ellicott had considered running for the republican nomination, but dropped out in December due to his armed forces deployment to the Middle East. But when Strada beat the other three nominees—including Ellicott's friend and Sussex County Sheriff's Department Cpl. Dan Storey—in early June, Ellicott felt obligated to challenge Strada.

"It's going to take somebody who has experience" in the sheriff's department said Ellicott, noting Strada, who lost the 2007 republican bid, is a Mount Olive detective and a Hampton resident.

Ellicott has Untig's endorsement. The pair has worked together for 20 years.

"As a sheriff, if I was not available [to make a decision], I would trust his decision," Untig said. "I have full faith in his decisions. I've never had to second-guess him.

"He knows what it is to work in the Sussex County Sherrif's [Department]. Everything we do doesn't come with a big budget. He knows the most cost-effective ways of accomplishing a project."

Hopatcong Police Chief John Swanson also supports Ellicott, a former Stanhope detective. Ellicott was also an officer and sergeant within the sheriff's office.

Swanson emphasized Ellicott's experience in the county.

"He's somebody who can look at things from multiple perspectives and take those experiences and try to focus things in the right way," Swanson said.

He called Ellicott a "people person."

"He doesn't shy away from wanting to explain himself," Swanson said. "He wants to get down and dirty and into the mix and he understands the job's basics."

Ellicott, who's been in law enforcement since the mid-1980s, joined the Naval Reserves after 9-11 and was sent to Afghanistan with the Army in 2009. He returned earlier this year.

Swanson saw Ellicott's military experience as a big plus.

"It's allowed him to see the operation of large entities and shrink that down into individual groups," Swanson said. "So I think he brings a pretty large [array of abilities] to the table when he sits down. He's got a lot of resources to pull from."

Ellicott said resources—mostly monetary resources—would be among the chief concerns of the next Sussex County sheriff. Stillwater's police department will close on Sept. 1 due to a lack of funding. Sparta had to lay off an officer this year.

He also said he'd aggressively pursue state and federal grants and review the department's budget.

Untig said Ellicott's independent status could hurt him, despite his conservative background. Sussex County has historically voted republican.

"The county has been republican," Untig said. "But, no matter what, the voters should look at the individual."

Untig also said Strada may have had "the most money and the best connections."

"To be, that doesn't always mean the best candidate," Untig said.

Ellicott had a message for voters.

"When it comes down to the day, it's down to you and the [voting] machine or that little red button to make the right choice [as to] who is the most qualified person for the job," he said.