CORRECTION: The following story has been corrected concerning Brown’s work as a subtitute for the Natchez-Adams School System. Brown worked for two years as a substitute.

NATCHEZ — Every day, Ray Brown goes to work to serve and protect the students and faculty members at schools across the county.

And now, Brown, who serves as the Natchez-Adams School District’s supervisor of safety and security, has set his sights on offering the same service to Adams County as sheriff.

In the past, Ray Brown has worked in Adams County as a substitute within the school system for two years and as a constable for 14 years.

With 16 years experience working with the sheriff’s office, Brown said he has dedicated much of his career to the protection of the citizens of Adams County.

This story part of a series of stories featuring the eight candidates for Adams County Sheriff. The candidates will be featured in alphabetical order between Oct. 5-8.

“I feel like with the jobs in my past, I’ve been serving and protecting the community in all aspects,” Brown said.

Brown said even with his law enforcement experience, the keys to being an effective sheriff are communication, availability and wanting to make a difference.

“I’m in the community — I was born and raised here. I think I know people from one end of the county to the other,” Brown said.

“What can help the community get better? Cooperation. It can be as simple as cooperation between companies, departments and businesses. If we come to a common ground in the community and see what’s best for the community, then once that’s established the community can move forward.”

Brown said as sheriff, he would want to see more unity as a community and the continuation of the Neighborhood Watch and DARE programs but also, he said he’d like to focus on programs that would aid the elderly and youth of Adams County.

“The elderly are the backbone of our community, and we have to help them,” Brown said.

At the end of the day, Brown said he wants the people of Adams County to pick the best candidate for the job.

“I would like the community to elect a sheriff that everybody can support.

“We talk about an open door policy. The comment ‘open door’ shouldn’t even be there. There shouldn’t be a door there. I prefer not to have a door.”

Brown is one of eight Adams County sheriff candidates.The special election will be Nov. 3.