NATCHEZ — After years of working with the sheriff’s office and youth of Adams County, Charles R. “Chuck” Mayfield is hoping to take the abilities he’s gained from his 26-year law enforcement career and apply them to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

“I can’t remember anything else I’ve ever wanted to do but be in law enforcement,” Mayfield said. “It’s in my blood and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, be sheriff of this county some day.”

In 1983, Mayfield went to work with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office after graduating from Copiah-Lincoln Community College with an associate’s degree in criminal justice.

This story is 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.

Mayfield moved up in the ranks from patrol officer to criminal deputy to criminal investigator.

After working with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics for seven years, he was promoted to major and commander of the metro narcotics unit and remained in that position until 2005.

In 2006, Mayfield went to work for the Adams County Youth Court as a law enforcement liaison officer and a court designee.

“In 2006, I started as a director of the Mentoring Children of Prisoners program,” Mayfield said.

“In dealing with youth court, I’ve had a chance to get to know a lot of the juvenile offenders and get to know and understand what they think and why they do the things they do,” he said.

Mayfield said his time spent inside the courtroom and on the streets investigating crime make him qualified to become the next sheriff of Adams County.

“I can’t think of any facet of law enforcement I haven’t done to be honest with you,” Mayfield said. “With my background in all facets of law enforcement, I’ll be involved in every aspect of the job.”

Mayfield said he hopes to get the chance to bring a more proactive style of policing and one-on-one relationship with citizens all over the county.

“The number one thing is I would like to implement innovative prevention programs to stop people from committing crimes before they happen — to stop crime instead of always having to clean it up,” Mayfield said.

“I want to have a professional, mature, intelligent, disciplined and dignified force.”

Mayfield is one of eight Adams County sheriff candidates.

The special election will be Nov. 3.