Kevin Crook defeats incumbent in Monroe County sheriff’s primary election

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – There will be a new sheriff in Monroe County next year.

Incumbent Cecil Cantrell was defeated in the Democrat primary by a pastor, who is also a former justice court judge.

Kevin Crook serves in a leadership position at Crossbound Church and for the past five months, he has been campaigning full time for Monroe County Sheriff.

“I was reminded how big the county was when I began to try and get around to every house, it was impossible, so we had a really good team of people, lot of enthusiasm, willing to come out and do whatever we needed them to do, it made all the difference in the world,” said Crook.

Crook served as a justice court judge, before focusing on his campaign, and was a deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department for nine years. He has experience in patrol, narcotics and as an investigator.

The Monroe County native believes his experience as a judge, sheriff’s deputy and pastor qualifies him for the job.

“A lot of people thought, this pastor running, he wants to see drug addicts turn lives around, he will end up being soft on crime, what I’ve had to explain over and over, God is a just God and He stands for what’s right and He doesn’t stand by, He put us here to make sure justice is done,” said Crook.

The slogan at Crossbound Church is “Different on Purpose.”

Kevin Crook said the church is not losing a pastor because of the unique way it is governed.

“What I feel is this will be my sending church, locally, as I get to be in a missionary position throughout the county, but I still have my home base, church family to support me and I will still teach here when I can, preach when I can,” Crook said.

Crook said as sheriff he would put more emphasis on community policing and get Monroe County back into the North Mississippi Narcotics Unit.

Crook faces republican Andy Hood in the November election.

Monroe County will certify its election results next Tuesday.