12/15/2008 - James Kimble to be Chief Deputy of PCSO ADC - Danny's former boss at DOC

Incoming Pinal County Sheriff names two top posts

December 15th, 2008, 2:15 pm · 12 Comments · posted by Jason Massad

James Kimble was picked to be the chief deputy of the jail. The jail is currently run by Terry Altman.

Kimble currently serves as the deputy warden of the central unit of the state prison in Florence. The facility houses medium and maximum security prisoners.



Babeu made the top officials in the department reapply for the jobs and said he wants his own command staff. The two selections are the first ones announced.

Sheriff-elect Paul Babeu has named the two top commanders for the 800-person Pinal County Sheriff’s department.

Babeu appointed Chandler traffic commander Steve Henry to be the chief deputy. That post is currently held by Jeff Kirkham, a former Mesa cop.

Kirkham released a memo Monday that says he was caught unaware of the change.

“The Sheriff elect has announced my replacement via his website,” Kirkham wrote. ” … I was never given the opportunity to personally meet with the new sheriff …”

Henry is a Pinal County resident who holds the rank of lieutenant in the Chandler force.



Babeu takes over as sheriff at the first of the year.
 

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  Rachel says:

  December 15, 2008 at 4:02 pm

  Kirkham should have known better, taking a politcal appointment two months before an election isn’t the brightest thing to do.
  
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  WellDone says:

  December 15, 2008 at 7:09 pm

  Ok, so Far So Good, both are very capable people who know their way around politics and law enforcement. No whinning Kirkham–this is a Sheriff’s department not Mesa PD.–what part of AT WILL didn’t you get when you hired on. In four years if these folks don’t their job, they too will be in the bread line
  
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  Exit526 says:

  December 15, 2008 at 9:10 pm

  Funny. Maybe Kirkham took the job to DO the job, not to play politics, a novel characteristic you might be overlooking. Let’s wait until January 1 and then start counting the bright bulbs that show up.
  
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  ovjoker says:

  December 15, 2008 at 10:01 pm

  I think Babeu will be great for the county. He will bring back the intregrity and professionalism to the organization. There are some great people at the Sheriffs office. Especially in R2, where they are often overlooked but never forgotten. Kirkham should have known better than to accept that position 2 months before a election. If he was that naive to think he would not be replaced by the incoming sheriff, it is a good thing he is no longer leading the organization.
  
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  Carboun says:

  December 15, 2008 at 10:16 pm

  Replacing PCSO with Chandler PD good ole’ boys, gotta love that Paul! And to think this is only the first round ! I’m getting almost as excited as a I did when you dismissed that photo radar ticket for me last month ! Maybe you can appoint me as a Lieutenant with your administration and I can raise havoc over in Pinal County just like I have done over here at Chandler PD. Is it ok if I wear my blue Babeu campaign shirt on duty in Pinal County? I haven’t taken it off in over a year so I figure, “what the heck-I’ll keep it on!” Thanks Paul !
  
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  McGruff says:

  December 15, 2008 at 11:58 pm

  Babeu have you ever heard the saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer?……it would be wise to keep seasoned staff members in top positions who know the system, as you don’t have the tenured experience as some of these people have. Don’t be so quick to dismiss people as it would be wise to get to know them first. Just because Vasquez ran a sinking ship doesn’t mean his underlings would want to go down with the ship also. If you talked to them you might find they would be quit responsive to you. Slow down, use your head and think about what is best for the PCSO and Pinal County.
  
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  Goober Grabber says:

  December 16, 2008 at 4:59 am

  Pinal County is getting professional people to do professional jobs and will reap the rewards in the future. This is not meant to say Mr Kirkham is not a professional but just in the job at the wrong time.
  Lets all support the new Sheriff and his staff.
  
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  Sam says:

  December 16, 2008 at 7:28 am

  Steve Henry is an excellent choice for the #2 spot. I have worked for him several years and is by far the best supervisor that I have worked for. Sad to see him leave but a great opportunity for him and a great pick up for PCSO.
  
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  Blake says:

  December 16, 2008 at 10:48 am

  Exactly rachel… And he met with Babeu two or three times… Maybe not one on one, but there were several chances. I’m pretty sure Kirkham said he did not get involved with the election. WOW make sure you dont make off-color inappropriate comments about the opponent in staff meetings. That does not help your chances should he get elected.
  
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  ANTHEMRESIDENT says:

  December 16, 2008 at 10:22 pm

  Yeah McGruff, makes perfect sense right, I don’t want to jump off the bridge but because Vasquez is doing it, I will…make sense right? WRONG! If they didn’t want to go down with the ship, they shouldn’t have jumped on board with him. They knew what he was doing was wrong and they shouldn’t have played the game with him. That’s their own loss and they should be dismissed. We want people in the Sheriff’s office that are an example to this county and that make the right choices, especially when pressure is on and response is everything. Good for Babeu for sailing out those followers who obviously don’t know what they’re doing if they’re taking their orders from someone who does nothing but lie, steal, and blast our county. Vasquez was all wrong for this county and I can’t wait for Babeu to take over!!!
  
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  oh no says:

  December 17, 2008 at 12:49 pm

  Glad that Babeu chose someone with a detention background since the jails is what will cause most sheriffs the most problems. HENRY? Holy shi* Glad Henry praises Babeu for honor and integrity, maybe some will rub off on him. And hopefully all the sucking up techniques he learned from Harris do not build Babeu’s ego too much.
  
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  just wait says:

  December 20, 2008 at 1:30 am

  Wait to you hear some of the other people that are following Paul. (some are shocking) Paul will do an outstanding job though.