As Polk County sheriff retires, chief deputy running to replace her

Barb Erdman, first elected Polk County sheriff in 2010, is stepping away from the job at the end of the year to retire and spend time with family. Now James Tadman, chief deputy since 2013, said he wants the job.

"I served two terms, and I've been with the sheriff's office since 1987, and it's a good spot in my career to go on to the next phase," she said, noting her pride in a new radio system and deputies' readiness. "I've been extremely lucky in the sense that I have thoroughly enjoyed my job. Polk County has been a tremendous place to work."

A graduate of 1988 graduate of Hibbing Technical college, Tadman has lived in Polk County for three decades. He and his wife, Stacy, have three children, ages 12 to 21, and he has served as a member of the Win-E-Mac School Board and Erskine Fire Department and has been with the Sheriff's Office for 30 years.

"Tadman's goals are to continue providing effective and professional law enforcement while maximizing patrol and investigative coverage," a Monday announcement from Tadman's campaign said, noting he also hopes to re-establish the department's canine program and boost "current youth programming."

Erdman, a graduate of 1987 Drayton High School and a 1980 graduate of North Dakota State University, joined the Sheriff's Office as a civilian interviewer, later becoming licensed as a peace officer, serving as a deputy, then a sergeant and then winning the sheriff's job in 2010. She stressed that she's not leaving because of any dislike for the job.

"It's nice to be done while you still love what you do," she said.