The Victoria High School and Fort Hays State University graduate has 24 years of law enforcement experience and has been with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office since 1997.
He issued the following statement Thursday afternoon:
Scott J. Braun, the current Ellis County Undersheriff, has announced his candidacy for Sheriff in the 2020 election. He chose today to announce his candidacy in memory of his mother who passed away earlier this month. This would have been her 77th birthday and she was his most loyal supporter.
Braun graduated from Victoria High School and then attended Barton County Community College and Fort Hays State University. Braun married his high school sweetheart, Terri, and will celebrate 24 years of marriage in November. Terri has been employed at High Plains Mental Health for 24 years and is also a Christian book author. They were blessed with 2 boys, Bryce and Coby.
Braun has served in law enforcement for over 24 years. He began his career in 1995 as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office before being hired in 1995 by the Ellis Police Department. While employed by the Ellis Police Department, he attended the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center graduating in 1996. In 1997, Braun was hired by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy. In addition to Braun’s regular duties in 1998, he became a member of the Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit advancing to Field Operations Coordinator and then to his current position of Administrative Coordinator of the Unit. In 1999, Braun spearheaded the Canine Program in Ellis County. He became the first Canine Handler and later became a Canine Instructor. In 2005, Braun was promoted to Narcotics Detective serving in that the capacity until 2018 when he was appointed by Sheriff Harbin as the Ellis County Undersheriff. In addition to becoming Undersheriff in 2018, Braun became Certified as a DARE Instructor, teaching 5th graders in Ellis County.
In addition to serving in a law enforcement capacity, Braun believes in serving the community in a civic capacity. He has been a member of the Hays Rotary Club since 2014 and served as President from 2017-2018. He continues to remain an active member by being on the board. Braun also currently serves as the Vice Chair of St. Nicholas of Myra Church Council and has been on the board for 5 years. He is an active member of the St. Nicholas of Myra Knights of Columbus Council and is a 4th Degree Knight. He served on the First Call for Help Board from 2014-2018. Braun also belongs to professional organizations and boards. He has served on the Board of the Kansas Narcotics Officer Association since 2010 and has been a Regional Trustee, Vice President, President and currently is an advisor to the board. He also currently serves on the Ellis County Crisis Intervention Team Council and is a founding board member.
Braun has been honored with the following awards in the course of his law enforcement career: 2001 Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Meritorious Award, 2006 Kansas Deputy Sheriff of the Year, 2007 Gold Award for Valor, and Top Cop Honorable Mention. Braun also has received the following civic awards: 2013-2014 Hays Rotary Outstanding Community Service Award and 2018-2019 Outstanding Club Service Award.
He is asking the citizens of Ellis County to support him in the 2020 election for Sheriff. Braun brings with him Dedication, Experience and Integrity.