Benton E. (Ben) Wolfinger
A candidate for Sheriff, Kootenai County in the 2012 Idaho Primary
Party: Republican
Age: 62
City: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Occupation: Sheriff, Kootenai County
Education background: Earned associate of science degree in law enforcement from North Idaho College, and advanced and management certificates from the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy.
Political background: Elected sheriff in 2012. Served as Coeur d’Alene City Councilman from December 2000 to January 2006. Served on the Governor’s Traffic Safety Commission for about 15 years.
Work experience: Wolfinger was hired as a deputy in 1983, at age 21, and has worked in or managed all aspects of the sheriff’s department since then. He has worked as a North Idaho College Law Enforcement Program Instructor and is past chairman of the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.
Family: Married. Has two sons.
Contact information
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Benton E. (Ben) Wolfinger (R) | 5,489 | 43.11% |
| Keith Hutcheson (R) | 3,795 | 29.80% |
| John Green (R) | 3,450 | 27.09% |
Related Coverage
Huckleberries: Family ties run deep for patient sheriff’s deputy
In the “Chip Off the Old Block” department, a Bayview man owes his life to a Kootenai County sheriff’s deputy who didn’t shoot first and ask questions later. Deputy Brad Wolfinger found himself facing an armed domestic-abuse suspect when he answered a call in Bayview on Monday.
Kootenai County sheriff candidates
John Green AGE: Not given