PRINCETON — James A. Shipp, commander of the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department, has announced his intention to seek the Republican Party’s nomination for the office of Bureau County Sheriff in the November 2014 general election.

On Friday, Shipp, 57, of rural Princeton said he is running for the office because after 35 years at the sheriff’s department, he believes he can make changes for the betterment of the residents of Bureau County. With his many years of experience in law enforcement and his good working relationship with the Bureau County Board, he believes he would be the best choice for sheriff, Shipp said.

Born and raised in Bureau County, Shipp attended Hall High School and began his law enforcement career in 1977 for the village of Bureau. He graduated from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute in 1980 and was hired at the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department in 1981 by former Sheriff Mel Hult.