Trelka Running For Black Hawk County Sheriff

The 2020 election for Black Hawk County sheriff is shaping up to be an interesting one, even though the race officially has only announced candidate.

Waterloo Police Chief Dan Trelka plans to challenge incumbent Sheriff Tony Thompson for the job he's held for the past 11 years. The 56-year-old Trelka has served as police chief since May 2010. He's retiring Nov. 30.

Late Monday, Trelka announced that he's running for Black Hawk County sheriff in the November 2020 general election. He made the announcement on Facebook.

So far, Trelka is the only candidate to officially enter the race. A Republican, Trelka is currently the only member of his party on the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors. If he wins election as sheriff, Trelka would have to resign from the Board.

Trelka, a United States Marine Corp veteran, started his law enforcement career as a deputy sheriff in Weld County, Colo., from 1990-1992. From 1992 to 2010, he was a member of the police force in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Trelka served as Sturgeon Bay's police the last seven years he was with the department.

Tuesday morning, Thompson issued a statement responding to Trelka's announcement. In the statement, Thompson indicated that he intends to seek a fourth term as sheriff.