Sheriff Bailey has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 32 years. During his first ten years with the Sheriff’s Office he served in several positions that began with dispatcher, followed by road officer, shift sergeant, and sergeant detective. However, for the remaining 22 years he served as second in command as the Chief Deputy Sheriff of Marion County.
During his service with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Bailey has received numerous awards and citations, some of which include, Citation for Heroism and an Award for being wounded in the line of duty when a barricaded suspect with a shotgun shot him in the face. He was also honored as Deputy of the Year.
Sheriff Bailey is a trained pilot, flying both fixed wing aircrafts and helicopters. He is scuba diver certified by both the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and the National Association of Scuba Divers (NASDS). Bailey received his Special Weapons and Tactics training (SWAT) from the FBI at Camp Perry, Ohio.
Over his career, Sheriff Bailey has attended numerous classes devoted to law enforcement. In addition to these accomplishments, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Marion Technical College with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Criminal Justice Technology.
As a certified trainer, Sheriff Bailey also serves as an instructor at Marion Technical College in the Marion Basic Law Enforcement Academy teaching Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), Drugs and Narcotics, and Photography. Bailey has twice been selected as the Instructor of the Year.
While in the Armed Forces, Sheriff Bailey served with the 1st Air Cavalry Division, U.S. Army, in the Republic of Viet Nam. He graduated first in his class from the Division Sniper School. During his tour in Southeast Asia, Bailey received the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Gold “V” for heroism, the Purple Heart Medal and the Air Medal. He is the recipient of several meritorious service awards, also.
Sheriff Bailey is a member of the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, The National Sheriff’s Association, The Fraternal Order of Police, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Airborne Law Enforcement Association, The Ohio State University Alumni Association, and Benjamin Harrison Elementary School PTA.
Sheriff Bailey is married to the former Marianne Meyer–Behm and together they enjoy golfing, boating, and fishing.