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About Kevin Burns
I am a lifelong New Mexican, raised in rural communities where hard work wasn’t a choice, it was a way of life. From 4-H and FFA to ranch work, construction, and the oilfield, I learned the values of grit, responsibility, and showing up early. My wife and I raised our family right here in San Juan County, where we’ve embraced the small-town life, coaching youth sports and enjoying everything our great outdoors has to offer.
After years in the private sector, I sought a career rooted in purpose and professionalism and found it at the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. For 19 years, I’ve served this community with the same blue-collar work ethic I grew up with. From patrol to narcotics to investigations, I’ve led from the front in every role not just enforcing the law, but treating people with professionalism, compassion, and respect.
As a detective, I worked everything from thefts to homicides. My greatest growth came during my time with Region II Narcotics, where I supervised and later directed high-risk, multi-agency operations targeting drug trafficking networks that reached beyond our borders. These operations required leadership, financial oversight, strategic planning, and strong partnerships, all skills I bring with me today.
Now serving as Captain over Investigations, Records, Evidence, IT, and Public Information, I remain deeply involved — whether I’m in the field with detectives at 3 a.m. or at a criminal justice board meeting at 10:30 a.m. My role also places me at the center of leading largescale critical incidents and system-wide improvement efforts, including:
Incident Commander Crystal Snow, Avalanche Squared, and Navajo Gold
Chairing the Justice Reinvestment Working Group, identifying root causes of crime such as narcotics use and untreated behavioral health needs.
Modernizing local operations, transitioning outdated paper systems to electronic workflows to increase efficiency and accountability.
Leading the Intimate Partner Risk Assessment initiative, improving our response to domestic violence through data-backed tools and victim advocacy.
Restoring vital partnerships across law enforcement, courts, and community service providers because real public safety requires collaboration.
I’ve proudly represented the Sheriff’s Office at the local and state levels, helping influence legislation and secure resources that benefit our citizens. My involvement is trusted, my decisions reflect our mission, and I don’t shy away from hard conversations when the stakes are high. Our community deserves leadership that’s professional, informed, and present.
I’m committed to making San Juan County the safest place to raise a family and run a business in New Mexico. I’ve proven I’m ready, not only to protect what matters but to lead with purpose.
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What I Stand For
Uphold the Constitution · Uphold the Law · Protect Life and Property
Upholding the Constitution and the Second Amendment
The United States Constitution has stood the test of time as the foundation of American liberty, and the Second Amendment remains one of its most vital protections. Ratified during a turbulent period in our nation’s history, the Second Amendment ensures the right of the people to protect themselves, to hunt, and to resist government overreach.
Let’s be clear: attacking lawful gun ownership does not prevent crime, it only infringes upon the rights of responsible citizens. Criminals, by definition, disregard laws. If a gun is unavailable, they will find another tool to commit violence. Other everyday tools that could be used to harm others are not outlawed; why should law-abiding citizens lose their constitutional rights because of criminal behavior?
Gun laws are only effective when we prosecute, convict, and sentence those who break them. Criminalizing legal gun ownership punishes the wrong people and ignores the root of violent crime — intent, not the instrument.
That’s why I stand firmly behind the Second Amendment, which declares:
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
As your sheriff, I will vigorously defend these rights, because they were established not only for personal freedom but for the protection and security of the people.
My Priorities
Enhance Employee Wellbeing and Professional Development
Enhance Employee Wellbeing and Professional Development
Enhance Employee Wellbeing and Professional Development
Law enforcement is an honorable profession, but it comes with intense stressors that can impact both mental and physical health. When we lose deputies to burnout or other industries, we lose talent we’ve invested heavily in. To combat this, I will implement an agency-wide wellness program because healthy deputies are more effective, on an
Law enforcement is an honorable profession, but it comes with intense stressors that can impact both mental and physical health. When we lose deputies to burnout or other industries, we lose talent we’ve invested heavily in. To combat this, I will implement an agency-wide wellness program because healthy deputies are more effective, on and off duty.
Professional development is equally critical. While technical training is standard, I will introduce a leadership and academic track to prepare deputies for supervisory roles earlier in their careers. Every deputy is a leader and we need to prepare them earlier. Leadership development before promotion means our deputies can focus on leading effectively from day one..
Leverage Innovation and Intelligence-Led Policing
Enhance Employee Wellbeing and Professional Development
Enhance Employee Wellbeing and Professional Development
To reduce crime beyond what traditional methods allow, we must evolve. Reactive law enforcement alone is not enough. I’m working to integrate license plate reader systems, data analytics, and intelligence tools to proactively identify and address crime hotspots. Smarter resource allocation means our deputies can have a greater impact wher
To reduce crime beyond what traditional methods allow, we must evolve. Reactive law enforcement alone is not enough. I’m working to integrate license plate reader systems, data analytics, and intelligence tools to proactively identify and address crime hotspots. Smarter resource allocation means our deputies can have a greater impact where they’re needed most.
As co-chair of the Intimate Partner Risk Assessment initiative under the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, I’m pushing forward a validated lethality tool that helps deputies better assess domestic violence situations and increase safety for victims and officers. This, paired with improved victim services, will help break the cycle of violence and improve prosecution outcomes.
Technology must work for us, saving time, improving outcomes, and guiding smarter decisions.
Engaged Community Policing
Enhance Employee Wellbeing and Professional Development
Engaged Community Policing
Community engagement builds community trust. By implementing problem and place-oriented policing, we’ll collaborate with residents and businesses to address persistent crime and quality of life issues. Our deputies will partner with citizens to create target hardening strategies, making it harder for criminals to thrive and easier for our
Community engagement builds community trust. By implementing problem and place-oriented policing, we’ll collaborate with residents and businesses to address persistent crime and quality of life issues. Our deputies will partner with citizens to create target hardening strategies, making it harder for criminals to thrive and easier for our community to feel safe.
These proactive efforts empower the community and deepen trust in our deputies, making everyone a part of the solution.
Why I'm Running for Sheriff
I am committed to pursuit and prosecution of criminals and holding them accountable. I have established relationships with criminal justice and law enforcement partners to best serve the citizens of San Juan County.
I am informed, involved and in touch with local, state, and federal issues affecting our deputies and citizens. I am committed to protecting San Juan County and leading our Sheriff's Office with relentless forward progress.
My three pillars, employee wellbeing, innovation, and community partnership are the foundation of the future of our agency. I am committed to protecting constitutional rights and to leading the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office with engagement and integrity.
Together, we’ll protect life and property, foster opportunity, to make San Juan County the safest, most promising place to raise a family or start a business in New Mexico.