Anne K. Strasdauskas
Encyclopedia
Anne Katherine Strasdauskas is an American law enforcement official from the state of Maryland
. A Democrat
, she served as sheriff
of Baltimore County, Maryland
from 1998 until 2002.
Strasdauskas first worked for Baltimore County Government with the Baltimore County Jail as a Corrections Officer. She was hired by then Sheriff James E. Malone, Sr. By 1990, Strasdauskas made the move to become a Baltimore County Deputy Sheriff. She graduated from the Baltimoe County Police Academy. Strasdauskas was a Deputy Sheriff in the Field Operations Bureau until 1994.
Strasdauskas was terminated by then Sheriff Norman M. Pepersack, Jr. in February 1998. Her infraction was not getting a Non-emergency channel programmed on her radio during a vacation trip. Strasdauskas decided to run for Sheriff while filling an appeal , and filed on the deadline July 7, 1998. She ran in the Democratic primary with very little money, no name recognition, and help. Handmade signs, and close friends helped her win the primary. Now she faced her old boss in the 1998 General Election.
Strasdauskas was placed on the Democratic Unity Ballot with such names as Dutch Ruppersberger
, Ben Cardin
, Parris Glendening
, and others. She received enough campaign contributions to have professionally made campaign signs made with her slogan, "Fair, Firm, Impartial". The 1998 General Election proved to be a landslide for the Democrats, and Strasdauskas beat Pepersack by less than 6,500 votes. She also received help from Kathleen Kennedy, the daughter of Robert Kennedy, and now a close personal friend, who she has always given credit to.
. Strasdauskas lost to Fisher by approximately 12,000 votes. Fisher was close friend to Donald Schaffer (a high ranking state official)which was connected to the Baltimore Sunpapers. Sunpapers ran several articles against her in which she had no way of proving accusations but Sheriff Strasdauskas under the advice of a legal friend was told that even though articles were false to sue sunpapers would take a life time. Sheriff strasdauskas did not have financial resources to go after the Sunpapers for false statements. She lost the election because of the false allegations.
.
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, she served as sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County is a county located in the northern part of the US state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 805,029. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Towson. The name of the county was derived from the barony of the Proprietor of the Maryland...
from 1998 until 2002.
History
Anne Strasdauskas, of Lithuanian descent, was born as a twin sister in Baltimore, Maryland, and was raised in the Baltimore section of Highlandtown. Strasdauskas graduated from the [University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee]with a 3.8 gpa with a B.S. in Education (specializing in Physical Education and a A.A. degree in Health. Strasdauskas was a backup speedskater to the U.S. Olympic Team.She spent several winters in Holland skating with the Dutch national B Team.Strasdauskas first worked for Baltimore County Government with the Baltimore County Jail as a Corrections Officer. She was hired by then Sheriff James E. Malone, Sr. By 1990, Strasdauskas made the move to become a Baltimore County Deputy Sheriff. She graduated from the Baltimoe County Police Academy. Strasdauskas was a Deputy Sheriff in the Field Operations Bureau until 1994.
Strasdauskas was terminated by then Sheriff Norman M. Pepersack, Jr. in February 1998. Her infraction was not getting a Non-emergency channel programmed on her radio during a vacation trip. Strasdauskas decided to run for Sheriff while filling an appeal , and filed on the deadline July 7, 1998. She ran in the Democratic primary with very little money, no name recognition, and help. Handmade signs, and close friends helped her win the primary. Now she faced her old boss in the 1998 General Election.
Strasdauskas was placed on the Democratic Unity Ballot with such names as Dutch Ruppersberger
Dutch Ruppersberger
Charles Albert "Dutch" Ruppersberger III is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
, Ben Cardin
Ben Cardin
Benjamin Louis "Ben" Cardin is the junior United States Senator from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. Before his election to the Senate, Cardin was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing from 1987 to 2007.Cardin was elected to succeed Paul Sarbanes in...
, Parris Glendening
Parris Glendening
Parris Nelson Glendening , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 59th Governor of Maryland from January 18, 1995 to January 15, 2003...
, and others. She received enough campaign contributions to have professionally made campaign signs made with her slogan, "Fair, Firm, Impartial". The 1998 General Election proved to be a landslide for the Democrats, and Strasdauskas beat Pepersack by less than 6,500 votes. She also received help from Kathleen Kennedy, the daughter of Robert Kennedy, and now a close personal friend, who she has always given credit to.
The Sheriff
Under her stewardship, the Baltimore County Sheriff's Office attained a 20 year retirement plan, newer office equipment, upgrade in firearms, higher training standards, new security scanners, and after September 11, 2001, a new camera observation system was ordered, and was to be installed the following year. She also kept the budget flat lined with no increases in cost to tax payers.Electoral defeat
Leading up to the primary election in 2002, Strasdauskas faced only a handful of opponents. Charles Cuddy, a Baltimore County Dispatcher, and R. Jay Fisher, a Lieutenant with the Baltimore Police DepartmentBaltimore Police Department
The Baltimore Police Department provides police services to the city of Baltimore, Maryland and was officially established by the Maryland Legislature on March 16, 1853...
. Strasdauskas lost to Fisher by approximately 12,000 votes. Fisher was close friend to Donald Schaffer (a high ranking state official)which was connected to the Baltimore Sunpapers. Sunpapers ran several articles against her in which she had no way of proving accusations but Sheriff Strasdauskas under the advice of a legal friend was told that even though articles were false to sue sunpapers would take a life time. Sheriff strasdauskas did not have financial resources to go after the Sunpapers for false statements. She lost the election because of the false allegations.
Aftermath
Strasdauskas went back to work for private security. In 2005, she became a Correctional Officer for the Cecil County Sheriff's OfficeCecil County Sheriff's Office
The Cecil County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency servicing a population of 99,506 people within of juridiction.-Duties:...
.