Press Release: Unprecedented Public Safety Support: Firefighters and Law Enforcement Unions Unite Behind Will Milam for Montgomery County Sheriff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montgomery County, MD – In a powerful show of unity, the International Association of Firefighters Local 1664 (Montgomery County Career Firefighters) has joined a coalition of county and state law enforcement unions to endorse Will Milam for Montgomery County Sheriff. These groups inclu
UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO – Montgomery County Deputy Sheriffs, Montgomery County Department of Corrections, and all non-sworn Montgomery County police professionals
Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 35 – Montgomery County Police
Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 30 – Maryland-National Capital Park Police
Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police – Representing more than 20,000 active and retired officers statewide
This level of public safety support is virtually unprecedented in a county sheriff’s race, reflecting deep and widespread confidence in Milam’s leadership.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office plays a vital—but often overlooked—role in public safety: providing court security, serving court orders, enforcing child support, transporting prisoners, apprehending fugitives from justice, and performing various other law enforcement functions, including responding to 911 emergency calls.
Will Milam, a seasoned law enforcement executive and long-time Montgomery County resident, is running to bring critical reforms to the Sheriff’s Office. When elected, Milam plans to address the agency’s staffing crisis; enhance services for family and domestic violence victims; strengthen responses to behavioral health and emergency psychiatric orders; and expand engagement with Montgomery County youth.
Public safety succeeds when everyone who serves our community works together toward a common goal. The unified support of Montgomery County’s career firefighters, police officers, deputy sheriffs, and correctional officers reflects a shared confidence among those who know public safety best that Will Milam is the right choice to lead the Sheriff’s Office forward.
Public Safety Leaders Speak Out
Jeffrey Buddle, President of IAFF Local 1664, Montgomery County Career Firefighters, said:
“As firefighters, we know what it means to put our lives on the line—and we know none of us can do it alone. We rely on deputies and law enforcement to keep our communities safe, just as they rely on us. Now, more than ever, our deputies need a leader they can rely on. Will Milam is the right leader to fix the Sheriff’s Office, and I’m proud to announce that Montgomery County’s more than 1,600 active and retired career firefighters stand with Will.”
Gino Renne, President of UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, added:
“Beyond the fact that Sheriff’s Office employees have overwhelmingly expressed no confidence in the current office holder, more than 90% of sworn and civilian employees participated in our endorsement process, and Milam received all but one vote. That level of support speaks for itself. Will Milam has the experience, credibility, and vision needed to restore the Sheriff’s Office to the proud, high-performing agency it once was.”
Lee Holland, President of FOP Lodge 35 (Montgomery County Police), emphasized the operational strain caused by Sheriff’s Office shortfalls:
“Will understands the real-world challenges officers face every day. His plan to fix the staffing crisis and realign responsibilities will allow each agency to focus on its mission—making the entire system more efficient and safer for everyone.”
Jonathan Ness, President of FOP Lodge 30 (Maryland-National Capital Park Police), said:
“The fact that Montgomery County’s public safety community is standing together behind Will speaks volumes. He has stood shoulder to shoulder with our members over the years, and his integrity, experience, and commitment are exactly what the Sheriff’s Office needs.”
And at the statewide level, Clyde Boatwright, President of the Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police, added:
“This isn’t about politics—it’s about leadership and public safety. Will Milam has a clear, realistic plan to get the Sheriff’s Office back on track. Maryland’s more than 20,000 active and retired police officers are proud to stand behind him.”
With this coalition of support, Will Milam stands as the consensus choice of Montgomery County’s first responders to address the many challenges facing the Sheriff’s Office and to usher in a new vision for its future.
The Montgomery County Democratic primary is on June 23, 2026.