By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Law enforcement runs in the blood of new deputy sheriff Presley Mabe, 22, who began his duties three weeks ago.

Mabe’s father, uncle, and a cousin all worked in the field.

“I have a lot of family in it and it’s kind of in my genes,” he said.

An El Dorado native, he has worked for Sedgwick County and worked two years at El Dorado Correctional Facility.

He is scheduled to go to Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center this week.

His desire to help people is what prompted him to enter law enforcement. Helping with criminal situations helps people’s lives, he said.

“I worked at the prison for a couple years, so helping people makes me feel better,” he said.

Ten candidates applied for the deputy position. The way Mabe presented himself during the interview made him stand above the others, Undersheriff Larry Starkey said.

“We decided he was the best fit for our department,” Starkey said.