About Erik

Erik has been serving the citizens of Platte County since 1999. He has a range of experience in a variety of law enforcement operations, including patrol, investigations and tactical operations. Erik is also experienced in several areas unique to the duties of sheriffs such as jail operations, court security operations and civil process. Erik has served in the ranks of Sergeant, Captain and Major with the Sheriff’s Office. As the Major with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, he currently serves as the Undersheriff and General Counsel for the agency.

Erik is an experienced law enforcement trainer. In addition to being a basic law enforcement academy instructor, he has provided instruction to law enforcement officers across the State of Missouri. He has also instructed newly elected Missouri sheriffs as part of the new sheriffs training program. Erik began teaching as a college level instructor in 2009, and currently serves as an adjunct professor with Park University.

Erik has provided leadership not only in the Platte County Sheriff’s Office but in the broader law enforcement community. From 2008-2012, he served as chairman of the Law Enforcement Liability Committee of Midwest Public Risk. Since 2017, he has served on the Board of Directors for Midwest Public Risk and serves as chairman of the Board of Directors. Erik is a graduate of the 260th session of the FBI National Academy and has served on the Executive Board for the Kansas/Western Missouri Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates since 2019. He has written for Police Chiefmagazine and has served on committees for the National Sheriffs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Erik lives in rural Platte County with his wife Karen. They have two daughters and two granddaughters. Erik’s education includes a Bachelor’s in Public Administration from Park University, a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia, a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia.