Editor’s note: This article has been changed to reflect the fact that there was a third candidate for sheriff.

Former law enforcement officer Brian Kiever says his top goal in running for sheriff of Rowan County is to clean up the crime throughout the county.
Kiever, 50, who is looking to unseat current Sheriff Kevin Auten, says what he cares about most is “getting the numbers down.” Kiever and Auten are the only two republicans in the race for sheriff, however democratic candidate Jacob “Jack” Eller is also running for the position.
Kiever is a former federal air marshal and has also worked as an officer with the China Grove Police Department. Kiever has also been a Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy where he worked in the detention center.
In February, a district court judge issued Kiever a prayer for judgment on a misdemeanor resisting arrest charge stemming from an October incident at his home. Kiever pleaded no contest. A prayer for judgment means the defendant admits responsibility for the incident and can be treated as guilty by the courts but receives no formal judgment. He was ordered to pay court costs.
His wife, Kathleen, was charged with resisting arrest as well as assault on a law enforcement officer. Both are misdemeanor offenses. Her case was also resolved in February. The courts dismissed the resisting arrest charge against Kathleen Kiever. She pleaded no contest to the assault charge, but was found guilty. She was given a year of supervised probation, ordered to perform community service and pay any of the officer’s medical expenses if they were not covered by medical insurance or worker’s compensation.
Investigators with the Granite Quarry-Faith Joint Police Authority went to the Kievers’ home to speak with the couple’s son, Peter, regarding allegations of possible inappropriate relationships with an underage girl. Peter Kiever was not charged regarding those allegations, but was charged with misdemeanor cyberstalking. His case is expected in court later this month.
Brian Kiever says he “wasn’t guilty” and believes the charges against him were “trumped up.” He hopes people would not judge him, but see him for what he can do for the county.
Kiever says he offers a different perspective now that he’s been through the court system. Getting arrested Kiever said was a lesson and put things into perspective for him.
“Now that I’ve seen the other side of the fence, now I can fight even harder” to reach voters, he said.
Kiever attended high school in New York, Aspen Colorado Community College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Stanly Community College. He and his wife have three children. The family attends Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.