08/15/2026
Prospective of retired Uinta County Sergeant, Joshua Buhmann.
Uinta County friends, we find ourselves in the throes of another election season, rapidly closing in on decision time. I dont miss the anxiety and stress of dealing with these from inside an agency, and I genuinely feel for everyone who's being drug through it. Uinta County law enforcement was a major part of my life, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Its both lifted me up, and broken me. And like many others, I've walked away with plenty of physical and emotional scars.
I feel its necessary to give my thoughts, from my perspetive, on the Uinta County Sheriff's race. I worked alongside both candidates throughout my career, and I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of their morals and motivations. I stand to gain or lose nothing by supporting one candidate over the other, but feel it necessary to share my perspective.
Were I still in Uinta County, I would vote for Rowdy Dean. I worked alongside him over the course of nearly 20 years in one capacity or another. We became first acquainted when he started at the Sheriff's Office at the same time I started at the Evanston Police Department. We attended the Academy at the same time, and our careers intersected and weaved together over nearly 2 decades.
In my official capacity, I have been Rowdy's field training officer, shift partner, immediate supervisor, and toward the end I worked as his subordinate. We have shared the highest highs, and the lowest lows. I've seen his character shine through in tough times; when it came to run or fight, when hard choices had to be made, when bad news needed to be delivered, and when personal interests had to be put aside for the betterment of the agency. I've seen him lose sleep over the wellbeing and safety of his colleagues, reach out to them during his free time to help them in times of personal tragedy and need, and provide his own funds and property to help keep them on track. He has sacrificed time with his family, devoted energy to community boards and projects, and cares deeply about the history and success of his community. The only rewards for this were his knowing that matters were being attended to, and the community was better because of it.
Rowdy's interests have always been for the success and betterment of the agency hes worked for, and the community they serve. He has a generational connection to Uinta County which can't be replicated, and a deep care for the preservation of its history and the rights of its citizens. He loves his community, his deputies, and the history and values of Uinta County. You won't find a better man for the job! Just my 2 cents...
Josh is a retired Uinta County Patrol Sergeant. Josh honorably served the citizens of Uinta County for nearly 20 years before being injured in the line of duty and was forced to take a medical retirement. He gave more to this community than it will ever know. Thank you for your service and for the kind words.
