Montgomery County Sheriff

What’s the job: Duties differ by jurisdiction. In some counties, the sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer. In other jurisdictions, the sheriff is primarily responsible for courtroom security and enforcing court orders, such as evictions. Elected to a four-year term.

Democratic

Name: Will Milam

Age: 44

Personal: I am a longtime resident of Poolesville, where my wife and I are raising our two children, both of whom attend Montgomery County Public Schools. Family and community are at the center of my life, and I take pride in being actively involved in the place we call home.

Over the years, I have coached youth sports in the county, which has given me the opportunity to mentor young people, build lasting relationships with families, and contribute to their development both on and off the field. I also dedicate my time to volunteering in support of local organizations and community initiatives whenever possible.Professionally, I have spent more than two decades in public service as a law enforcement officer, serving in roles that emphasized leadership, accountability, and a commitment to others. These experiences have shaped my values and strengthened my dedication to service.Montgomery County is more than where I live, it is where I am deeply invested. Through my family, my work, and my community involvement, I remain committed to making a positive and lasting difference for my neighbors and future generations.

Education: I earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland Global Campus, graduating magna cum laude. I also completed the Police Union Leadership Program at Harvard Law School, where I focused on labor relations and organizational leadership.

In addition to my formal education, I have completed extensive professional training throughout my law enforcement career, including leadership development and command-level coursework. This combination of academic achievement and executive training has supported my advancement into senior leadership roles, and strengthened my ability to manage complex public safety operations and personnel matters.

Experience: I served 22 years in law enforcement with the Calvert County and Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Offices, culminating in my appointment as Chief Assistant Sheriff for Prince George’s County, where I held the position of second-in-command. In this role, I had executive responsibility for the daily operations of a nearly 400-member agency and provided oversight for the bureaus of Administration, Field Operations, Court Services, and Professional Accountability.

I directed agency-wide responses to critical incidents, served as a principal liaison to elected officials and community stakeholders, and played a central role in developing and advancing the Sheriff’s Office legislative agenda. Prior to this role, I served as Assistant Sheriff for the Bureau of Administration, overseeing Budget, Personnel, Training, Special Operations, and Asset Management functions.Earlier in my career, I held assignments as a patrol officer, public information officer, explosives detection canine handler, and was certified by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission as an instructor. I also served as a member of the Maryland Chiefs and Sheriffs’ Association, Prince George’s Police Chiefs Association, and the National Fraternal Order of Police.

Questionnaire

Q: What is your top priority for improving public safety, and what specific steps would you take in your first year in office to achieve it?

Q: How would you approach the relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the communities it serves, particularly residents who have historically had strained relationships with law enforcement?

Q: Maryland sheriffs have faced questions about the extent to which their offices should assist in federal immigration enforcement. How would you handle requests from federal agencies to cooperate on immigration matters?

Q: Why are you the best candidate for sheriff?

Name: Maxwell Cornelius Uy

Age: 53

Personal: While I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have resided in Montgomery County since 1994, choosing to live in the jurisdiction that I work and where I can invest in the communities I serve. We have raised our (now adult) children in Montgomery County and both have attended and graduated from the Montgomery County Public School system. Additionally, my wife is a long-time teacher, and current librarian, at a private school in Montgomery County. We both periodically volunteer with local groups to address food insecurity needs of our residents. I am running for re-election as Sheriff to ensure that I continue to make a positive impact on the community that we love and cherish.

Education: I enlisted in the active-duty U.S. Army at the age of 17 after my High School graduation and followed a non-traditional education route, completing course work at Frederick Community College while employed at the Sheriff’s Office and obtaining several professional instructor certifications through the Maryland Correctional Training and Standards Commissions to include Academic, Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Electronic Control Device and Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Instructor. Additionally, I have taught International Association of Chiefs Police (IACP) Leadership in Police Organizations as an adjunct instructor for many years at the Montgomery County Public Safety (Police) Training Academy. This training focused on behavioral science concepts and theories uniquely tailored to the law enforcement environment by addressing the individual, group and organization.

Experience: As the 62nd Montgomery County Sheriff, and the first Asian-American to hold this position, I feel I am uniquely qualified to serve as Sheriff. Since June 1994, I have served in every Division within the Sheriff’s Office - the Administrative Services, Civil & Criminal, Court Services, and Family Divisions - either as a deputy or as a supervisor. I spent many years as an instructor having been assigned to the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy, where I trained both police officers and deputies. Additionally, I have performed numerous adjunct assignments within the Sheriff’s Office including Hostage Negotiator Team, Firearms Task Force, Crisis Intervention Team and Special Events Response Team. Additionally, I was assigned to the Emergency Management Group to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to being elected in 2022, I served as Chief Deputy for the former Sheriff where I managed the daily operations of the entire Sheriff Office. I maintain active membership in both the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association, where I currently serve as a Vice President. I am also an active member of the Maryland Chiefs / Sheriffs legislative committee, providing feedback on legislation matters.

Questionnaire

Q: What is your top priority for improving public safety, and what specific steps would you take in your first year in office to achieve it?

Q: How would you approach the relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the communities it serves, particularly residents who have historically had strained relationships with law enforcement?

Q: Maryland sheriffs have faced questions about the extent to which their offices should assist in federal immigration enforcement. How would you handle requests from federal agencies to cooperate on immigration matters?

Q: Why are you the best candidate for sheriff?