CROWN POINT | Next year's race for Lake County sheriff will glow with police stars and badges, currently in use or taken out of storage and burnished anew.

Oscar Martinez, a 16-year county police veteran, announced his candidacy for sheriff last month in a speech stating, "I am not a politician. I am a police officer."

A survey of Lake County's political ranks indicates Martinez is among at least seven candidates with law enforcement experience who are exploring the prospect of being the county's top cop and in control of a $30 million budget and a payroll of more than 500.

Martinez, a deputy commander on the county Sheriff's Department, has regularly made headlines while helping create a highway interdiction team that has seized millions of dollars in illicit drugs and drug profits from couriers he has captured on local highways.

However, Martinez said he isn't running with the blessing of the current officeholder, who recently relieved Martinez of command and reassigned him back to daily street operations of the drug task force.

Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez, who is barred by term limits from running next year, admits he prefers County Police Chief Marco Kuyachich as the next sheriff.

Kuyachich, now second in command under the current sheriff, said recently he is exploring a run for sheriff, but hasn't made a final decision.

Nevertheless, Dominguez said Martinez' reassignment was routine and unrelated to politics. He said he won't be using his final year in office to meddle in the campaign.

The sheriff said he is exploring other directions, including a possible run for statewide office.

Former Sheriff John Buncich, who has been out of office eight years, is planning another run for sheriff next year on the strength of his many years in uniform as a county police officer.

Donald Parker, another veteran Lake County law enforcement official, announced last fall he was forming an exploratory committee. He served as a county and Schererville police officer as well as Schererville and Dyer police chief.

Others who have expressed interest include: County Clerk Thomas Philpot, a former and future county coroner; ex-Postal Inspector Richard Ligon, and Frank DuPey, a 17-year county police veteran and son of a former Hammond police chief. DuPey said he has been a patrolman, a canine officer and has worked in the sheriff's Lake Michigan marine unit.