Kevin Hirsch, 56, of Fults, turned in petitions Monday at the Monroe County Clerk’s office with 970 signatures, more than enough to qualify as an independent candidate in the upcoming sheriff’s race if they are determined to be valid.

“We are currently reviewing all of the petition documents to make sure that all of his signers are Monroe County registered voters, and that all is in order with the documents submitted,” Monroe County Clerk Dennis Knobloch said.

Because he is running as an independent, Hirsch was required to obtain signatures from at least five percent of the total number of voters in the November 2012 election by June 23. That minimum number came to 880.

If his candidacy filing is valid, Hirsch, who works at Menard Correctional Center as a sergeant of guards, will face Democrat candidate Dennis Schreder of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and Republican candidate Neal Rohlfing of the Fairview Heights Police Department in the November election.

Hirsch has previously run for sheriff as a Republican. He was defeated by current Monroe County Sheriff Dan Kelley, who is retiring after more than 30 years in the position.