Marion County Sheriff Rich Stevenson is resigning June 30th.
In a letter to Marion County Board Chair Debbie Smith, Stevenson blames the new police reform laws. He also recommends Lieutenant Andy Garden to be his replacement.
Smith commended Garden for his work and says she plans to honor the sheriff’s request.
“It was not on the agenda and we did not vote on it. But it will be brought before the full board. We are losing a great Sheriff but Andy has been around and he is an amazing person himself. He will represent the county and it’s residents very well.”
Law Enforcement Committee Chair Steve Whritenour said he would pleased to make the motion to appoint Garden at Tuesday night’s full board meeting. Garden has 32 years in law enforcement, all at the sheriff’s department, where he started working at the age of 21.
“We have our spats like every family, but it is a family from Correctional Officer to Dispatch. And I will take care of it like my family. I love the Sheriff’s office because it’s an elected position. It’s run by the public and if you don’t do a good job you are voted out. It will be an honor to serve out what he’s started and accomplished and see if I can build on it so I appreciate the opportunity.”
Garden told the committee Stevenson struggled with the decision and leaving everyone behind. Garden said Stevenson is fair and honest and has done a lot of good and will be missed.
Whritenour said he also hated to see Stevenson gone and added his praise. He says Stevenson is responsible for him being in law enforcement. He said
after spending four hours with Stevenson in an internship at the Centralia Police Department convinced him to pursue a degree in law enforcement.
To this day, Whritenour says Stevenson is still someone he can go to and get an honest answer.
In his letter, Stevenson said the new policing laws are handcuffing police officers and he can only imagine that things will get worse before they get better. He noted he never planned to seek a third term as sheriff next year, but was planning on finishing out his second term. However, due to the attacks on law enforcement, he has decided that it is time for him to resign. In recommending Garden, Stevenson says Garden is a vital key in the operation of the Sheriff’s Office and he works hard at his job. On situations after hours, Stevenson says Garden drops what he is doing to respond on the scene to help make sure staff is safe and his professional opinion Garden is by far the most qualified for the position.
