Sheriff Ward announces resignation

Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward announced his resignation, effective at midnight Nov. 16, during a special meeting of the Highland County Board of Commissioners Monday.

Ward has served as sheriff for 14 years and has been employed at the Highland County Sheriff's Office for the last 27 years.

Commissioners entered into a brief executive session Monday before returning at 10:08 a.m. In open session, Ward presented his letter of resignation to the board.

"I do want to thank you for all of your guidance over the years, both past and present commissioners," Ward said. "Through good times and bad times, we've weathered the storms with the budget cuts, and I'm proud of that fact. This is all I have done my adult life. It's been a great ride."

Ward said with the sweeping changes in the Public Employees Retirement System, he has found himself in a position within the next year that he had to "do something." Ward said his full retirement will be effective Sept. 15, 2014.

"I wasn't looking for this opportunity, but it came about," Ward said, in reference to a new career move that should be announced later today.

Highland County Commission President Shane Wilkin thanked Ward for his service, noting that when he first came into the office, one of the first things he had to ask the sheriff was for a $500,000 budget cut.

"When I first came in the office, we had a $11 million budget go to $9 million, and then to the low eights [$8 million]," Wilkin said. "I had to tell the sheriff I need to take $500,000 out of your budget. Sheriff Ward handled it with the utmost professionalism. He took the brunt of the cuts as well as could be."

Wilkin said Ward has done as an excellent job as sheriff and as an administrator. "I'm sure everyone hates to see this day come, but we wish you the best."

Highland County Commissioner and former sheriff Tom Horst said last week, Sheriff Ward came into the commissioners' office and told him, "Tom, I'm going to have the same conversation with you that you had with me in 1999."

"It is bittersweet, but I understand," Horst said. "Sometimes an offer comes along that you can't pass up. It's a great opportunity, and I respect him for that. When I left office, I picked Ron to be the sheriff, and he has upheld this office with the highest integrity."

Highland County Commissioner and former township trustee Jeremy Shaffer also thanked the sheriff for "really caring about the county and always being there for the township trustees.

"You would take action when action was needed and tell us if it wasn't needed," Shaffer said. "The county is really going to miss you."

Ward said he will work with the county to ensure a smooth transition.

"I'll do whatever I can to help the next sheriff in any way," Ward said. "It will be a seamless transition, I assure you."

Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins said the county commissioners may appoint an interim sheriff for a period of between five and 45 days. After that period, the Highland County Republican Party Central Committee may appoint an interim sheriff through Dec. 31, 2014.

There will be a vote for the next sheriff during the May 2014 primary election.

Commissioners asked Highland County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Chuck Middleton if he would accept an interim appointment as sheriff.

"Yes, I would accept it," Middleton said.

"Chief Deputy Middleton has been involved in the day-to-day operations for several years," Ward said. "He knows budgets and department personnel."

Horst made a motion to accept Ward's letter of resignation. The motion was seconded by Shaffer and passed on a roll-call vote of 3-0.

The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.