Incoming sheriff Connie Smith sees a ‘hectic’ time ahead as she moves to take control in the new year
By James P. Gannon
Still investigating crimes while she prepares to take over the Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Connie Compton Smith is juggling her old job and contemplating her new job while those who work in the office wonder how the county’s first woman sheriff will shake up the organization.
In a brief interview Thursday, Smith told The Rappahannock Voice that the next few weeks will be “hectic” as she wraps up work as the chief investigative officer while planning her administration as sheriff.
“I am going to be pulled in every direction,” she said. “There is training I have to do and a lot of other things, so it’s going to be hectic, but I will get through it.”
The new sheriff, who was sworn in Wednesday but won’t start her term until Jan. 1, remains busy working as the chief investigator on several cases including the Dec. 1 break-in at Mayhugh’s store in Amissville, in which thieves stole a vehicle from Settle’s car lot on Route 211, smashed it through Mayhugh’s entrance and stole the ATM cash machine.
Smith said no arrests have been made or warrants issued in that case, but “there are suspects being looked at.” Evidence has been sent to the crime lab for analysis and if the evidence supports her case, Smith said warrants for the arrest of suspected individuals will be issued.
Smith will carry that case and some others into her new job. “The cases I have now I will carry over with me and work on those until I can hire a new investigator,” she said. One of her earliest priorities will be to replace herself as chief investigator, and to designate her chief deputy and make other assignments.
The new sheriff is free to make any assignments she wishes, and to keep or dismiss any of the deputies who have worked under outgoing Sheriff Larry Sherertz.
In a county sheriff’s office, there is no job protection or tenure for those who work for the elected officer. “They all serve at the pleasure of the sheriff,” said outgoing Sheriff Larry Sherertz. “You have a lot of power there” as a newly elected sheriff to make changes or reassignments, and to keep or dismiss deputies, he noted.
So while it is a hectic time for the incoming sheriff, it’s also a nervous time for those who serve at her pleasure and are unsure of their roles–or if they will have one–in the Smith era at the RCSO. At least some may be wondering if they will be part of it.
The spouse of one RSCO employee, who asked not to be named, commented: “None of the deputies have any idea if they are going to be reappointed come the first of the year. These people have to go through Christmas wondering what will happen, if they will have a job or if they have a job will it be at their same positions.”
Smith has not yet announced any appointments that she may make when she takes office. One unsettled question is whether her election rival, Maj. Chris Williams, who has served as Chief Deputy to Sheriff Sherertz, will remain in that job or any other job at the RCSO under Sheriff Smith. Williams has declined to comment since losing the election Nov. 6.
-- James P. Gannon
Write a comment