Sheriff names chief deputy

By: 
Editor Stephanie Ferriell

Sheriff Brent Miller has announced who will serve as chief deputy during his tenure. Miller said Friday he has selected Brad Shepherd, a current deputy at the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department.

Shepherd has an extensive law enforcement background and many years of administrative experience. He will begin his duties here in approximately two weeks.

Miller did not make the selection by himself. He had a three-person panel whom he charged with interviewing candidates and providing him with their top two recommendations.

Shepherd was the panel’s top choice.

Miller declined to name the individuals serving on the advisory panel, but said it included an attorney, a retired law enforcement officer and a local business person. This is the first time to Miller’s knowledge that the sheriff has used a process such as this to select his chief deputy. It is an individual hiring decision that is up to the sheriff. Miller said he wanted it to be as fair and impartial as possible.

Miller said also discussed the position with some county council members and county commissioners. “I took input from a lot of people.”

He said a total of five people applied for the chief deputy post.

“I had five that were all qualified to be chief deputy,” he said. “I had a good pool to select from and I think the panel helped me pick the best candidate.”

Miller, who was elected sheriff in November, has spent his entire law enforcement career with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

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