Fort Madison, IA – Lee County Sheriff Buck Jones will officially retire on September 3, 2010. He made his announcement in a letter to the Lee County Board of Supervisors and to Lee County Auditor Anne Pedersen.
Jones has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years.
Jones' initial plan was to step down on August 6, 2010. His letter stated that his plans changed because he had to have back surgery before that date.
Jones says he will be well on his way to recovery by September 3.
Anne Pedersen says the postponement means Lee County will not have to change the general election ballot.
If a vacancy develops more than 73 days before a general election, the contest must be placed on the next election ballot. Jones' initial date was about 90 days away from the November 2 election while the new date is roughly 60 days away.
Pedersen says the Lee County Board of Supervisors will have a couple of months to name Jones' successor. She says Iowa Code requires that Chief Deputy Jim Scholl will take over, as soon as Jones' retires, until a replacement is named.
In his letter, Jones says Scholl is the best candidate to replace him. Jones says Scholl is more prepared to take over than Jones was when first elected.
Chairman Rick Larkin says no timeline has been set for the supervisors to name a new county sheriff.
Once an appointment is made, residents can call for a special election. Pedersen says the petition would require 1,736 signatures.