On Monday, Mar. 18, the Monroe County Clerk’s Office released the following statement:
“The Monroe County Commission held an emergency meeting this morning to accept the resignation of Jeff Jones as Sheriff of Monroe County and begin the search for an interim Sheriff who will serve the remaining nine months of Sheriff Jones’ term until his duly elected successor takes office on Jan. 1, 2025.
Sheriff Jones’ resignation effectively ends the civil litigation that began when the Commission passed the resolution to remove him from office on Oct. 26, 2023. This has been a difficult process for all parties involved and the Commission wishes to express its gratitude to Mr. Jones for electing to resign rather than proceed with a contentious hearing. The Commission wishes Mr. Jones the best in his future endeavors.”
The next day, on Tuesday, Mar. 19, a Special Session was held to select an interim sheriff to fill the vacancy.
“With guidance from the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, the Monroe County Prosecutor, and following West Virginia State Code (§3-10-8) the Commission, in a three to zero vote, unanimously voted to appoint Michael Miller of Marie, WV, as interim Sheriff,” states a release from the Clerk’s Office. “Mr. Miller, who is retired from the West Virginia State Police and former head of security at the Greenbrier Resort, brings previous working experience to the position. Mr. Miller will finish out the unexpired term, which is nine months, till the new duly elected Sheriff takes office on Jan. 1, 2025.”
Commission President Kevin Galford stated, “To be fair in the Primary Election, we had to appoint someone not in the current Sheriff race. It is our duty, as a Commission, to not interfere or give anyone an unfair advantage in the upcoming election.”
Newly appointed Sheriff Miller was sworn into office by County Clerk Jeremy Meadows.