O’Brien County, Iowa — The longest serving Sheriff in Iowa history will be hanging up his badge at the end of this month.
O’Brien County Sheriff Michael Anderson had announced earlier that he wouldn’t be seeking reelection to the post he’s held since Gerald Ford was in the White House, but at last week’s O’Brien County Supervisors meeting, Anderson informed the Board that he will not be finishing out his current term, instead resigning on August 31st.
Anderson talked to KIWA about his decision to retire before the end of his current term.
Anderson says he’s been working at the Sheriff’s Office for more than 42 years.
He says he first ran for Sheriff in 1976, and had an opponent in the Republican Primary that year.
We asked Sheriff Anderson what happens now, as far as selecting someone to fill his unexpired term.
Anderson says the current 1st Deputy is Allen Schuknecht, who will appear on this November’s ballot as the Republican candidate for Sheriff. Schuknecht defeated Sheldon Police Officer Todd Wood in the June primary. Anderson says Schuknecht has been with the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 40 years.
We asked the Sheriff about his plans for retirement.
Anderson said he’s transitioning from being a career-long lawman to become a full-time husband, father, and grandfather.
