CLAY, W.Va. — The Clay County Commission plans to choose a new county sheriff at its meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning in Clay.
Commission President Mike Pierson told MetroNews Tuesday an original list of 16 candidates is down to three and all of them have current and prior experience with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department.
Pierson said Jim Paxton is a retired deputy and former State Trooper, Robert Belt is a current deputy and Garrett Samples is the county’s home confinement officer.
“We looked for people with law enforcement experience and people who knew Clay County. We thought they would help the image of the sheriff’s department,” Pierson said.
Former Sheriff Miles “Mike” Slack resigned a few days before pleading guilty last week to a federal wiretapping charge.
Commission President Pierson said what happened to Slack was unfortunate. He said he remains very well-liked. Pierson said the sheriff’s department needs some good PR.
“We just thought it would be good to find somebody who knew the county and could help the sheriff’s department as far as the public relations and public image of the sheriff’s department,” Pierson said.
The commission meets at 10 o’clock Wed. at the Clay County Courthouse.
The person chosen will be in the office through 2014 and would be allowed to file as a candidate for sheriff next year.