PINEVILLE, W.Va. — The Wyoming County Commission appointed Lt. Randy Brooks as sheriff Friday, filling the unexpired term of Sheriff Sherill Parker, who died earlier this week.
The commission originally chose Chief Deputy Brad Ellison but he declined because he plans to run for sheriff in next year’s election. An appointment now would count as his first term in office. Sheriffs have a two consecutive term limit in West Virginia.
Brooks will complete Parker’s term through next year.
Meanwhile, the Wyoming County community will come together beginning on Sunday to remember Parker’s life. He spent more than 40 years in law enforcement.
Jason Mullins, president of the Wyoming County Commission, called Parker “a fantastic man.”
“He cared so much about the people of Wyoming County and he spent many years in the position he was in, either as chief deputy or as sheriff,” Mullins said. “The care and the love he had for the county, it’s hard to replace that.”
Parker was 72.
Replacing him would not be easy, Mullins said.
“He’s been a part of so many different things and been an important part of our county and the recent growth of our county. He remembered the history of our county. He was here through times that have been good and times that have been bad,” he said.
“When you lose someone that’s really important like that, someone who’s been around, someone with the experience he’s had, it’s big shoes to fill.”
On Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., a visitation for Parker was scheduled to be held at the Wyoming County Courthouse in Pineville with a second visitation period to follow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mullens Middle School.
“There’s so many people who loved and admired Parker so much that we felt like it was a good idea for everyone to be able to say goodbye to him,” Mullins said of the memorial plans.
A funeral service was planned for 11 a.m. Monday at Mullens Middle School followed by burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.
Jeff Jenkins contributed to this story.