New Clark County sheriff picks new leaders

Sheriff Deb Burchett

Sheriff Deb Burchett

Newly elected Sheriff Deb Burchett, Clark County’s first female sheriff, started on the job this week and has made several new administrative appointments.

One of Burchett’s first actions was to split the major position into three jobs. Maj. Russell Garman, who worked in the sheriff’s office for 36 years, has been replaced by Majs. Gary Cox, Chris Clark and Andy Reynolds. Cox will be in charge of administrative affairs, Clark will be responsible for road patrol and dispatch and Reynolds will be responsible for the detective and narcotics units.

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Burchett said there aren’t rules for hiring majors, which is why it was easy to split the position among three individuals.

“They’re all basically within the same price range,” she said.

Burchett’s new chief deputy is Travis Russell.

She said she’s not planning any other major changes right now but that she’s still working on overhauling the office.

“We’re in the rebuilding stage,” she said. “I’m not sure all that we’re going to do.”

One of her goals is to solidify unity within the sheriff’s office and with the Clark County community.

“I just want unity among the deputies, among the administration, the police department, the state highway patrol,” Burchett said. “That will be a lot better for the sheriff’s office. We all need to come together.”

Going forward, Burchett said she plans to be out and about as much as possible in the Clark County community so she can be in touch with residents’ needs.

“It’s important to stay in contact with the residents and deputies of Clark County,” she said. “I want to be a community sheriff.”

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