Due to current manpower issues in the Gasconade County Sheriff Department’s staffing, Mark A. Williams said he intends to step down at the end of September to allow the presumptive sheriff-elect, Scott Eiler, to begin rebuilding the depleted department.

Williams currently has four deputies on his staff.

“They want stability,” said Williams on Monday acknowledging there is always a transition between a sheriff’s patrol and the newly elected sheriff’s preferences on personnel. “By bringing staff in early, we’ll have that stability.”

The county’s citizens, the sheriff’s patrol, and the county commission all deserve that stability, Williams noted.

He announced Tuesday afternoon his formal intent to resign at of the end of the month.

The veteran lawman with more than 30 years of experience said he wants to make the public aware that this decision isn’t about him.

“It’s not about my ego,” he said candidly. “It’s about getting that manpower back up to full level. I just think it will be better if I step aside now and let Scott (Eiler) come in and build up his staff. It’s not about me. It’s about Gasconade County.”

Eiler, who won the Republican party primary for sheriff last month against Shawn Mayberry, is unopposed on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot. Eiler current works as a police patrolman in Hermann and was a former sheriff’s deputy sergeant for the county.

“I’ll be there to help Scott with the transition period,” said Williams who took over as interim sheriff when John Romanus left abruptly in March. Williams was then named sheriff by the county’s commission for the remainder of 2020.

As is typical when a new sheriff comes on board, the newly elected official traditionally brings along a command staff of their own choosing. Some deputies will depart if they are not comfortable with the new sheriff or, as Williams noted, some have simply left for better-paying jobs or new career choices entirely.

“I think it’s better for the citizens of Gasconade County if I step away and let Scott get his start (early),” said Williams.

Larry Miskel, Gasconade County’s presiding commissioner, said Tuesday the decision to have Eiler sworn in as the interim sheriff is expected to take place sometime on, or before, Oct. 1.

“It’s doable from what I understand,” said Miskel. “Scott will be sworn in as the interim sheriff and then at the end of the year will be sworn in as sheriff. That’s the process.”

Miskel said he had a discussion with Williams where they agreed “everything was in a flux” regarding staffing concerns and the transition process.

Miskel said Williams will resign his sheriff’s position as of Sept. 30 and Eiler will be sworn in by a judge as the interim sheriff as soon as it can be scheduled.

“It was mutual, we discussed it as a commission,” Miskel told The Republican. “I made the presentation to Mark and he said he was thinking that too. There’s no guns. No knives. It’s amenable. He’s willing to do that.”

Eiler said he has agreed to take the interim position.

“It all came pretty out of the blue to me,” said Eiler of the discussion late last week.

He has given his notice to his police chief in Hermann, Marlon Walker, which is effective Sept. 30.

Eiler said Williams is willing to assist however he is needed.

“He’s going to help me,” said Eiler. “We’re going to work together. He already reached out to me and offered a helping hand. Me and him have had a good working relationship.”

Eiler said he expects to work closely with the county clerk to prepare the 2021 budget. “She’s been doing that a long time,” said Eiler about the knowledge Lesa Lietzow will be sharing with him.

Miskel said the commission is expected to formalize the agreement when they meet again tomorrow (Thursday) in at the courthouse in Hermann. Asked if this was a logical solution to the situation, Miskel agreed, saying it was the “premise of the whole idea.”

Williams submitted his letter of resignation Tuesday. It reads:

After much deliberation, and after consultation with County Commissioners and my family I have decided to resign as the Sheriff of Gasconade County, Missouri effective September 30, 2020.

This decision was not made in haste. I feel that my resignation is what is best for my staff and for the citizens of Gasconade County.  Based on our current manpower issues I feel that it is imperative that Sheriff-Elect Scott Eiler take office early in order to address the ongoing manpower crisis. It has proven difficult to attract applicants who wish to work for the Sheriff’s Office on a full-time basis.

This is most likely due to the fact that some people are hesitant to apply at a department during a transition period. Most applicants like and even require stability. And in my opinion that stability cannot be attained until Sheriff-Elect Eiler is in office.

My primary concern always and been and always will be the citizens of Gasconade County and men and women who provide law enforcement services. This is not about me which is exactly why I have decided to resign. I could have held this office until the end of the year but I do not feel that is what is best for everyone involved.

I would like to say thank you to the citizens of Gasconade County.  It has been an honor to be your Sheriff. I would also like to thank my staff for their hard work. They have often gone above and beyond the call of duty. I will remain on staff until the end of the year to ensure that transition goes as smoothly as possible.

I know that Sheriff-Elect Eiler will do a great job.

I wish all you peace, happiness, and prosperity. Stay safe and God Bless. 

Sincerely,

Mark A. Williams, Sheriff