UNION, W.Va. — The Monroe County Commission moved quickly Tuesday to appoint a new sheriff following the resignation of Jeff Jones,
The commission unanimously chose Michael Miller as interim sheriff. Miller is a retired state police trooper and the former head of security at The Greenbrier Resort.
Jones stepped down Monday. He faced a court hearing before a three-judge panel on attempts by the county commission to force him out of office for “neglect of duty” and “incompetence.”
Miller will complete the final nine months of the unexpired term. There will be a new sheriff in Monroe County beginning next January. Miller is not a candidate.
“To be fair in the Primary Election, we had to appoint someone not in the current Sheriff race. It is our duty, as a Commission, to not interfere or give anyone an unfair advantage in the upcoming election,” Monroe County Commission President Kevin Galford said.
Michael Heller and Scott Miller are running for sheriff in the May Republican Primary. There are no Democratic candidates.
Jones was arrested by state police on Sept. 15, 2023, and charged with failure to report as a mandated reporter and with deceiving the civil service commission. A magistrate court trial is scheduled for next week.