Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey has sent a letter to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners confirming his retirement at the end of the year. Speaking at Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner Dave Vollrath said Bailey already announced he was stepping down, but the time is coming to select his replacement.
“It’s information we already knew, but it’s making it official,” Vollrath said. “He’s recommended Chuck Heit, his undersheriff, to replace him. Because he’s retiring a year early, he has one year left on his term. He will have to be replaced. Those that will make that decision are our prosecutor, our county clerk, and the probate judge.”
Vollrath said Bailey has been in law enforcement for 43 years, with 23 years of that as the county sheriff. Bailey addressed the county administration committee this week, praising county staff and his deputies. The final say on his replacement for the year until his term expires belongs to that panel of the prosecutor, clerk, and Judge Mabel Mayfield.
