Jason Pollock will be the new sheriff of Jefferson County. The deputy and now sheriff-elect defeated the incumbent, Sheriff Marc Heckathorn, in Tuesday’s primary.
Pollock had a 52%-43% lead on Heckathorn as of Wednesday afternoon.
“It was shocking to me. In the initial part of this, I wasn’t sure exactly what this was going to look like,” said Pollock, a 11-year veteran of the department.
Heckathorn, who has held the job since July, conceded.
“Of course we are disappointed by the election results from last night but my commitment to Jefferson County is unwavering,” Heckathorn said in a statement. “I pledge to do my part to accomplish a smooth transition of administrations.”
Heckathorn’s term doesn’t end until January.
Pollock received key endorsements from Jefferson County District Attorney Steve Leriche and from former Sheriff Jim Adkins, the man Heckathorn replaced.
“I think without those, it would’ve been a really tight race,” said Pollock.
One of the main reasons they listed was Heckathorn pulling away from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and failing to take responsibility for the department’s failures. Heckathorn said he felt blindsided by the endorsements.
Heckathorn has 27 years of law enforcement experience to Pollock’s 18 years.
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