The board adopted a resolution honoring Rutter for working “tirelessly to advance law enforcement efforts.” He is retiring June 28 after 28 years in law enforcement, including 7 1/2 years as sheriff.

Rochon, who is a declared Republican candidate for sheriff in the Nov. 6 election, was named Thursday to fill the remainder of Rutter’s elected term through Dec. 31. By statute, the vacancy was filled through an appointment made by County Prosecutor Lisa Richards, Probate Judge Thomas Slagle and Clerk-Register of Deeds Carol Bronzyk.

Rochon also spoke, citing Rutter and retiring Detective Lt. Derek Dixon as examples of officers “fully committed to serving the community.”

A resolution honoring Dixon pointed to his work as a member of the collaborative KIND drug enforcement team the past 25 years and his role as a hostage negotiator for the Critical Incident Response Team the past seven years.

DEPUTY RANDALL HOWE, left, and Lt. Adam Chaput pose with Cheeto, the Dickinson County Sheriff Department’s new K-9 officer. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

“I didn’t have to look very far for guidance,” said Rochon, who will move up to sheriff after 23 years with the department, including the past year as undersheriff.

Dixon told citizens he’s been “so fortunate to work in a community like this where we have the support.”

Rutter, meanwhile, noted the county board’s endorsement of improvements at the both the correctional center and dispatch center, and the acquisition of drones. He also helped welcome the department’s newest addition — K-9 officer Cheeto, a 21-month-old Belgian Malinois.

Rutter has served the Dickinson department more than 26 years, as a road patrol deputy, a road lieutenant and as undersheriff under former Sheriff Scott Celello. He was hired during the tenure of former Sheriff Donald Charlevoix.

Rutter was elected sheriff as a Democrat in 2016 and reelected in 2020. Rochon is the only candidate for sheriff on the Aug. 6 primary ballot.

The retiring sheriff praised Rochon’s commitment to the office, saying his approach is “about this community and what you can do for people.”