GOP Candidates Line Up For Henderson Co. Sheriff's Job

Updated: February 8, 2012

At least eight people have expressed interest in replacing Henderson County Sheriff Rick Davis, according to our coverage partners at the Hendersonville Times News.

The newspaper reports the Henderson County Republican Party has formed a 10-member committee to interview those interested in the position.   The candidate list consists of Tim Brooks, a retired highway patrolman; Don Fisher, retired Laurel Park chief of police; Tim Griffin, captain at the Henderson County Sheriff's Office; Michael James, retired highway patrolman; Rusty Jones, highway patrolman; Charlie McDonald, retired Sheriff's Office captain; Frank Stout, retired highway patrolman; and Larry Young, Henderson County commissioner.

More candidates may come forward, said Andrew Riddle, chair of the selection committee, which will hold a closed-session meeting tonight to discuss the vacancy.

Read more about the story here

Updated: February 6, 2012

Henderson County Sheriff Rick Davis has been granted medical retirement from the state.

The position will be open starting March 1.

Commissioners have asked Republican Party Chairman Mike Scruggs to recommend a replacement by March 5.  Read that letter here.

"This is a most important office in local government, and the prompt naming of a new officerholder is clearly in the best interest of the people of our county," board Chairman Tommy Thompson said in the letter from commissioners to Scruggs.

Read more about the story here.

Updated: February 3, 2012

Henderson County Commissioners plan to talk about Sheriff Rick Davis's medical retirement Monday.

Davis has been taking sick leave since November claiming he was being treated for bipolar disorder. 

Monday's meeting won't be open to the public.

7 On Your Side will keep you updated.

Posted: January 18, 2012

An audit of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office shows no unusual items or expenditure that did not appear to be for public safety purposes.

The Times-News of Hendersonville reports county manager Steve Wyatt announced the results of the review Wednesday.

Martin Starnes and Associates was hired to perform the audit of the department. Further, the county finance director has taken control of the department's six bank accounts so only one person is writing checks.

Posted: January 16, 2012

A newspaper reports the Henderson County sheriff who says he has mental health problems put tens of thousands of dollars' worth of perks including food and car rentals on a county credit card.

The Times-News of Hendersonville reports Sheriff Rick Davis spent $20,000 on charges including $80 for dinner at a Boston seafood restaurant while Davis and another officer were traveling for a conference. There is also a $1,000 charge for a rental car in Los Angeles.

The newspaper examined records from August 2010 to October 2011.

Davis has not responded to the paper's interview requests. Davis told county commissioners last month he will seek medical retirement on the advice of doctors who are treating him for manic bipolar disorder, which he said is causing him to behave erratically.