Gloucester Sheriff E. Steve Gentry abruptly announced his resignation last week, citing personal issues, just one month into his second term of office. He vacated the post at midnight Saturday, leaving his chief deputy, Major Darrell Warren, to head the Gloucester Sheriff’s Office. A special election to fill the sheriff’s post will likely be held with the General Election on Nov. 6.
Gentry’s wife, Ann Gentry, brought her husband’s resignation announcement to the Gazette-Journal last Thursday. Addressed to Gloucester County Citizens, the letter read as follows: "Dear Friends, Effective at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012, I am stepping down as Sheriff of Gloucester County. This action is necessary so that I may concentrate on personal issues and spend more time with my family as we deal with this.
"I have been very proud to have served this community and am very proud of all of the accomplishments of this Sheriff’s Office. I leave, in the very capable hands of my Chief Deputy, Major Darrell Warren, a Sheriff’s Office of wonderful men and women who are dedicated to you, Gloucester County and its safety and future, Sincerely, Steve Gentry." Gentry has made no further public comment on his departure.
Warren said last Thursday that Gentry made the surprise resignation announcement to his administrative staff the morning of Feb. 1, and told other GSO employees during a late afternoon meeting. He said Gentry cited personal issues and spending more time with family as reasons for leaving his post. Warren said Gentry also informed Gloucester Circuit Court Judge R. Bruce Long and Gloucester County Administrator Brenda Garton of his planned departure.
"We have a great working relationship with Darrell Warren and look forward to working with him and the staff in the sheriff’s office to make the transition as seamless as possible," Garton said in a statement Friday. She said she would meet with Warren this week to review Gentry’s budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year.
Garton also confirmed, as did Gloucester General Registrar Bobbi Morgan, that the chief deputy assumes the duties of sheriff pending the result of a special election, per Virginia Code. Morgan said the Gloucester Electoral Board has informed the local circuit court that Nov. 6 is its preferred day for the special election. Gloucester county supervisors also endorsed the Nov. 6 date during their meeting Tuesday. The winner of the special election will fill the remainder of Gentry’s four-year term.
Warren said GSO services provided to the county will not be affected by the change in command. "As sheriff of Gloucester County, I will ensure that this office operates in a professional manner while remaining accessible to the citizens we serve. I encourage anyone to contact me with any concerns that they may have with the services that we provide," he said in a release. Warren also said he will seek election to Gentry’s unexpired term.
Gentry served as a Virginia State Trooper for 30 years, retiring in 2005. He was first elected sheriff as an independent candidate in 2007, defeating longtime Republican incumbent Robin Stanaway. He was reelected by a wide margin in a four-way race in November.
Gentry appointed Warren as his Chief Deputy in March 2008. A GSO deputy since 1991, Warren progressed through the ranks of the law enforcement division. He holds a degree in the administration of justice and has completed training at the FBI National Academy in Quantico and the Professional Executive Leadership School at the University of Richmond.