Kent County (MI) Undersheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young has become the first female sheriff in the county’s history.
A committee appointed her interim sheriff Thursday, Sept. 27, the same day they interviewed her and one other candidate, former-Kent County sheriff’s Lt. Marc Burns.
LaJoye-Young will replace retiring Kent County Sheriff Larry Stelma for the remainder of his term, which ends in December 2020.
That fall, voters elect the county sheriff. LaJoye-Young can run, if she chooses.
LaJoye-Young will lead the department starting Nov. 1, the day Stelma retires.
When a sheriff dies, resigns, retires or otherwise leaves office during his or her term, state law mandates a trio of county officials appoint an interim top cop to fill the gap between elections.