Midland County Commissioners Appoint Interim Sheriff

Midland County Commissioners decided today who would be appointed as the interim sheriff after the death of Gary Painter.

According to NewsWest 9, the county commissioners court was packed for the monthly meeting as the commissioners decided on Richard Gillette to man the post of sheriff till the election in March.

Before the decision they allowed the public to voice their opinion.

Many got up and took the podium in support of Chief Deputy Rory McKinney to take the spot of acting sheriff.

But once the podium speeches were done, commissioners voted and the motion to appoint Gillette passed by a 3-2 vote with only Commissioner Luis Sanchez and County Judge Terry Johnson being the opposing votes.

Richard Gillette takes over the position after serving as the felony investigator for the District Attorney's office, but had served under Painter in the MCSO prior to becoming felony investigator.

Commissioner Randy Prude held fast to his opinion that appointing McKinney or Constable David Criner would give either man an unfair advantage in the upcoming election for a new sheriff.

Gillette has stated that he will not run for re-election in the upcoming March 2020 election to decide a new sheriff in Midland County.