Feb. 04--GLOUCESTER -- A day after the announcement of the sudden resignation of Sheriff Steve Gentry that stunned county officials and residents alike, the circumstances surrounding his departure remained a mystery.
In a voice message left with the Daily Press, Gentry offered no additional details beyond the "personal issues" he cited on Thursday in a resignation letter. Gentry wouldn't say whether those personal issues are related in any way to his public position as sheriff.
"Maybe another day, another year I'll talk about it more," Gentry said.
Gentry's departure brings to three the number of sheriffs in the region who either resigned or were voted out of office in November. In addition to Gentry, former Isle of Wight Sheriff Charlie Phelps was voted out of office at a time his office was under a lengthy Virginia State Police investigation and in Middlesex, former Sheriff Guy Abbott lost the election while under indictment on 25 felony charges, including embezzlement.
York County Sheriff Danny Diggs said he was caught off guard by Gentry's resignation and like many others is perplexed by the swift departure.
"It's certainly unfortunate that some personal things have led to his early retirement," Diggs said.
Gentry's resignation caps a recent spate of well-publicized travails among sheriffs in the region. But to Diggs, it's an anomaly and not a trend among the state's 124 sheriffs. Across the state and even country most sheriffs aren't having problems, he said.
Replacing Gentry is Darrell Warren, the department's chief deputy and second-in-command. Warren was born and raised in York County. His father retired as second-in-command in the York County Sheriff's Office in 1993.
"I grew up in law enforcement my whole life," Warren said.
Warren has served in the Gloucester Sheriff's Office for more than 20 years. He has long had his eye on running for sheriff, but didn't expect to attain the position effective Saturday night at midnight.
"I've been preparing for this for some time," he said. "But this was not part of a planned process. The bottom line is that I'm ready to lead this office into the future."
Priorities for Warren include transparency while maintaining a professional department with high standards that is accountable to the residents the department serves, he said. He said he will be accessible and dedicated.
"I'm very dedicated and loyal to the citizens I serve," Warren said. "I think that goes a long way."
Warren said he has been responsible for assembling the department's budget for the past two years, with Gentry having final approval before submission to the county, and plans to modify this year's budget proposal by Gentry.
"Obviously there are some modifications that I need to make and some proposals to put into it," he said.
County Administrator Brenda Garton said in an email she is scheduling a meeting with Warren next week to review the requests Gentry made for next year's budget.
"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.
The resignation raises the prospect of another sheriff's election in Gloucester. Gentry was elected over three opponents in 2011. Warren said he intends to run for the position.
Gloucester General Registrar Bobbi Morgan said the Gloucester Electoral Board's preference is to hold the sheriff's election in November in conjunction with the general election. The Board of Supervisors will discuss the matter at Tuesday night's meeting.
Copyright 2012 - Daily Press, Newport News, Va.
