It was a bitter-sweet meeting for Faribault County commissioners on Tuesday.
On a unanimous vote, the five-member board approved by resolution the retirement of long-time Sheriff Mike Gormley.
Then, they approved a resolution to have Chief Deputy Scott Adams assume the duties as sheriff.
Gormley was elected to his fifth four-year term in November 2022 and had every intention of serving until 2026.
But, after nearly 35 years in law enforcement — 18 years as sheriff — Gormley by coincidence decided to announce he was retiring on his birthday.
“It was time to be done,” he says. “My wife has been a saint throughout my career. She’s ready for me not to take those late-night calls. And, I’m ready and my family is ready to have me around.”
Gormley reflects on his time with the sheriff’s department that began in 1995 when he was hired as a deputy.
“I’ve worked with a lot of great people,” he says. “I don’t know where the time went.”
Gormley’s last day on the job will be Jan. 29 and his wife already he has put together a “honey-do” list for him to tackle.
“A lot of things and projects have been put on hold and your family gets put on the back burner,” he says.
At age 58, Gormley realizes there are times when his job can get physical and that was recently put to a test.
“It’s a young man’s game. I can hold my own, but I don’t know if I want to push my luck.” he says.
Gormley says Adams, who has been chief deputy for 17 years, will serve the remaining two years left on his term and he will have to decide whether to run for election in 2026. He says there are no plans to fill the chief deputy position.