Deadline to keep deputy status nears for employees in Columbiana County

STAFF REPORT

LISBON — Columbiana County Sheriff Raymond Stone wants people with a sheriff’s badge or identification to contact him before Monday.

Stone said Monday that’s when his new term begins.

The request is designed to make sure people who have deputy status retain it.

After that date, Stone said he would not be responsible for anyone with a badge who does not have a commission as a deputy.

Stone was appointed as sheriff last fall after former Sheriff David Smith resigned.

The sheriff won the election in November. Stone said he had to be sworn in again in Common Pleas Court, for 2009 and beyond.

Stone said so do all his regular, reserve and special deputies.

Stone said about 69 people had to be sworn in again when he took office earlier this year. Those people have to be sworn in again effective in 2009.

Having investigators in the prosecutor’s office with deputy status can speed arrests. Having a special deputy status allows some court workers to serve documents in cases instead of having to call a deputy.

Stone said he couldn’t recall any local cases where someone was using a fake law enforcement badge.