OTTAWA — Jeff Richards, Ottawa, was sworn in as Franklin County sheriff by County Clerk Janet Paddock this morning at the Franklin County Commission meeting. Richards, who was an Overland Park police detective and also an Ottawa city commissioner, was picked by Franklin County Republican officials picked to succeed Jeff Curry, who resigned effective April1 after being arrested in March. Richards was formally appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback following the selection by the Franklin County nominating convention. Richards said he will step down as Ottawa city commissioner later this month but the timing of his resignation is still being worked out. Richards said he will spend time settling into the sheriff’s position before he plans any changes in the department. Before he served in military law enforcement in the U.S. Air Force and joined the Overland Park department, Richards served in the Neosho County Sheriff’s Department and he said he will be able to make the transition from urban policing to a more rural department. Curry resigned under pressure after he was arrested and charged with interfering with a law enforcement officer and official misconduct. He also agreed to surrender his law enforcement certification and to take part in a one-year diversion program, in which charges will be dropped if he follows the diversion program. A deputy was also charged, and prosecutors agreed to drop the charge against him if he also agreed to surrender his law enforcement certification. It won’t be Richards’ last swearing in. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is holding a swearing in ceremony at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Franklin County Annex as Richards swears in Franklin County commissioned law enforcement officers, including deputies, Ottawa and Wellsville police, and Ottawa firefighters. Members of the public are invited to attend. The swearing-in ceremony will be followed by a reception.
Wednesday, April 10, 3 p.m.
