Marion County employees, along with city employees and officials, State Representative Chris Paddie, and State Senator Bryan Hughes, came together Friday to celebrate the retirement of Sheriff David McKnight and MCSO Administrative Assistant Lynda Starkey.
McKnight and Starkey announced their retirements earlier this month.
Starkey served as the MCSO Administrative Assistant to five sheriffs beginning in 1992: Walter Thomas, Eugene Tefteller, James Bennifield, Bill McCay, and McKnight.
Marion County Commissioners now have to appoint an interim Sheriff to fill McKnight’s remaining term which expires on December 31. In the November election, Constable David Capps and former officer David Quada are seeking the office. Commissioners tabled the appointment on Thursday, seeking more time to consider whom to appoint. McKnight will continue to serve as Sheriff until the appointment is made. McKnight’s resignation is effective May 31, 2020.
Starkey’s official retirement date is June 15, and Terri Thompson has been hired as her replacement. Starkey will spend the next two weeks training Thompson.
