DUNCAN – Stephens County Sheriff-elect Rick Lang has started his new role earlier than expected.
Lang replaces outgoing Sheriff Wayne McKinney, who announced his retirement in a June 19 letter to the Board of Stephens County Commissioners.
“This letter is to inform you after serving 4 terms as the sheriff of Stephens County, I will be retiring June 28, 2024,” McKinney wrote. “It’s been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of our county these 16 years.”
The commissioners acknowledged the letter at a June 25 meeting, where they allowed McKinney to keep his duty sidearm after his retirement.
Commissioners also appointed Lang to replace McKinney starting June 29.
McKinney had originally planned to step down in early 2024, but he decided to postpone his retirement until June. Lang, who previously served as undersheriff, was elected as McKinney’s successor in the June 18 Republican primary election.