This article and the staff photos were originally published by Derrick James in the McAlester News-Capital. Read the original article here.
Pittsburg County Commissioners on Thursday named an acting sheriff to take over after accepting the agreed upon resignation of now former Sheriff Chris Morris.
Commissioners called a special meeting Thursday to accept the resignation of Morris, who agreed in June 2023 to resign at the end of his term as part of a settlement agreement with the county commissioners.
The Commissioners in May voted to file a document calling for the sheriff’s removal. The petition alleged Morris willfully and habitually, “with bad or evil purpose,” neglected the duties of his office by acting in an “inexcusably reckless manner” after felony charges of embezzlement and bribery by a public official were filed against Morris.
According to the Jul. 12, 2023, agreed order in the case, Morris agreed to “resign from office on the last day of his current term of office or on Jan. 2, 2025, whichever is later, and agrees not to be sworn in or otherwise take office as Pittsburg County Sheriff for the four-year term beginning Jan. 2, 2025.”
The order stated Morris’ suspension was to remain in effect with pay through the last day of his current term of office or on Jan. 2, 2025 “whichever is later,” the order stated.
In his letter, Morris said it was an honor and a privilege to serve as the county’s sheriff for 8 years.
“The citizens of Pittsburg County have always supported me, and it is greatly appreciated,” Morris wrote in his letter.
Morris, who used the term “retiring” in his letter, said he is going to “pursue and focus on personal goals and business for a while” and that he will “run for office again soon.”
When asked about the use of retiring in the letter, Pittsburg County Commissioners said the District Attorney for Pittsburg County and the District Attorney of Rogers County who is prosecuting his case and representing the county in the removal proceedings both said the letter can be used as a resignation letter, despite the use of the word “retiring.”
Morris also wrote that he is still a call away and will do anything he can to help and will “continue to fight corruption that is going on in politics and our justice system.”
In a separate letter, Morris requested that his duty weapon and badge be transferred to him in line with state law due to his retirement and that a leather embroidered chair also be given to him.
A response letter from the Commissioners quoted state law that states Morris is not eligible for retirement due to being under the age of 62 per the requirements outlined by the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.
“Because you are not eligible for retirement, the county cannot give you the service weapon or badge as requested,” the Commissioners said in their letter to Morris.
Commissioners also wrote that if Morris desires the chair with his badge and name embroidered on it, then he would have to pay $895.45 “which was the original cost of the chair” due to the chair being paid for by county funds.
Following an executive session, Commissioners voted to approve Frankie McClendon as acting sheriff until a special election can be held.
After the meeting was adjourned, McClendon was sworn into office by Pittsburg County Special District Judge Mindy Beare. Loyd London was also sworn in as Undersheriff by Beare.
Morris, 50, was charged in May with felony counts of embezzlement of state property and two counts of bribery by a public official related to the alleged sale of a personally owned utility vehicle to the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office.
He is also accused of receiving a discount for a lift kit on a personal side-by-side in exchange for up charging repair invoices on sheriff patrol vehicles. The second count involves hail damage being repaired for free on a personal vehicle owned by Morris “in exchange for his promise to provide future business” from his department for future repairs.
The case is currently set for district court arraignment on Jan. 8, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
