BELLE — Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman on Tuesday announced his disinclination to run for re-election to the office in 2025, and gave his support to his chief deputy.

“20 years as an elected official is a long time,” Heitman said. “I told myself after being in for so long if I found someone to take my place I would turn it over to them. I have some other career options and now it is time to turn it over to someone else.”

Heitman said retiring as the county’s sheriff has opened brought new opportunities.

“Retiring as sheriff will give me more of an opportunity to work for the United States Marshals Service and to continue to improve my business, Scuba Adventures.”

Heitman has asked the public to support his second, Chief Major Scott John, as his replacement.

“Scott has been with me for a long time now,” Heitman said. “I know his demeanor and his character. After evaluating and preparing him for so long he would be a good fit for the position.”

Heitman will continue to serve as sheriff until Jan. 1, 2025, when his term expires.

John declared his intentions to run for sheriff Tuesday afternoon.

“I plan to continue the direction the Sheriff has the department on, with goals for every year,” John said. “I think the Sheriff’s Posse is going to be big in the coming year.”

John added that he has gained a plethora of different types of experience throughout his career.

“I have military leadership experience. I have managed supplies and budgets for the Base Supply Center at Ft. Leonard Wood as a site supervisor managing a $5 million dollar budget,” John began. “I have been with the Maries County Sheriff’s Office for 11 years and Sheriff Heitman has been training me for the last four years for the position. I have experience working in every position in the office. I am currently managing and overseeing the budget and expenditures of the Sheriff’s Office in addition to being the primary grant writer.”

John is not the only candidate who has declared his intentions to run for Maries County Sheriff.

Mark Morgan, a former deputy, and current sergeant for the Belle Police Department, announced his campaign at the Belle Community Betterment Association Swap Meet & Extravaganza on June 10 at Belle City Park.

“I declared this past Saturday at the Swap Meet,” Morgan said. “It was my first event and my first fundraiser.”

Morgan said he believes his leadership experience, three tours in Iraq, and training in leadership and leading people make him a good fit for the sheriff’s department.

“I believe that we need a change in Maries County and I hope to be that change,” Morgan said. “I feel like I have the leadership to lead the sheriff’s office going into the future.”