Former Kanawha County sheriff and current Chief Deputy Mike Rutherford plans to run again for sheriff, and his brother Johnny Rutherford, the current sheriff, does not plan to run again.
Mike Rutherford, who already has served two terms as sheriff, said he planned to file pre-candidacy papers Tuesday afternoon.
"I've been with the department a long time - about 38 years," he said, "and you know, I thoroughly enjoy the job, especially the people I work with. I think there's still a lot that I would be able to offer the citizens of the county (and) a few things more I'd like to get accomplished or at least shore up."
Sheriff Johnny Rutherford, who was elected in 2012, said this term will be his last term.
"I've always said that from the first day I decided to run for sheriff," he said.
Mike Rutherford, 63, was elected as sheriff of Kanawha County in 2004 and 2008. He hired his brother Johnny as his chief deputy. Sheriffs are prohibited by state law for running for a third consecutive term, so Mike Rutherford became chief deputy in January 2013, after his brother's election.
Mike Rutherford, a Democrat, listed two priorities he hopes to focus on a third term, in addition to "general law enforcement."
He wants to focus on drug crimes, which he mentioned are contributing to an increase in theft because of addicts who steal to support their habit.
"We're always looking for the dealers," he said. "Those are the major players in it. We're also looking into help for users. We're working closely with public and nonpublic agencies trying to help the ones that are abusing drugs, trying to get them off of them."
He also said he wants to maintain close relationships with local schools. That includes providing security trainings, school resource officers, deputy meetings with students and teachers, and increased enforcement against drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses.
"We've been able to keep things going at a good pace," he said. "The deputies are working hard and doing an excellent job. I just want to continue that progress for awhile."
Rutherford said whether it's time for the sheriff to have a new last name will be up to the voters to decide.
"I think I've worked very hard and did my best to help the citizens and I hope to continue to do that," he said. "I do believe this will probably be the last time I will run for any public office. I've been in law enforcement my entire life. It's been about 43 years. I think I still have some more that I can help our citizens with."
"Helping people" is exactly why Rutherford got into law enforcement, he said, whether that's returning stolen property or locking up drug dealers.
"I've got grandbabies now that I want to see grow up in a safe environment free of drugs and crime," he said. "I just want to try to leave my county in a better position when I leave."
The sheriff, who didn't know his brother had announced, said the sheriff's department had done "good work" over the last 12 years.
"I can only just say Mike's a good leader," he said. "He's been in law enforcement for a long time, either being sheriff or chief deputy. He's been helping lead the department for the last 12 years."
Mike Rutherford served as president of the West Virginia Sheriffs' Association in 2008. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and graduated first in his basic class from the West Virginia State Police Academy, according to a news release.
He also served more than two years with the St. Albans Police Department and three years as chief of the Kanawha County Parks Police Department, the release says.
The Kanawha Bureau of Investigation, a drug tipline, the day report center, drug court, online tax-paying and Graduation Prom Alive were all projects started during his tenure as sheriff, according to an email from his campaign.
The primary election is May 10, 2016, and the general election is Nov. 8, 2016.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.