Sandy MaloneColquitt, GA – Miller County residents re-elected popular Sheriff Scott Worsley on Tuesday, one week after he died of cancer, causing a dilemma over who will become the county’s top cop.
Sheriff Worsley died on Oct. 27 after a year-long battle with cancer, WALB reported.
The incumbent sheriff garnered 1,401, or 52 percent, of the votes in Miller County.
His opponent, Richard “Ric” Morgan, only got 1,297 votes, or 48 percent, according to WALB.
Miller County GA showed their love for my cousin tonight by re-electing posthumously Scott Worsley for Sheriff! ❤️ 🥰@GovKemp #MillerCountySheriff #MillerCountyGa #ColquittGa pic.twitter.com/j624oshRIn
— Tina Batson Boyett (@t_boyett) November 4, 2020
Attorneys for the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office said that in the absence of Sheriff Worsley, his opponent should automatically be declared the winner, WALB reported.
However, they also said they were going to refer the matter to the Miller County Attorney William H. Mills to make the final call.
Miller’s office hasn’t released any statement yet about what he planned to do, WALB reported.
Miller County Chief Deputy Sheriff Robert Grier will serve as interim sheriff until a determination is made about the election.
The late Sheriff Worsley was sworn into office in Miller County in 2017 after he defeated Robert Grier 811 to 630 votes in a special election runoff, WALB reported.
The Miller County sheriff that Sheriff Worsley replaced had been arrested by the FBI on stolen gun charges.
Former Miller County Sheriff Wesley Shane Rathel is charged with having sold or pawned several guns that he confiscated from a citizen temporarily in accordance with a court order, WALB reported.
Prior to becoming sheriff, Sheriff Worsley served as the Colquitt chief of police.
Holly Matkin
