ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 29, 1995 TAG: 9512290062
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
Michael J. Cox, an investigator with the Christiansburg Police Department, will be Montgomery County's new chief deputy under Sheriff-elect Doug Marrs.
Marrs made the appointment public Thursday, after weeks of speculation that Cox would receive the appointment. Cox currently works as a sergeant under Marrs, who is lieutenant of investigations for Christiansburg. Marrs becomes Sheriff Jan. 1.
Chief deputies are the second in command at sheriff's offices. They help the sheriff run the office, have input in setting and implementing policies, and are in charge in the sheriff's absence.
Cox has 13 years experience in law enforcement. He is certified as a general instructor for state law enforcement training academies and has an associate degree from New River Community College.
"I hired the most qualified person for that job," Marrs said Thursday afternoon.
Marrs also hired Neal Turner as administrative lieutenant. Turner has been the safety director for Marshall Concrete Products. He also has worked as supervisor of transportation for Montgomery County schools and as a deputy sheriff. In 1991, he was one of three candidates for the Republican nomination to run for Circuit Court clerk in Montgomery County. He has previously run for Christiansburg Town Council.
As Marrs' administrative lieutenant, Turner will oversee training, grants, the DARE and Neighborhood Watch programs.
On Wednesday, current Chief Deputy Dan Haga and Captain of Law Enforcement O.P. Ramsey learned they would not have jobs in Marrs' administration.
Marrs, who conducted interviews last week, said Thursday there are a handful of current employees he still has to notify about their job status. As of 3 p.m. Thursday, he said Haga and Ramsey were the only people who had been notified they would not be reappointed. He did not want to comment on why he declined to keep them. He also declined to comment on the status of three employees hired this week by retiring Sheriff Ken Phipps.
Tommy Whitt, who came in second in a field of five candidates for the Democratic nomination to run for sheriff, will remain lieutenant of patrol and George Keyes will stay on as administrator of the jail.
Marrs said he will have more to say about the organization of the Sheriff's Office and his plans after he meets with his staff once he takes office next week.
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