When Lt. Col. V. Stuart Cook, sheriff of Hanover County, officially announced he would retire this year, the department he has molded so well continued to do just what is expected of a law enforcement agency: Serve and protect.

While there was already buzz about the 2011 election, the Sheriff’s Office, as it prepares for a change in command, has been taking care of business.

During his interview on July 13, Cook was straight to the point in terms of politics and his office: They don’t mix. Yes, it is an elected position, which obviously means the sheriff files and runs as a candidate. But how he operates is another story.

Cook said he isn’t a politician, he’s a police officer — always wanted to be, always has been. The fact that he didn’t consider himself a politician influenced his decision to accept the appointment in 1990. He said to became a police chief he would have to play politics — and it wasn’t something he wanted to do.

Lt. Col. David Hines, a 26-year veteran who was already employed by the Sheriff’s Office when Cook came on board, will step into the position in the fall. Cook has high praise for his second-in-command.

But what about 2011? Hines is expected to seek the office. Question is: Are others lining up for that race? And what about the incumbents? What will they do in terms of endorsements? Time will tell.

Etc.

+ Time to heal. A plea agreement reached on July 27 in last fall’s ax attack brings a close to another chapter in this tragedy. Now we can only hope that those involved can heal, both physically and emotionally. The court action brings resolution and a time to start anew.
+ The Rev. Donald Reid of Mechanicsville has been elected to his first four-year term on the Bluefield College Board of Trustees.