Burke County Sheriff John McDevitt announced Friday his intention to withdraw his nomination for a U.S. Marshal position. He subsequently announced his bid for re-election.
McDevitt said his strong ties to Burke County was a major factor in his decision.
"Although I do consider the fact that I was nominated a great honor, I have also decided that I cannot put my family's life and the life of all my employees and their families on hold awaiting a decision by President Obama," McDevitt wrote in his announcement to the The News Herald.
This past summer, Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., recommended McDevitt for the U.S. Marshal in the Western District.
Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal in the Western District Kelly Nesbit and Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Middle District Charles Peeler also are recommended for the position.
The U.S. Marshal position covers 32 western North Carolina counties, McDevitt said, which would decrease his focus on Burke.
McDevitt said, "I have worked my entire adult life (34 years) in law enforcement in Burke County, this is my home, I have raised my children here and my passion is to work here."
McDevitt worked as a road deputy and detective from January 1976 to February 1982 at the Burke County Sheriff's Office. From February 1982 until December 1998, when he became sheriff, McDevitt was at the Morganton Department of Public Safety. He served as a public safety officer, detective, narcotics task force supervisor and criminal investigations supervisor.
"This is home," McDevitt said. "This is where my kids — all my kids — grew up, my wife, my whole family is here."
"My goal in writing this letter is to put all rumors to rest by declining the appointment to the marshal's position and to make everyone aware that I will be seeking re-election to the office of Sheriff next year," McDevitt wrote.
McDevitt said the sheriff's office has several programs that he'd like to see continued such as the community policing program, which he said has decreased the crime rate in established areas.
"I feel an obligation to the citizens of Burke County and the sheriff's office employees to continue the progress the sheriff's office has made during the past 11 years," McDevitt wrote.
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