A new sheriff in town: Ruth Ann Dickerson takes over in interim role

Ruth Ann Dickerson took over as Cape Girardeau County sheriff Monday, becoming the first woman to serve in that position in the 218-year history of the department.

The county commission appointed Dickerson as interim sheriff after John Jordan formally tendered his resignation Monday morning.

She officially was sworn in at 1 p.m. Monday at the sheriff�s department in Jackson as fellow officers, friends and family looked on.

Jordan turned over his sheriff�s badge and keys

to Dickerson.

Resigning sheriff John Jordan takes a final look at his badge before turning it and his office keys over to interim Sheriff Ruth Ann Dickerson, right, Monday in Jackson.KASSI JACKSON

�I can�t think of a person who knows the office of sheriff more,� Jordan said.

Jordan announced a week ago he would resign as he expects to be confirmed soon by the U.S. Senate to a federal marshal post.

Dickerson has worked for the sheriff�s department for 35 years. As captain of business operations since 1995, Dickerson has been second in command at the sheriff�s department.

She is the 44th person to serve as sheriff, dating back to 1805.

Dickerson said she realizes �it is historical� for the county to have a female sheriff.

She said she is ready to be sheriff, adding her experience will allow her �to handle every aspect of the sheriff�s office.�

Jordan�s resignation allowed the county commission Monday to set a special election to fill Jordan�s unexpired term.

The special election will be held at the same time as the Nov. 6 general election. That will save the county the $80,000 expense of holding a special election outside of the November election, county officials said.

The timing is important because candidates for the November election must be certified by close of business Aug. 28, according to Jordan.

Dickerson will serve as interim sheriff until the November special election. But she added she is asking the county�s Republican Party Central Committee to nominate her as that party�s candidate for sheriff.

The winner of the special election will take office immediately and serve the remainder of the term that ends Dec. 31, 2020, county officials said.

During a ceremony at the sheriff�s department, Presiding Commissioner Clint Tracy thanked Jordan for his years of service as sheriff.

�I want to wish him all the luck in his next endeavor,� Tracy said. �He has done a great job.�

President Donald Trump nominated Jordan for the marshal post in April.

If confirmed, Jordan would become U.S. marshal for the federal Eastern District of Missouri.

Tracy said the commission appointed Dickerson to the interim sheriff position because of �her ability.� He added commissioners �couldn�t have found a better person� to fill the position.

Jordan gave credit to God, department officers and county officials for helping him succeed as sheriff.

Jordan has served as sheriff for more than 23 years, making him the longest serving sheriff in Cape Girardeau County history.

He began his law enforcement career in 1980 with the Bollinger County Sheriff�s Department, where he served for six years.

He joined the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff�s Department in 1986 and served as deputy investigator, sergeant and lieutenant before being elected sheriff in 1994.

Jordan began his career with the sheriff�s department under Sheriff Norman Copeland.

�He taught you how to do it right,� Jordan said.

Jordan said his greatest accomplishment is the jail never lost an inmate to suicide. He said he also was proud the department never lost a lawsuit filed by inmates.

�When you are keeping people in jail, you are going to be sued,� he said.

He said he was thankful he never had an officer killed in the line of duty.

Jordan, who described himself as a �country boy from Bollinger County,� said he was �very, very blessed� as sheriff.

He told those in attendance at the ceremony, �Godspeed. God bless you all.�

�We sure hate to see you go, John,� Dickerson said at the conclusion of the ceremony.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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