New Carter County, Mo., sheriff sworn in

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Ted Reynolds, 51, of rural Van Buren was sworn in as the interim Carter County Sheriff at 9 a.m. Monday.

Reynolds, who has been the chief deputy sheriff for nearly eight years, was selected by the Carter County commissioners. Carter County Clerk Becky Gibbs conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

"I'm going to continue the late sheriff Melton's commitment to serving the citizens of Carter County. It is a great honor to finish his commitment," Reynolds said.

Reynolds retired from the U.S. Army after serving 20 years and moved to Carter County. He was a school resource officer before becoming Melton's chief deputy. He also spent three years (2001-2004) as a drug investigator under a Missouri Sheriff's Association Methamphetamine Eradication grant.

His experience includes two one-year tours of duty in Iraq as a police adviser. He also went to Iraq for 90 days to train staff members with civilian contractors.

Reynolds will serve as the interim sheriff through Dec. 31. He replaces Greg Melton, 47, of Grandin, Mo., who was found dead in his garage Thursday night. One shell had been expended from the sheriff's .357 magnum revolver, according to Carter County Coroner Dennis McSpadden.

Melton, a Democrat, had served as sheriff for nearly eight years. Visitation will begin at noon today in the East Carter County High School Gymnasium in Ellsinore, Mo., with the funeral service following at 2 p.m.

During an emergency meeting Friday night, the Carter County Commission met at Presiding Commissioner Gene Oakley's house to discuss how to proceed with selecting an interim sheriff. Oakley said the announcement would be made Monday morning.

"The commissioners feel we made a good choice for the job," Oakley said today.

Melton's name will remain on the Nov. 4 general election ballots because it is too late to remove it. His opponent is Republican Tommy Adams of Ellsinore. If Adams is elected, he will become the new sheriff on Jan. 1.