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Mason County Undersheriff Derrek Wilson
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — Mason County Undersheriff Derrek Wilson has assumed the duties of acting sheriff following the retirement of Sheriff Kim Cole, effective Saturday, Oct. 31.
Under Michigan law, when a vacancy occurs in the office of sheriff, the undersheriff is authorized to perform the duties of the sheriff until a successor is selected and qualified to take office.
Michigan Compiled Laws 51.72 states: “If a vacancy occurs in the office of sheriff of a county, the undersheriff of the county shall in all things execute the office of sheriff, until a sheriff is elected and qualified.”
The law provides for continuity in the operation of a sheriff’s office when an elected sheriff leaves office before completing a term.
Wilson, who has served as undersheriff since 2018, will continue performing the duties of sheriff while a three-member committee works to appoint Cole’s successor.
Wilson is seeking appointment to the position and has received Cole’s endorsement.
Appointment process
Under Michigan Compiled Laws 168.209, the responsibility for appointing a replacement sheriff rests with a three-member committee consisting of the presiding or senior probate judge, county clerk and prosecuting attorney.
In Mason County, the committee consists of Probate Judge Jeffrey Nellis, County Clerk Cheryl Kelly and Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand.
The committee first met Thursday, Sept. 24, selecting Nellis as chairman and Kelly as secretary.
At that meeting, Nellis outlined a selection process that included advertising the vacancy, accepting applications, reviewing candidates and conducting interviews.
The position was advertised beginning Oct. 5, with applications accepted through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. The committee is scheduled to meet again on Monday, Nov. 18 at 8 a.m. at the Mason County Courthouse’s meeting.
Applicants were asked to submit a cover letter, resume and three letters of reference. Law enforcement experience was listed as preferred.
The committee previously indicated it would spend approximately two weeks reviewing applications before narrowing the field to finalists, with the goal of conducting interviews in early December.
Michigan law does not specifically require the committee to advertise the position, accept applications or conduct interviews. Those procedures were established by the committee.
Under MCL 168.209, the person appointed must take the constitutional oath of office and provide the bond required by law.
The appointment will fill the remainder of Cole’s current four-year term, which expires Dec. 31, 2028. The position will be on the ballot in the November 2028 general election.
Until a successor is appointed and qualified to take office, Wilson will continue performing the sheriff’s duties under the authority provided by MCL 51.72.
Wilson seeks appointment
Wilson has served with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office for more than two decades, including the past eight years as undersheriff.
He began his career as a reserve deputy and later worked in the Marine Patrol Division before becoming a full-time road patrol deputy. He was promoted to sergeant in 2013, chief deputy in September 2017 and undersheriff in 2018.
In a September interview with Mason County Press, Wilson said becoming sheriff was not part of his original career plan.
“It was never in my plan,” Wilson said. “I got into law enforcement because of my dad.”
Wilson’s father, Dennis Wilson, was an Oceana County sheriff’s deputy who spent the last 17 years of his career as a detective. Dennis Wilson died in 2010 at age 59.
Wilson said his interest in becoming sheriff developed as his career progressed, particularly through his involvement in department leadership and programs such as school safety initiatives.
Cole has publicly endorsed Wilson as his successor, citing the importance of maintaining continuity within the department’s leadership.
Wilson said that, if appointed, he would continue building upon the programs and direction established during Cole’s administration while developing his own leadership approach.
Wilson said his goal is to ensure the sheriff’s office continues to evolve and improve its services to the community.
Former Mason County Sheriff, Kim Cole
Cole retires after 41 years
Cole retired after more than 41 years with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, including nearly 14 years as the county’s elected sheriff. His last day in office was Friday, Oct. 30.
Cole, 62, a Pere Marquette Township resident, began his law enforcement career Jan. 1, 1985, as a member of the Mason County Sheriff’s Reserves. He was hired as a marine patrol deputy June 20, 1985, and became a road patrol deputy Sept. 19, 1985.
During his career, he served in several capacities within the department, including road patrol, corrections, marine patrol, dispatch and the tactical team. He also served as a DARE officer and held the ranks of deputy, sergeant and undersheriff.
Cole was first elected sheriff in November 2012 and took office in January 2013. He was re-elected three times, most recently in November 2024.
A fifth-generation Mason County resident, Cole graduated from Ludington High School in 1982 and West Shore Community College in 1984. His great-great-grandfather, Henry C. Cole, served as Mason County sheriff from 1899 to 1902.
During Cole’s administration, the sheriff’s office added three School Resource Deputies, upgraded its marine patrol boats, strengthened its dive team and Emergency Response Team, added a K-9 to the corrections staff, increased road patrol staffing by four deputies and established a drone program.
In his September retirement announcement, Cole expressed gratitude for his career in law enforcement and said the decision would allow him to spend more time with his family, including his wife, Gina, their two adult children and four grandchildren.
Cole’s retirement also comes as he seeks election to the Michigan Senate. He is the Republican nominee for the 32nd Senate District in Tuesday’s general election, Nov. 3.
The district includes Benzie, Mason and Oceana counties and portions of Manistee and Muskegon counties.
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