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Former Sheriff Kim Cole, left, and Undersheriff Derrek Wilson.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — Recently retired Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole is seeking to return to the position he vacated less than two weeks ago. Cole and current Undersheriff and Acting Sheriff Derrek Wilson are the two candidates who will be interviewed by the Mason County Appointment Committee next month.
The three-member committee met Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Mason County Courthouse to review applications from 29 people seeking appointment to the position.
The committee consists of Probate Judge Jeffrey Nellis, Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand and Mason County Clerk Cheryl Kelly. Nellis serves as chairman of the committee.
During Thursday’s meeting, committee members indicated that most of the 29 applicants did not meet the qualifications they believed were necessary to serve as sheriff.
Members discussed two qualified applicants from outside Mason County, including one from Muskegon and another from Texas. Concerns were raised about the Muskegon applicant’s record of employment longevity. Committee members also emphasized the importance of having a sheriff who understands Mason County and has established relationships within the community.
“Continuity in the office is very important,” Nellis said. “Familiarity with the community is very important. The sheriff position, you can’t overstate how important that is to the community. The sheriff has to have local ties, leadership experience, (certification), community support, and continuity.”
Nellis said two applicants stood out from the others.
“From my point of view there are two people from within the office that check those boxes,” Nellis said. “I don’t see anyone else in the pile that would come close.”
Hand said she agreed with Nellis’ assessment.
The two candidates are Cole, who retired effective Oct. 31 after more than 41 years with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, and Wilson, who has served as undersheriff since 2018 and assumed the duties of acting sheriff following Cole’s retirement.
Cole announced his retirement in September while campaigning as the Republican candidate for Michigan’s 32nd Senate District. He lost the Nov. 3 general election to Democrat Rebecca Amidon.
Cole was first elected sheriff in 2012 and took office in January 2013. He was re-elected to a fourth term in November 2024. His current elected term would have continued through Dec. 31, 2028.
Prior to his retirement, Cole publicly endorsed Wilson as his successor, citing the importance of maintaining continuity within the department’s leadership.
Wilson has served with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office for more than two decades. He began his career as a reserve deputy and later worked in marine patrol and road patrol. He was promoted to sergeant in 2013, chief deputy in 2017 and undersheriff in 2018.
Interviews scheduled for Dec. 3
The committee has scheduled interviews with both candidates for Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Mason County Airport Terminal conference room.
Wilson is scheduled to be interviewed at 1 p.m., followed by Cole at 3 p.m.
The committee will reconvene Tuesday, Dec. 8, to deliberate and is expected to select the next sheriff.
Appointment process
Under Michigan Compiled Laws 168.209, the responsibility for filling a vacancy in the office of county sheriff rests with a three-member committee consisting of the presiding or senior probate judge, county clerk and prosecuting attorney.
The committee first met Sept. 24, selecting Nellis as chairman and Kelly as secretary.
The position was advertised beginning Oct. 5, with applications accepted through Oct. 30. Applicants were required to submit a cover letter, resume and three letters of reference. Law enforcement experience was listed as preferred.
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 sheriff’s 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.
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