Circuit Judge Knox McMahon (right) swears in Capt. Dunstan Padgett last week as interim Sheriff while Padgett’s wife, Janice, looks on.
WINNSBORO – Gov. Nikki Haley appointed Capt. Dunstan Padgett on July 16 to the position of interim Fairfield County Sheriff. The appointment came a little more than 24 hours after Herman Young announced his retirement from the office after 22 years of service, citing declining health issues.
Padgett, 48, has been with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office since 1988. He has served in the narcotics division where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant, later becoming a Lieutenant and eventually Captain over Patrol. Padgett is also retired from the S.C. National Guard, having served in Kosovo in 2004 and Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008.
Filing for the special election to fill out the remaining two years of Young’s term opens Aug. 8 at noon and closes Aug. 18 at noon. A primary will be held Sept. 30, with a runoff, if necessary, to be held Oct. 4. The special election for Sheriff will be held Nov. 18.
“I’m going to miss being there,” Young, 72, told The Voice last week. “I had every intention of completing my term, but as things got worse I felt I should hang it up.”
