Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas Announces Retirement

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas announced Thursday that he will retire Aug. 1, attributing his decision to problems with his health.

"I have struggled with some medical issues for more than a year now and it is time to do what is best for my family and my health," Freitas said in a statement.

Freitas, 54, has served with the sheriff's office since 1991. He is a 32-year veteran of law enforcement, beginning in 1985 with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. He went on to work for the Novato Police Department before joining the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

He began his first term as Sonoma County sheriff-coroner in 2010 and was re-elected to a second term in 2014.

"It has been a privilege to be the sheriff for the past six and a half years and to have worked at the sheriff’s office for so long," Freitas said. "I will always love the sheriff’s office and I’m proud of the work they do for the people of Sonoma County ... My best wishes and prayers go out to everyone at the sheriff’s office, the county, all the agencies we work with and the people of Sonoma County."

Freitas said he has recommended the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors appoint Assistant Sheriff Rob Giordano as interim sheriff.

"Rob is absolutely the best person for the job until the public elects a new sheriff next year," Freitas said. "He has committed to not run for sheriff in the upcoming election, so his appointment should have no effect on the people’s vote for the next sheriff. I have complete confidence in Rob, his abilities and his temperament to be the sheriff."

Six candidates, two of them sheriff's office employees, had already announced before Freitas' early retirement announcement that they are interested in running for sheriff in Sonoma County.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Image via Sonoma County Sheriff's Office