Rutherford Commission names interim successor to jailed sheriff

The Rutherford County Commission voted, 11-0, Thursday to name Michael Fitzhugh as interim sheriff,  replacing elected Sheriff Robert Arnold, who is in jail awaiting trial on corruption charges.

Further from the Daily News Journal:

A former sheriff’s captain, Fitzhugh… beat out runner up Dale Armour, who got 10 votes in the final roll call. In previous roll call votes, former Deputy Chief Virgil Gammon dropped out of consideration after finishing third, and current Deputy Chief Keith Lowery dropped out after finishing fourth.

Fitzhugh said after the meeting that he intends to run for sheriff “if this job doesn’t kill me between now and 2018.”

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work,” Fitzhugh said. “I would like to continue. I would like to attract good people.”

Fitzhugh has 19 years experience with the sheriff’s office and 25 years in management with BellSouth.