Cheboygan County Sheriff Tim Cook is retiring after nearly 30 years in the department.
The news comes only a year after Cook’s predecessor Dale Clarmont also retired. Cook says that was always the plan, in order to pass the department to new hands.
“I mean these guys and gals are dedicated to the community," Cook said. "You can see that by the initiatives they take on that they’ve created themselves when it comes to doing things for the community.”
Cook’s last day in office will be Dec. 31. An election will take place in November. Cook says his undersheriff Josh Ginop will run for the position with his support.
"Josh continues to play a crucial role in providing exemplary law enforcement services and continued management and administrative duties when it comes to budgeting, strategic planning and overseeing all operations including, road patrol, corrections and search and rescue," Cook said in a press release. "With his experience and the knowledge he has gained he is the most qualified to lead the department into the future.”
Cook officially announced his candidacy late Wednesday night. Other Cheboygan residents have until April to declare their candidacy.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of Cheboygan County and I pledge to continue to serve with the same pride and professionalism that has proven so successful,"Ginop said.
Like his predecessor, Cook grew up in Cheboygan and graduated from Cheboygan Area High School.
He started his career in 1987 as a police officer in Fenton, south of Flint. In October 1996, he was hired into the Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Department.
Cook made his way through the ranks serving as a road patrol deputy, detective sergeant and detective lieutenant before being appointed as Clarmont's undersheriff in 2014.
Cook said he will remain active in the community and looks forward to relaxing more with his wife at their home in Cheboygan and getting outside when the weather is warmer.
“We raised our two kids here, they’re off on their own with their own families," Cook said. "The wife and I enjoy spending time in northern Michigan. We enjoy taking the camper to the campgrounds in the Upper Peninsula and throughout the state.”
