Citing medical concerns, Steve Freitas has resigned as the Sonoma County Sheriff.
“I am announcing my retirement as the Sheriff of Sonoma County effective August one,” he said in a statement released today. “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, who served six and a half years in the post, said he has asked the Board of Supervisors to appoint Assistant Sheriff Rob Giordano as the new Sheriff.
“Rob is absolutely the best person for the job until the public elects a new Sheriff next year,” Freitas said.
Giordano 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, Freitas said. “I have complete confidence in Rob, his abilities and his temperament to be the Sheriff.”
Freitas began his 31-year career in law enforcement with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. After three years, he joined the Novato Police Department before coming to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office in 1991.
In July of 2005, he was selected as the Windsor Chief of Police until his appointment to Law Enforcement Division Assistant Sheriff in July of 2010.
Freitas was elected Sheriff-Coroner on January 3, 2011 and was re-elected for a second term beginning January, 2015.
“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,” he said. “I will always love the Sheriff’s Office and I’m proud of the work they do for the people of Sonoma County.”
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