FIRST ON CBS7: Midland County commissioners choose Richard Gillette as acting sheriff

The Midland County Sheriff's Office has a new acting sheriff.

In a meeting on Monday morning, Midland County commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of making Richard Gillette acting sheriff.

Commissioners Scott Ramsey, Robin Donnelly and Randy Prude voted for Gillette to take the role. Commissioner Luis Sanchez and County Judge Terry Johnson voted against the move.

The vote was met with groans throughout the meeting where more than a dozen people had just urged the commissioners to elect Chief Deputy Rory McKinney.

Many of the people who spoke said that McKinney should be left in charge since he was groomed by Sheriff Gary Painter to follow his legacy. Jennifer Painter, Gary's daughter, echoed that sentiment.

"Chief Deputy McKinney is his choice to be second-in-command. He (was) his choice to run the sheriff's office if anything happened. But yes, my father would be extremely disappointed," said Jennifer.

Gillette currently works as an investigator for the Midland County District Attorney's Office. He previously worked with the Midland County Sheriff's Office for 22 years.

"I'm going to continue Sheriff Painter's programs and keep the sheriff's office running smoothly and have it in as good a shape as I can get it for the new sheriff that will be elected next year," said Gillette.