MADRAS, OR -- Jefferson County Sheriff Marc Heckathorn will step down a full six months before the end of his term. In a letter to staff, he says he’s signed a separation agreement with the county. His last day as Sheriff is June 20, but he will take vacation days leading up to that date; it’s unclear how many.

County Commissioners are expected to appoint an interim Sheriff at their meeting next Wednesday. Heckathorn says he assumes they’ll select Jason Pollock, who beat him in the May election but wasn’t slated to take office until January. 

Heckathorn has worked in law enforcement since 1996, the last 23 years at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.