Sheriff David Duke told the Wichita County Commissioners Court on Aug. 19 that he has submitted a letter of retirement after 44 years and two months of county service, including 17 years as sheriff. The court received the letter and discussed next steps for filling the vacancy.

Why it matters: the commissioners said state law gives their court authority to appoint a successor who will serve until the next general election, making the court's choice the county’s interim top law-enforcement official and shaping who runs in the 2026 election.

Sheriff David Duke spoke to the court about his career and plans. “I’m looking forward to my next chapter in life,” Duke said, reflecting on his time in patrol, investigations and as sheriff. He told the court his chief deputy, William Rutledge, is qualified to lead the office and that he intends to support Rutledge’s possible candidacy.

County leaders reviewed the legal parameters for appointments under state law. The County Judge told the court that under the statute the Commissioners Court "must be a majority vote of the members who are present and voting" to appoint a replacement, and that any appointee would hold office only until the next general election. The judge also outlined the schedule the court followed in public comments: an appointment would hold until the November 2026 general election, with a primary to precede it in March 2026; the officeholder elected in 2026 would serve the remainder of the current four-year term through 2028.

Discussion and next steps: commissioners praised Duke’s tenure and the modernization of the sheriff’s office during his time, and the court said it is likely to place an agenda item next week to discuss and potentially make an appointment. No appointment vote was taken on Aug. 19. The court conducted a closed-session briefing on the appointment process under Texas law and returned to open session to summarize the process for the public.

Context and limitations: the court emphasized that the appointment is a court decision subject to a simple majority vote of members present and that the appointment will not extend beyond the next general election. Sheriff Duke confirmed he had filed a retirement letter; the court received and discussed that letter but did not take formal action to appoint a successor at this meeting.

The court adjourned after discussing the next steps and indicated the appointment item was likely to appear on the next meeting agenda.