The Kings County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Nov. 7 to rescind the prior appointment of Rick Bradford and confirm Dave Putnam as Kings County sheriff effective Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at 5 p.m., to serve the remainder of Sheriff Dave Robinson’s current term.

County Administrative Officer Carrie Martinez told the board that Sheriff Dave Robinson submitted a letter of resignation dated Aug. 6, 2025, stating the sheriff’s office position would be vacated effective Nov. 24, 2025. Martinez said the board previously appointed Rick Bradford on Sept. 23, 2025, but Bradford decided to retire from the county effective Nov. 9, creating the need to rescind that appointment and name a successor who could assume the office on Nov. 24.

The appointment resolution recommended the board rescind the Bradford appointment and appoint Dave Putnam, who Martinez said brings more than 35 years of sworn peace-officer experience and roughly 20 years of law-enforcement management experience. Martinez summarized Putnam’s Kings County service from Oct. 8, 1990, through his retirement on April 28, 2023, his interim service as Corcoran police chief from July 23, 2023, through Feb. 2, 2024, and his stint as chief district attorney investigator from December (year not specified in the transcript) through Sept. 12, 2025. Martinez also noted Putnam is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds multiple POST training certificates.

Sheriff Dave Robinson, who the CAO said will remain in office until Nov. 24, spoke briefly and endorsed Putnam. "In God we trust. The Lord works in mysterious ways sometimes," Robinson said, adding that Putnam was one of his first promotions and that he has been a mentor and trusted colleague.

Jonathan Brewster, president of the deputies’ association (DSA), addressed the board and urged support for Putnam, praising his leadership, focus on training, and commitment to deputies’ welfare. "He leads not through fear, but through trust and mutual respect that builds morale," Brewster said.

A board member moved to rescind the previous appointment of Rick Bradford and confirm Putnam; another supervisor seconded the motion. The clerk then called the roll: Joe Nieves, Richard Valley, Doug LeBoon, Rusty Robinson and Robert Daire all voted in favor. The motion passed 5-0.

The board recorded the effective date of the appointment as Nov. 24, 2025, at 5 p.m., and the action rescinded the prior Sept. 23 appointment of Rick Bradford. No amendments or additional conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes.

The meeting included brief congratulations and informal remarks before the board adjourned.