Berkeley County commission approves eight deputy selections from Jan. 10 eligibility list

The Berkeley County Deputy Sheriff Civil Service Commission approved the sheriff’s selections to fill eight deputy vacancies during its March 18 meeting, beginning a multiple‑vacancy appointment process under West Virginia Code and the commission’s rules.

Commissioner D. Scott Wilson read rankings from the Jan. 10, 2026 eligibility list and presented candidates to Sheriff Robert A. Blair for each vacancy. For each vacancy the sheriff selected a candidate from the top names presented and the commission voted to approve each selection by voice vote. The selections recorded in the minutes are: applicant #1 Kokatay for Vacancy 1; #4 Twyman for Vacancy 2; #5 Howard for Vacancy 3; #6 Roberts for Vacancy 4; #7 Sager for Vacancy 5; #12 McCurry for Vacancy 6; #18 Toledo for Vacancy 7; and #21 Ashton for Vacancy 8.

Commissioner Wilson summarized the selection method: under West Virginia law and the commission’s rules the sheriff is provided the names of the highest‑ranking candidates (three names per vacancy, expanded where ties occur) and makes a choice for each vacancy in sequence until vacancies are filled or the list is exhausted. The minutes record that tied scores required listing additional names for a given vacancy and that two applicants (Garner and Huff) were stricken from further consideration after being passed over three times, in accordance with W. Va. Code § 7‑14‑11.

President Dale Buck and Commissioners Stephen J. Vigh and D. Scott Wilson approved each motion; the minutes record unanimous voice votes. The minutes note a discrepancy earlier in the meeting about whether there were 10 or 8 vacancies; Sheriff Blair and his leadership confirmed eight vacancies would be filled at this time. The selections are contingent on usual pre‑employment clearances: polygraph, psychological exam and medical exam, per the minutes.

One name remained on the eligibility list at conclusion (applicant #13, spelled inconsistently in the record as “Kittelstad” and once as “Kittlestad”); Sheriff Blair requested that the name be stricken for cause. Commissioner Wilson explained the administrative procedure for striking a name: the Sheriff’s Office must submit a written request to the Civil Service Office stating the grounds. That request had not been received by the time of the meeting, and the item remains open until hires are complete or the list is exhausted.

This selection process will proceed with conditional offers and the required clearances; the commission’s minutes state that final appointment is contingent on successful completion of polygraph, psychological and medical exams. No appointment letters or start dates were recorded in the minutes.