For those who have not heard, Virginia Beach Sheriff Ken Stolle is stepping down for health reasons at the end of the month. The rules/law call for the highest ranking Officer in the Sheriff’s Department to take his place until the next election. That person is District 1 City Councilman Rocky Holcomb. Chief Deputy Holcomb has served the Sheriff’s Office since 1991 and, prior to his promotion to chief deputy in May 2018, served as captain of the Criminal Intelligence Unit and Classification Division.

So, what’s that mean to you? Currently, the City Council appoints a successor to fill out the unexpired term of an empty Council seat. However, given that we are now on a District system, Council is discussing if that is the best way to handle this, or whether a Special Election for people in District 1 to vote for a successor is called for. Stay tuned, this could get interesting.