Interim Cuyahoga County Sheriff Hammett Resigns Less Than A Year Into Tenure!

FEATURED PHOTO: OUTGOING CUYAHOGA COUNTY SHERIFF STEVE HAMMETT

News5Cleveland.com, By Ian Cross, Posted February 22nd 2023

Less than a year after being named Interim Sheriff of Cuyahoga County, Steven Hammett submitted his resignation, effective last, Feb. 17.

“Please be advised that after much contemplation, I have decided to resign from the position as Sheriff of this agency,” Hammett wrote in a departmental notice submitted Monday. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank each off [sic] you for your dedication and professionalism during my tenure. It has truly been an honor to serve you all.”

Hammett was named interim sheriff of Cuyahoga County on May 23, 2022 after joining the sheriff’s department on Sept. 27, 2021 as a captain.

Prior to joining the county sheriff’s office, Hammett served as the Chief of Police for University Heights and Deputy Chief of Police for the City of Shaker Heights, according to a news release sent last year when he was named interim sheriff.

Cuyahoga County has gone through multiple sheriffs since 2019.

Clifford Pickney served as sheriff from 2015 until 2019 when he resigned. He was replaced by David Schilling, who served just over a year before retiring.

Following that, Cuyahoga County County Executive Armond Budish appointed Joseph Greiner, a lieutenant with the sheriff’s office, to serve as interim sheriff.

Viland was then tapped by Budish in January 2021 to become sheriff.

Hammett took over as interim sheriff when Viland resigned in April 2022.

Hammett will serve as sheriff until Feb. 17.

A county spokesperson said another interim sheriff is likely to be appointed until a permanent replacement is found.