Studnicka to retire as Scott Co. Sheriff

Scott County Sheriff Kevin Studnicka is planning to retire in May, and the Scott County Board of Commissioners will decide Tuesday, Feb. 16, whether to appoint Chief Deputy Luke Hennen as his successor. 

Studnicka was elected sheriff in 2006, and was reelected in 2010 and 2014. His current term expires at the end of 2018. Hennen, or whoever else the board names to the position, would serve the remainder of Studnicka’s term and would face reelection in November, 2018. 

Studnicka, who will have worked for the county for nearly 25 years and law enforcement for 30 years when he retires, met with individual board members over the last few weeks to discuss his planned retirement. He has recommended that Hennen be named as his successor. 

A resolution naming Hennen as sheriff is on the agenda for the February 16 meeting of the county board. 

Minnesota statute requires the county board to appoint a successor to fill the remainder of the term - there is no provision in the law for a special election. The law also allows for the Chief Deputy to act as sheriff if there is a vacancy in the office and the board has not named a replacement. 

Hennen, a native of Jordan, joined the Sheriff’s office in 1998 and was named chief deputy on December 31, 2015. 

Read more in the February 18, 2016, print edition of The New Prague Times.