UPDATE 4/18/12: Read the full story here
MIDDLEBURY — The Addison County Sheriff’s Department announced this morning that Sheriff James B. Coons died Monday night at his home in Middlebury. He succumbed to cancer.
Coons had been sheriff in Addison County for 31 years and was serving as vice president of the Vermont Sheriffs’ Association. Sheriff Coons was responsible for many innovations within the department and credited with helping to professionalize Vermont’s sheriffs.
High Bailiff Donald M. Keeler Jr. assumed the duties of sheriff at a swearing-in Tuesday morning at the county jail in Middlebury. Sheriff Keeler has been a deputy with the Addison County Sheriff’s Department for over 40 years and has been a law enforcement officer for 45 years.
“Jim Coons was like a brother to me and I’ll miss him tremendously,” Keeler said.
He went on to state that as long as he is sheriff he will attempt to continue the forward thinking that made Sheriff Coons so successful.
Addison County Sheriff’s Department and Vermont Sheriffs’ Association will pass along the details of services when they are available.