ELYRIA, Ohio — The passing of the torch of leadership of the Lorain County Sheriff's Office began on Monday with the swearing in of Sheriff-elect Jack M. Hall as Major. Hall will officially replace the retiring Sheriff Phil Stammitti on Jan. 6, 2025.
"Effective today, Major Hall will be learning and acclimating himself to the future duties of Sheriff and meeting the employees at the office," Stammitti explained in a release, adding that Hall will be attending a mandatory three-week sheriff's school starting next month.
Hall, a Republican, defeated Democrat Rich Resendez in a tight race to succeed Stammitti earlier this month.
Stammitti, a Democrat, noted that Hall brings over 25 years of law enforcement experience to the position of Lorain County Sheriff. "I have known Major Hall since he was an Avon Lake Police Officer starting in 1993. He was also a member of the Lorain County Sheriff's Office Anti-Terrorism Task Force," Stammitti wrote.
The 74-year-old Stammitti was born and raised in Lorain, joining the city's police force in 1973 after serving four years in the Navy. After 13 years with the Lorain Police Department, Stammitti moved over to the Lorain County Sheriff's Office in 1986, where he would remain for the next 38 years. He was elected as sheriff for the first time in 2000.
