AKRON, Ohio — Summit County officially has a new top prosecutor for the first time in more than two decades.
Elliot Kolkovich was sworn in as county prosecutor on Friday just two days after the Summit County Democratic Party's Central Committee chose him as the replacement for Sherri Bevan Walsh, who retired last week prior to the end of her fourth term in office. Kolkovich will now serve out the remainder of Walsh's term, which concludes at the end of this year.
"The past 44 hours as Summit County Prosecutor have been the most exciting, challenging, humbling, and rewarding moments of my career and I can't wait to get back to work," Kolkovich said after taking the oath.
Kolkovich, a graduate of both the University of Illinois and the Saint Louis University School of Law, brings a wealth of experience to the office. Following a brief stint as a journalist and U.S. Congressional intern, he moved to Ohio after earning his law degree and interned for both the Summit County Prosecutor's Office and the Ohio Attorney General's Office. He then spent the better part of more than a decade working in both Summit County's Juvenile and Criminal Felony Division, along with an eight-month tenure as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
In May of last year, Kolkovich returned to Summit County to serve as community outreach prosecutor. He became acting prosecutor upon his appointment by the central committee before officially being sworn in on Friday.
First elected in 2000, Walsh is the longest-serving prosecutor in Summit County history, staying in the position from January of 2001 until Feb. 16 of this year. She previously announced her intention to step down in January, citing health problems.
"I am so proud of Elliot and his dedication and passion for Summit County," Walsh, who administered the oath of office to Kolkovich, said of her replace. "I would not have retired when I did if not for knowing that Elliot will continue the fight for justice, supporting victims of crime, and making Summit County a better and safer place to live."
If he wants to stay in the position, Kolkovich will have to win a full term this November. He has filed to run in the election, with his Republican opponent being defense attorney John W. Greven.
