11/19/2009

WASHINGTON — The process of selecting a successor to Washington County Sheriff Bill Overbeck will take at least a month.
Overbeck, 58, died Tuesday at his home in Hanover of an illness.
Washington County Attorney Elizabeth Hiltgen said state statutes outline the process of succession, starting with the undersheriff, Traci Hattesohl, serving as interim sheriff until a successor is appointed.
The process of naming a new sheriff starts with the county clerk sending official notice of the vacancy to the county political party — in this case, the Washington County Republican Central Committee. After that, the county party chairman has 21 days to call a convention of the county’s precinct committee.
The committee then accepts nominations, and votes, sending its selection to the governor, who has seven days to ratify the decision and appoint a successor.
Overbeck’s funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hanover. Visitation is 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Sunday at the church, and rosary will be said at 6 p.m. Sunday.

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