Lake County Sheriff Bill Barron will leave his office two and a half months before his term expires in order to take a job as a detective with the Polson police department, and the county commissioners will decide who will handle the role for the rest of the year.

Barron said his last day as Sheriff will be Oct. 15, and that although he regrets not being able to finish the year, the Polson police department really needed him to begin working as soon as possible.

"They had to fill that position right away. They would have liked to have filled it two weeks sooner, but they understood I needed some time to make the transition here," Barron said.

County commission Paddy Trusler said the commissioners have net yet received Barron's formal resignation letter, and as such, cannot begin the process of selecting his replacement until Lucky Larson takes office next year. Larson won the primary election earlier this summer, and will be uncontested on the November ballot.

Barron said he could technically remain sheriff through the end of the year and simultaneously work for the Polson police department, but in doing so, he would create liability for the city of Polson for anything he does while he is sheriff. As such, he decided to step down, he said.

"It's hard to throw in the towel before the end of the year. I'm not a quitter, but the bottom line is that is the way it went," he said.

Barron said taking the job with the Polson police department will allow him to remain in law enforcement and the community, two things he desired after his bid for re-election fell through.

"I want to remain in this area and I want to be in law enforcement. I've always tried to keep doors open, and I can honestly see myself really liking this job," Barron said. "The sheriff's door is closed, but that has opened other doors for me."

He said he feels like he's leaving on a good note, and doesn't think leaving early will reflect poorly on him. He said he feels good about how he's run the office since being elected two terms ago.

"We've made so many little improvements. The Lake County Sheriff's office is highly thought of among law enforcement agencies throughout the state," he said.

He cited his election to head the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association as proof of that, although he declined the position once he found out he wasn't re-elected.

Barron cited the turnaround in the management of the county jail, a tougher stance on domestic abuse and drug abuse and arrests, and an increase in the number of deputies and the reserve program as his best accomplishments in office. He said the handling of the Anne Sluti abduction case was one of the highlights of his work here, too, when deputies were able to secure her release from a hostage situation several years ago.

Barron said he has been working hard to ensure Larson has a smooth transition into the job.

"I'm doing everything I can to ensure a smooth transition. I've tried to include Lucky in all aspects of my job, including budgeting, so that he's ready to take over," Barron said. "I'd encourage everyone in the county to support Lucky in this role."

Trusler said the county commissioners will weigh having Larson take over early, but that they understood he is focusing on taking some courses to ensure he is prepared for all aspects of the job, and that they don't want the job responsibilities to interfere with his continuing education.

"We can broach the issue with Lucky and say 'How do you feel about this?' but right now the issue is still up in the air," Trusler said, and the commissioners won't begin planning the transition until they have Barron's formal resignation.

Barron said he's leaving with no regrets. The voters have spoken, and he said being sheriff of Lake County was the highlight of his life. But he feels a calling to continue in law enforcement, and the Polson job was the right fit at the right time.

"It's like a priest being called to the church. You take ownership in it. It consumed my life. But I think I can leave office with the feeling that I made a difference," he said.