In a shocking turn of events Mineral County Sheriff Tom Bauer turned in his resignation Monday afternoon to Commissioner Chairman, Roman Zylawy.

“He just handed me his letter and walked out the door,” said Zylway who has no idea what prompted Sheriff Bauer to quit. “He was dressed in camouflage fatigues like he was going hunting when he left.”

A commissioners meeting was already scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 to discuss the Mineral County jail closure. A committee had been formed last week to make recommendations on what to do about the situation. The detention center was forced to close Nov. 3 due to the lack of staff. Two detention officers quit and one had been fired all within a few weeks of each other.

Instead of the first agenda item being a discussion about the jail, it turned to Undersheriff Mike Boone who agreed to step in as acting sheriff. He will remain as acting sheriff until a new sheriff can be elected. County Attorney Ellen Donohue explained to a packed room that interested parties had to file for the position in January 2018. Elections would then be held in November 2018 and the new sheriff would take office in January 2019.

Acting Sheriff Boone said he has not decided as to whether he will run in the election, “I will need to discuss it with my family,” he said. Boone has not spoken to Bauer and said he didn’t know why he had tendered his resignation.

The two detention officers who walked out earlier this month cited low pay and poor management as to why they quit. Detention officers make between $10 and $11 per hour plus benefits. Commissioners are scheduled to meet with union representatives later this month to discuss salaries.

Bauer did not attend the Monday evening meeting and was unavailable for further comment.