WALLACE – The Shoshone County commissioners formally accepted the resignation of former Sheriff William Eddy during a special meeting on Tuesday afternoon, officially starting the clock for the Shoshone County Democratic Central Committee’s search for his replacement. 

Eddy was appointed by the commissioners to lead the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 18, 2025. His resignation, which he said was due to medical reasons, came just 101 days later. 

During the brief meeting, all three commissioners acknowledged they had read Eddy’s letter before Commissioner Melissa Cowles made a motion to accept it. 

SCDCC Chairperson Dinnah Fields-Brown also attended the meeting and asked the commissioners for clarification on the appointment rules, specifically the timeline. 

According to Idaho Code, the SCDCC has 15 days — until 5 p.m. March 18 — to submit an unranked list of three qualified candidates to the board for consideration. 

“Our goal is to figure out how to stabilize (the SCSO) before we do more damage,” Commissioner Dave Dose said. 

After the meeting, Fields-Brown discussed the committee’s plans for selecting Eddy’s replacement. The process will include establishing a timeline for gathering résumés and letters of support, followed by a special meeting to determine the three candidates. 

“We all want to work toward a solution that’s going to help the sheriff’s department heal and recover and help our community be as strong as it can be,” Fields-Brown said. 

She also addressed a widely circulated misconception that because the last elected sheriff was a Democrat, the candidates for the position must also be Democrats. 

Anyone interested in submitting themselves as a candidate must appear before the SCDCC for selection, but Fields-Brown emphasized that partisan politics would not strictly govern their choice. 

Fields-Brown also said she would not oppose a change in state law removing sheriff as a partisan office. 

“It doesn’t serve any of us at all,” she said. 

The SCDCC has 15 days to submit its list of candidates to the commissioners. Once the list is submitted, the commissioners have 15 days to make a selection. If they cannot reach a decision, the choice reverts to the SCDCC for another 15-day window. If the committee also fails to decide, Idaho Gov. Brad Little would make the appointment and may choose any candidate he wishes. 

Interested applicants should include any certifications or specialized law enforcement training. Résumés and letters of intent may be sent to [email protected].