Morgan County's law enforcement leadership has seen a transition, with former Chief Deputy Rick Hamby stepping up to fill the role of sheriff following the death of his predecessor, Wayne Potter, who lost his battle with cancer on February 18, as reported by The Mountain Press. Hamby's long tenure with the Morgan County Sheriff's Office culminated when the Morgan County Commission confirmed his appointment Monday night. The responsibilities of sheriff had been Hamby's since Potter passed, and the move solidifies his position through what would have been the remainder of Potter's term.
Hamby, who served as the MCSO's chief deputy prior to the appointment, has been a fixture at the office for many years and his promotion to sheriff comes after Potter, who held the position since 2018 and being reelected in 2022, succumbed to a cancer that had started in his pancreas and moved to his liver, a diagnosis he announced in May 2024 and despite his illness, he continued to serve his term, with Hamby often stepping up to support during his battle, according to WVLT.
Mourning the loss of Sheriff Potter, the community recalled a man who was not only a law enforcement figure but also a family man, esteemed for his dedication to service and protection; the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office shared its congratulations to Sheriff Hamby via social media, acknowledging his years of service and conveying well-wishes for his continued leadership, as WATE reported.
Looking forward, Sheriff Hamby's appointment signifies a period of continuity for Morgan County's law enforcement, Hamby is expected to carry on Potter's legacy while also bringing his own experience to bear in a role that he has been preparing for through years of service, and through difficult circumstance of an office in mourning this continuity could be exactly what the community and the sheriff's office need at this juncture, which is a testament to the confidence placed in him by the commission and the public he serves.
