The Texas County Commission this morning named a former detective with the Texas County Sheriff’s Department the interim sheriff of Texas County.
Rowdy Douglas was sworn in during a short ceremony shorty after 10:30 a.m. by Texas County Associate Circuit Judge Doug Gaston. Douglas was accompanied by his wife, Veronica, and daughter, Reagan, who held the Bible for the swearing in.
The oath was administered just over an hour after James Sigman made his first court appearance after being indicted by a Texas County grand jury last week on six felony and two misdemeanor charges. Coroner Marie Lasater served as acting sheriff beginning last Wednesday night.
Douglas was appointed to the post after the county’s legal counsel confirmed a vacancy in the office of Texas County sheriff. Texas County Presiding Commissioner Fred Stenger said commissioners had received legal advice from several, and it came to its conclusion Monday. A written opinion was issued to the commission at about 11:15 a.m. Monday that confirmed the sheriff’s officeholder job was vacant.
Since last week, the commission has visited with possible candidates.
Texas County will hold a special election in November to elect a sheriff. Members of the executive committee of the county’s two political parties will select a nominee whose name will appear on the ballot. By state statute the candidates must be determined by Sept. 14. The county has been in consultation with the secretary of state’s office. Sigman was elected to a term that expired Dec. 31, 2020.
Douglas does not plan to seek the office of sheriff.
In addition to the charges heard Tuesday in court, Sigman also is the subject of a move by a special prosecutor Friday to oust him because he is unable to perform the responsibilities of his office. Circuit Judge John Beger approved the request, and Sigman had 10 days to appeal from Friday.
The director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety immediately suspended Sigman’s license late last week and he has five days to appeal from the time of the decision.
A veteran of the department, Douglas became the agency’s detective in 2016. On Jan. 11, 2018, he left the department to become the Houston Parks and Recreation director. He told the city he was leaving the spot late last week to return to the sheriff’s department.