COLUMBUS, Ohio — Delaware County Sheriff Russell Martin announced on Monday that he will be retiring after spending 43 years in law enforcement.
His retirement will be effective on April 17 after nearly 11 years as the sheriff in Delaware County.
Martin was appointed sheriff in June 2012 and elected in November that same year. He was re-elected in 2016 and 2020.
Prior to becoming sheriff, Martin worked his way up through the ranks of the City of Delaware’s Police Department, eventually appointed to Chief of Police. He served in that role for nearly eight years.
“Sheriff Russ Martin has been an outstanding leader in our community for decades and the integrity, commitment and compassion that he has brought to his work leading the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office has positioned that office for continued success in the future,” said Jeff Benton, President of the Delaware County Board of Commissioners. “While we are sad to lose him as a fellow elected official, Commissioners Barb Lewis and Gary Merrell and I wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life and thank Sheriff Martin for everything he has done for us and for Delaware County.”
The Delaware County Board of Commissioners will appoint an active sheriff upon Martin’s retirement. That person will serve until Martin’s vacated term ends on Dec. 31, 2024.
You can read Martin’s full statement about his retirement below.
What a joy and blessing it’s been to spend five decades in the noble profession of law enforcement. I cherish and respect the men and women who selflessly do this job.
Yet, for me, this season is ending. After careful deliberation and many conversations with my wife, family, trusted colleagues, friends, and mentors, I’m retiring from police work. April 17th, 2023 will be my last day serving as the Sheriff of Delaware County, Ohio.
This was a difficult decision because I love to protect and serve. But, on the other side of the badge, there’s much more I can do to help others. In recent years, I’ve started to do just that.
I draw energy from the courses I teach on ethics and law enforcement. I feel my soul lighten when I mentor men at my local church and through a national organization of Christian law enforcement leaders. And I see hope for the future as I serve as a member of the Board of Trustees at my beloved alma mater, Bowling Green State University.
While I’m relieved and grateful that the diagnosis of, and successful treatment for, cancer a few years ago has left me healthy and energetic, that experience was just another reminder that the family I love deserves more of my attention and time. Two wonderful adult children, two growing grandchildren, and my indescribably wonderful wife Jill are the foundation of my world.
When I started work as an emergency dispatcher while attending college full time in the 1970s, I was unaware that such an opportunity would be a doorway into decades of service as a Delaware, Ohio policer officer and then police chief. Leading that fine department would have been a career highlight, yet I was asked to take an appointment as county sheriff following difficult circumstances in that agency. When I accepted that daunting endeavor, my fellow citizens elected and re-elected me three times, humbling me on each occasion.
I know putting the uniform and badge away will be hard, but I do so fully confident that this is the right time. My colleagues have made the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the nation. I intend to maintain that high status by supporting one of my current Chief Deputies to be my successor. Chief Deputy Sheriff Jeff Balzer has had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. He’s also been a valuable partner with me over the last several years. The deputies and staff admire and respect him and law enforcement agencies throughout Central Ohio know him as an ethical and effective leader.
Whatever measure of success I’ve achieved in my career is due to the kindness and support by countless professionals who helped, advised, and guided me. These good people were generous with their time to help me, and I will continue to do my very best to help others in the same way. God’s plan for me isn’t over and Jill and I are excited to see where He leads us next.
