Chief deputy will fill Dakota County sheriff vacancy

There will be a new sheriff in Dakota County next week.

County commissioners named Dave Bellows, the chief deputy and right-hand man of retiring Sheriff Don Gudmundson, as top county cop, starting Monday.

The move comes on the heels of Gudmundson's abrupt announcement this month that he would step down Feb. 28. He had previously said he would retire at the end of his term, which runs through 2010.

Although county officials billed Bellows' appointment as a practical matter, it has nonetheless generated political controversy.

Apple Valley Police Sgt. Mitch Scott, who is running against Bellows for sheriff this fall, accused the county board of being "kingmakers," setting up Bellows up for the November election.

"It gives the appearance and the perception that there's back-room politics going on," Scott said after the county board meeting.

The ballot won't specify who is the incumbent, but Scott said Bellows will have an advantage during the campaign because he can run with the title of sheriff. It would have been more appropriate to appoint someone who is not running for sheriff to serve in the interim, or just leave the position vacant, Scott said.

"We're already short-staffed in the sheriff's office," County Board Chairman Tom Egan said. An outside search for an interim sheriff "would take a substantial amount of time. It's estimated that we wouldn't be able to fill the office of sheriff until at least April or May."

Bellows thanked the county board for the appointment, saying he was "very appreciative of the confidence that you've shown" and the opportunity to follow Gudmundson, whom he described as "the best mentor in law enforcement in the state of Minnesota."

Bellows worked with Gudmundson at the Lakeville Police Department before coming to the sheriff's department in 1999. He has been chief deputy since 2000 and has been appearing at meetings and in public on behalf of the sheriff's office for months.

"When he told me he was going to leave office early, I was shocked," Bellows said. "I didn't expect it. I just wish him the best in his retirement, because he truly has deserved it."

Gudmundson, who was not at the meeting, has said he decided to step down because of personal and family commitments. His father died last year and he wants to help with the family farm in Fillmore County.

Such a move isn't unusual when a sheriff retires.

In March 2002, Anoka County commissioners appointed Bruce Andersohn, then chief deputy, to succeed retiring sheriff Larry Podany. Andersohn then won the post in the election later that year.

In April 2005, Washington County Commissioners appointed chief deputy Steve Pott to succeed retiring sheriff Jim Frank. Pott lost the 2006 election to current Washington County Sheriff Bill Hutton.

"This happens all the time," Scott said. "Normally it happens because the sheriff is stepping down to help the undersheriff or the chief deputy be elected in the upcoming election."

But Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord denied Scott's accusation that there is a political motive to the appointment.