McLean County Chief deputy named
By STU MERRY
Veteran McLean County Deputy Richard Johnson has been named the county’s new chief deputy sheriff.
Johnson’s promotion was announced at the Dec. 2 meeting of the McLean County Commission by Sheriff-elect JR Kerzmann. Kerzmann has been chief deputy sheriff.
States Attorney Ladd Erickson backs the choice.
"He’s our go-to person," he told the commission. "We depend on him and we can depend on him … there are a lot of happy people upstairs (in the courthouse)."
Johnson is a lifelong resident of McLean County. He graduated from Washburn High School, receiving an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Bismarck State College.
Johnson has been with the McLean County Sheriff’s Department for 29 years, serving under sheriffs Arlin Thompson and Don Charging. Presently, he is a Lieutenant for the department, the county’s emergency manager, and its E-911 coordinator.
