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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- After more than 30 years of service to the people of Wapello County, colleagues, friends and the community gathered at the Wapello County Law Center Wednesday to thank Sheriff Don Kirkendall for his dedication and service to southeast Iowa.

Sheriff Kirkendall has been leading the Wapello County Sheriff’s office since 1996. Kirkendall announced that he would not seek re-election just this past year.

Kirkendall has guided the sheriff’s office through many changes, including moving the department into the Wapello County Law Center, and improving the working relationship between the sheriff’s office and the Ottumwa Police Department.

As Sheriff Kirkendall told KTVO Wednesday, one of the biggest things he is going to miss, are the people that he worked with everyday.

"I am going to miss a lot of the staff here. You know I will miss interacting with them everyday. You know, by enlarge, whether it is the police department of the sheriff’s office, we are one large family and we really look out for each other; that part of it will really be a void,” said Sheriff Kirkendall.

As for what he is going to do in his free-time, Sheriff Kirkendall says he wants to spend more time with his wife and family, and also travel.

Chief Deputy Mark Miller will be sworn in Monday morning as acting sheriff. He is running unopposed for that seat in the general election.