Shelby County ‘most senior Ohio sheriff’ ends 54-year career

Once the youngest Sheriff in Ohio at the age of 25, John Lenhart has the distinction of now being what he refers to as the “most senior Ohio Sheriff” at 74.

Lenhart announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in 2020, but says the word “retiring” is not in his vocabulary.

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His years as sheriff were divided by serving as Superintendent on the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification, and two years as Director of Law Enforcement under the Ohio Attorney General.

Lenhart will be ending a 54-year career in law enforcement after eight terms as Shelby County Sheriff.