District Attorney's investigator Rhett B. Burnett has been selected as the under sheriff for Cleveland County, Sheriff-elect Joe Lester announced Tuesday.
Burnett will replace Eddie Thomason who retired last month. He will begin his duties when Lester takes office Jan. 1.
"I used to work for Joe and we got along pretty well," Burnett said. "I think it will be fun. We work well together, and I think our personalities are a good mix."
Lester was director of public safety at the University of Oklahoma while Burnett worked for the department 1988-97.
Burnett said he left OU to work as an investigator in the Cleveland County District Attorney's Office in 1996 because it was a better paying job and not "because of any problem with Joe," he said.
Burnett ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in 2004.
"I felt there was a need for changes," Burnett said. "I would like to see more deputies on the street serving the public. I also would like to see the agency restructured to provide better services to all of Cleveland County.
"We are the third biggest county in the state and I would like to turn that (sheriff's department and jail) into a premiere agency. We have everything south of 89th Street and south and east of Lexington with all sorts of different needs."
Addressing those specific needs with specific trained officers is a great place to start, Burnett said.
Burnett agrees there is a need for a new county jail.
"There has been a need for a new jail for a long time and I think the manner in which the county commissioners are trying to accomplish this is a wise course of action," he said. "There are lots of people breaking laws and entered into the system and we have to have a place to put them. It will happen one way or another, (the new jail) and I would rather it happen without a property tax."
Lester appointed a five person interview board and they submitted five names for Lester to interview.
The committee included Moore developer Charles Thompson, representing Moore and South Oklahoma City; Waldo Blanton, representing Noble, Lexington and Slaughterville; Bill Tucker with Preferred Real Estate representing the Norman business committee; Lindsay Bailey representing the legal system and Robin Allen, president of the Norman Noon Rotary Club representing the civic clubs.
"All five candidates did extremely well according to the board," Lester said. "It was a difficult decision and I've been careful to look at the backgrounds of the candidates that submitted resumes. I have known all five for a number of years and have the utmost respect for all of them and it was important that I pick someone that would complement my management style.
"I'm very proud of Rhett Burnett and the impression that he made on the selection committee," Lester said. "He has a lot of respect form the legal community, not only from this county but across the state.
"He brings a number of years experience to the table and he will do a remarkable job," Lester added. "And I am going to empower him to be creative as we continue this current century.
"We've got a big issue coming up with the jail and once that is passed, the work of getting it built and the employees trained to operate that new facility."
Even though Burnett "loves working for (District Attorney) Greg Mashburn," he is looking forward to working for Lester again.
"I am loyal to him and will help him with the things he wants to change," Burnett said.
Burnett has two daughters, Chelsie and Scarlett, who live in Washington State. He and his wife Misty live in Norman with daughter Calysta.
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