Cuyahoga County: Reid selected as new county sheriff

CLEVELAND -- The Cuyahoga County Democratic Party picked Bedford City Manager Bob Reid to replace former Sheriff Gerald T. McFaul at its meeting Saturday morning.

Reid, 57, who served as Bedford's police chief before becoming city manager, should be sworn in as sheriff sometime early this week.

Only two candidates were nominated Saturday morning in the Cleveland Convention Center's Music Hall -- Reid and Cuyahoga Community College Police Chief Clayton Harris.

Reid received 280 votes from the 487 precinct committepersons eligible to vote while Harris received 206. There was one abstention.

A candidate needed 244 votes to win the election.

Former Sheriff Gerald T. McFaul resigned "for health reasons" April 1 but there were several allegations of wrongdoing laid at his door just before he resigned.

Following state law, Cuyhaoga County Common Pleas Administrative Judge Nancy McDonnell named Warrensville Heights Police Chief Frank Bova as interim sheriff until the party appointed a permanent replacement for McFaul.

Bova did not seek the permanent appointment and will return to Warrensville Heights when Reid is sworn in.

Reid has been Bedford's city manager for 10 years and previously was Bedford's police chief for 10 years. He has spent a total of 25 years in law enforcement.

Reid is a Mayfield High School graduate and also graduated from the FBI national academy.

Reid also served as Bedford's safety director so he has kept his law enforcement credentials up-to-date.

When McFaul, a former piperfitter, was first elected sheriff 32 years ago, there was no state law that required the county sheriff to have law enforcement experience.

McFaul's term expires Dec. 31, 2010. Reid will have to run in the May, 2010 Democratic primary if Harris or another Democrat also decides to run for sheriff.

The primary winner would run in November 2010 election.