CLEVELAND, Ohio – After just eight months on the job, Cuyahoga County Interim Sheriff Steven Hammett gave his two weeks’ notice on Monday.
Hammett’s last day will be Feb. 17.
“It truly has been an honor to serve in this role,” Hammett said in a news release from the county.
The announcement came three days after Hammett talked with Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne.
A county spokesman confirmed the two had a meeting Thursday afternoon, but did not say what they discussed. However, Hammett gave no indication, Monday, if their interaction was negative or influenced his decision.
“We have made significant progress these last several months, and I firmly believe that will continue under this new administration,” Hammett said in the news release. “Cuyahoga County is heading in the right direction under Executive Ronayne.”
Ronayne said he will appoint someone in the next two weeks to take over as interim sheriff, while “a comprehensive search is conducted to permanently fill the position.”
“I want to personally thank Sheriff Hammett for his dedication and service to Cuyahoga County and its residents,” Ronayne said.
Hammett first announced his abrupt departure internally, in a memo shared with county staff. He did not provide a reason for his decision, other than to say it came “after much contemplation,” according to a copy obtained by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your dedication and professionalism during my tenure,” he wrote to staff. “It has truly been an honor to serve you all.”
Hammett was sworn into the role in May. He has been with the department since September 2021, previously serving as captain, and has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience.
The resignation also came one day after cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer published a story outlining Ronayne’s plans for the jail and county at large, in which he said he would be making a recommendation in coming weeks for who should fill the sheriff’s role permanently.
It also follows internal tensions after the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association called for Hammett to be placed on administrative leave while he receives a fitness for duty exam, after a fall in the jail. He was touring the jail with Ronayne when he appeared to lose consciousness and collapse. Hammett said at the time that he was feeling unwell but that he had recovered and was “fine.”
Though interim, Hammett is the sixth person to leave the role in 10 years. He follows Bob Reid, who resigned in 2013, Frank Bova, who was moved to a different county position in 2015, Cliff Pinkney, who retired in 2019, David Schilling, who retired in 2020, and Christopher Viland, who resigned in 2022.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley equated the turnover to a game of musical chairs. He was part of the group who made the sheriff an appointed position as part of the charter reform, but now he advocates to return it to an elected position.
“I don’t know how much more evidence they need to demonstrate the current structure is not working,” O’Malley said, urging county council to act. “The results speak for themselves.”
Council President Pernel Jones, Jr., declined to give an opinion on electing the sheriff Monday. He said Ronayne will take steps to name a successor.
“I was saddened by it,” Jones said of Hammett’s resignation. “I believe he did a good job.”
O’Malley said he also met with Hammett on Thursday for a routine meeting to discuss court security, staffing and other jail issues, but he said Hammett gave no indication, then, that he was thinking of leaving. Regardless of the reason, O’Malley said the constant turnover in the sheriff’s seat is hurting the department and needs to be stopped.
“We need stable, accountable leadership to bring about change,” O’Malley said. “This is not that.”
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