The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department has parted ways with its undersheriff.

The department confirms to us that Kevin Conklin is no longer employed with it. Van Buren County Sheriff Dan Abbott has not yet announced Conklin’s replacement.

The department has not said why Conklin is no longer undersheriff. He started working for the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department in September of 2019 after previously serving as a detective sergeant with Michigan State Police. At the time, Sheriff Abbott said Conklin brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job. Plus, Abbott wanted someone with local roots and Conklin is a Decatur native.

Under state statute, the sheriff must appoint a new undersheriff.