News Photo by Julie Riddle Alpena County Sheriff Steven Kieliszewski at the sheriff’s office on Monday announces his plans to retire, effective May 20.

ALPENA – Alpena County Sheriff Steven Kieliszewski will work his last day as sheriff on May 20, he announced on Monday.

Kieliszewski at a Monday press conference shared his plan to retire after 34 years with the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office.

A committee consisting of Alpena County Probate Judge Alan Curtis, Alpena County Clerk Keri Bertrand, and Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski will appoint someone to fill the remainder of Kieliszewski’s term.

Kieliszewski was unsure of the timing of that decision or how the committee will solicit names for consideration.

The appointee, should he or she wish to retain the office, will have to run in the 2024 election.

Alpena County Undersheriff Erik Smith announced at the press conference that he intends to submit his name for consideration for the appointment to the committee.

Kieliszewski said he would support the appointment of Smith to the sheriff position.

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Given the difficulty many police agencies have had in recent years finding people interested in law enforcement careers, Kieliszewski said, he anticipates not many people will show interest in the sheriff position.

Until Kieliszewski’s retirement, Smith will take over day-to-day operations at the sheriff’s office to allow Kieliszewski time to close out his work, the sheriff said.

Kieliszewski has served the county as Alpena County sheriff since 2005 after starting with the agency in 1987.

The sheriff has been mulling the idea of retirement for some time but decided to make the move now to allow him more time with family, he said.

“Today’s a good day,” Kieliszewski said as he made the announcement. “It’ll be good to move on.”

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693 or jriddle@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jriddleX.