McKean County sheriff Bradley Mason is resigning from all of his duties with the county effective Thursday, ending speculation about him not fulfilling his obligations as an elected official.

In a statement sent to The Era, Mason said, “To my loyal supporters, I am resigning my position as McKean County Sheriff and also the warden’s position.

“At this time I have decided to explore other opportunities afforded me in the private sector and retire from law enforcement and politics. I have served McKean County for the past 32 years in law enforcement with unwavering dedication and with dignity and honor,” Mason said. “It has been a privilege serving you and thank you for your loyal support.”

According to Pennsylvania law, chief deputy Jim Sharer will be acting sheriff until another sheriff is commissioned. When reached Tuesday evening, he declined to comment. A Blair County native, Sharer retired after 25 years with the Pennsylvania State Police. He served most of his career at the Kane barracks, serving briefly in Emporium as well. He retired at the rank of corporal.

Mason, a Republican, has served as sheriff since 2006, winning re-election again last year.

Reached Tuesday evening, McKean County Commissioner chairman Joe DeMott said the commissioners received letters from Mason earlier that day.

“We haven’t really talked about the long-range plan here,” DeMott said. A meeting has been set up with Sharer for Friday. “Jim would like some time to digest the situation.”

DeMott lauded Mason’s service to the residents of the county, saying, “I feel that Brad has done a good job as sheriff and as the warden. I think one of his strong points is, over the years, he has hired some very good people.”

He’s confident the sheriff’s office is in good hands, he said. DeMott also lauded Dave Stahlman and Rick Austin, the assistant wardens at the jail; Bruce Manning at McKean County Emergency Management; and Andrew Johnson at the McKean County 911 Center.

“I think we have a good crew of people,” DeMott said.

When asked if Sharer would take over Mason’s duties at the jail, EMA and 911 Center, DeMott said, “that decision hasn’t been made yet.”

“It’s my understanding the warden must be either the sheriff, or if not, then we need to have a prison board,” he said. It’s too early to say what will happen there, DeMott added.

For his part, Marty Causer, chairman of the McKean County Republican Party, said he hadn’t been notified officially of Mason’s plan to resign.

“What I know of the procedure is that the chief deputy would immediately fulfill the duties of the office,” Causer said. “Or the other procedure is the governor could appoint a replacement and the Senate (would confirm the candidate).”

In either case, the candidate would serve until the next municipal election, which is next year.

Causer said speculation about Mason’s intentions had been rampant, and added that he had been contacted by a few people expressing interest in taking office should Mason step down.

“Whenever there’s a vacancy in an office, people naturally contact party members to express interest,” Causer said. However, he added, it’s premature to say what the party would do. “The party could make a recommendation to the governor’s office and the senator regarding appointing someone,” he said. “Or the party could choose not to make a recommendation. I think it’s premature to say.”

He mentioned a somewhat similar situation in April 2012 when McKean County treasurer Nancy Evans retired from her post.

“The party decided not to make a recommendation (to fill her position) because the (municipal) election was coming up,” Causer said. Mary Jo Sherwood had been named acting treasurer, and ran a successful campaign for the office in the following municipal election.

Mason is a 32-year veteran of law enforcement and a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Training Academy. In 1981, he began his law enforcement career with the Port Allegany Borough Police Department. In 1986, he began working for Smethport Borough Police, where he was appointed assistant chief.

In 1988, he was hired by the Bradford Township Police Department. In 2006, he was elected sheriff. He also serves as warden of the McKean County Jail and oversees the McKean County 911 Center and McKean County Emergency Management Agency.

Mason has served on the McKean County Drug Task Force, and is a past member of the Bradford Township Planning Commission, where he held the post of chairman for two years.