Chief deputy to serve as interim Greene County sheriff
WAYNESBURG – Marcus Simms has been elevated to interim Greene County sheriff following the death last week of Brian Tennant from an inoperable brain tumor.
Simms, who had served as Tennant’s chief deputy in the sheriff’s office since June 2015, was sworn-in by Greene County President Judge Farley Toothman during a ceremony Tuesday morning in the county courthouse.
“No one can ever replace Sheriff Tennant, but I look forward to continuing with Sheriff Tennant’s plans to advance the sheriff’s office to better serve the citizens of Greene County,” Simms said in a written statement. “I will continue serving the citizens of Greene County with the same dedication, honesty and transparency as Sheriff Tennant.”
Brian Tennant
Tennant, 35, died Feb. 27 while undergoing treatment at UPMC-Shadyside hospital in Pittsburgh. His widow, Jessica, attended the swearing-in ceremony in Toothman’s courtroom.
The 30-year-old Simms lives in Waynesburg with his wife, Brittney, and their daughter, Parker.
The elevation of Simms to interim sheriff falls under state law that requires the chief deputy to oversee the department in the event the sheriff is removed from office or dies before the end of the term, which is set to expire in January 2022. Simms said he is “working through the process and seeking the recommendation” for the full-time appointment to the position by Gov. Tom Wolf and confirmation by the state Senate.
Until then, Simms said he plans to move forward with programs started by Tennant, including the D.A.R.E drug education initiative in the county’s five school district, K-9 deputy detail and drug take back program. Simms thanked the sheriff’s office staff for “coming together in our darkest hour and maintaining their professionalism” following Tennant’s death to keep the department operating.
“All while doing so with tear-filled eyes, but knowing that Sheriff Tennant would have wanted it that way,” Simms said. “They truly represented Sheriff Tennant with their service before self. I cannot thank them enough for all they have done.”
He also thanked the community for its support. Numerous people lined the streets of Waynesburg during Tennant’s funeral procession Saturday that included a police escort, which was organized by Simms.
Tennant, who previously served as a Waynesburg police officer and volunteer firefighter, had served as sheriff since 2014 and was in the middle of his second term. He was diagnosed in early 2010 with an inoperable tumor on his brain stem and sought treatment at the time in Houston, Texas.