Phillips, 52, of State Center, has a long history with the sheriff’s office and, according to numerous letters and verbal praises, is an exemplary law enforcement official. He served as the chief deputy for former Sheriff Steve Hoffman before Hoffman resigned from his post on Monday.

Hoffman accepted a position as a chief deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and intended to maintain his duties as Marshall County Sheriff until at least until May. He told the Marshall County Board of Supervisors about his new position and his intention, telling them he had a transition plan in place. However, some attacks on Hoffman’s character, he said, caused him to submit his resignation on Monday.

Phillips has been acting as sheriff since, and people are confident he is the right person to fill Hoffman’s shoes.

“I am humbled by all the support,” Phillips said. “I do intend to participate in the application process the county has. I just have not submitted it yet.”

T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Joel Phillips, chief deputy of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, is familiar with all of the details of the agency. He has served under former sheriffs Steve Hoffman, who resigned on Monday, and Ted Kamatchus.

One month ago, he had no intention of becoming sheriff, even though he had fulfilled those duties whenever Hoffman was on vacation.

“It was always in the back of my mind to fill the role, but when Steve Hoffman took that opportunity with Polk County, I decided it was time to move forward,” Phillips said.

Born and raised in Marshall County, Phillips entered the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from high school. He served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield before returning to Iowa and joining the Melbourne Fire Department. He also became a certified EMT and then learned of an opportunity to join the sheriff’s office.

“I have always wanted to serve the public,” Phillips said. “I applied in 2002, was hired and went to the law enforcement academy.”

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting Wednesday to determine how to proceed with filling the sheriff’s position. The supervisors — Dave Thompson, Steve Salasek and Bill Patten — voted to appoint someone. The county has 10 days to advertise the open position and to accept applications from qualified individuals. Two of the requirements to be sheriff of Marshall County are law enforcement experience or the ability to become a peace officer within one year of appointment. The appointee also needs to be a resident of the county for at least six months. The supervisors have 40 days to fill the spot.

The other option is for a special election to be held. A petition would have to be taken out and 1,828 signatures gathered, and would have to be turned in within 14 days of notice of appointment.

After the meeting, Thompson said he cannot say as to whether or not Phillips will be appointed or whether or not he has support from the supervisors.

“We have to go through the process,” he said. “We must let the process work out and look at all of the qualified candidates. We will pick the best person because the cream rises to the top.”

Salasek said he hopes Phillips will submit an application because he knows the chief deputy is highly respected. Given the requirements the county has in place, Salasek is not expecting the applicant pool to be very deep.

“We will look at the resumes that come in, but I don’t think there are going to be a lot,” he said.

Phillips watched the special meeting on Wednesday and has since collected at least six letters from Marshall County residents who are supporting him for the position. Law enforcement veterans are also rallying behind Phillips.

Out of the approximately 55 staff members in the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, 45 signed their names on a letter of support. The document lists the various milestones Phillips has achieved in his 18 years with the office. He has served as a patrol deputy, deputy investigator and sergeant with the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force, chief jailer and chief deputy.

“Chief Phillips is a true leader who has earned the respect of his peers, employees and the citizens of Marshall County,” the letter states. “It is our opinion that the only logical choice to be appointed sheriff of Marshall County is Chief Deputy Joel Phillips.”

Hoffman has spoken in favor of Phillips and said if another person is chosen, it will not be for the best of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.

“It will negatively impact the morale and the delivery of services to the public,” he said. “We are talking about an individual with the sheriff’s office for a lengthy period of time who can deliver those services and create a vision for what future services should look like.”

Also favoring Phillips for the job is Ted Kamatchus, retired Marshall County Sheriff, who hired Phillips in 2002. Kamatchus, who said he is speaking as a former sheriff and Marshall County taxpayer, is concerned the supervisors will choose someone else.

“I worry the supervisors will take it upon themselves to pick someone other than Joel, someone with a lack of knowledge,” he said. “I hope when they look at applications, they will consider Joel is a fine detective, ran the jail and was a chief deputy under a sheriff who successfully weathered the storm of COVID-19. I can’t see this job going to anyone else. . . I hope the supervisors now put Joel into position and if there is political favoritism, that is illegal.”

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.