CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — Former Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Dougherty has passed away.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement Monday morning.
As he was campaigning for the 16th District Senate seat in 2020, he spoke to the Panhandle News Network about his history of public service:
“I have a forty year history of providing assistance and being a community involved person. I’ve been a local Chamber of Commerce member, a local School Board member, I’ve been a Magistrate, I’ve been a Sheriff. I’ve been a person who has helped support public education … I’ve been active in my church and civic organizations.” As he ran for office Dougherty emphasized what he termed his track record of “doing real work,” not just saying what he was going to do.
His opponent, Patricia Rucker, won re-election to that seat.
Dougherty held positions as a parole officer and probation supervisor and Magistrate Court Judge and worked as a professional staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, including five years on the staff of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs.
At the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, he worked with state local and federal governments, for profit and nonprofit corporations and faith-based organizations.
In 2013, he was appointed to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s post and was re-elected. His second term ended in December of last year.
A post on his Facebook page said Dougherty ” passed away late Sunday at his home in Sarasota, FL.”
Tributes are pouring in from his colleagues in law enforcement from around the state.