Tucson Standard

Former Pima County Sheriff, Mark Napier, recently announced that he will retire in August amid a shakeup within the Pima County Administrator's Office, where he served as an assistant county administrator.

The announcement comes after County Administrator, Jan Lesher, told the Board of Supervisors that she planned to eliminate the assistant county administrator positions and convert some top staffers to senior advisors, according to a July 18 report from the Tucson Sentinel.

"While announcing new appointments, I stated that Mr. Mark Napier has chosen to retire,” Lesher said. “Aug. 27, 2022, will be his last day with Pima County. I know you join me in wishing Mr. Napier the very best and thank him for his service to the community."

Napier was elected sheriff in 2016, but lost a re-election bid in 2020 to Chris Nanos, the Tucson Sentinel reported. He then went to work for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office before returning to Pima County last July as head of Pima County’s emergency communications and elections.

"I’ve been at public service since December 1981," Napier said.

The public servant of more than four decades said, with the changes Lesher is making, it made sense to move on.

"I wasn't going to be there for another four or five more years, and now is the time," Napier said.

Napier’s position will be eliminated, Lesher said.

"I do not plan to fill this vacant senior advisor position," she said, adding that "as senior advisors, these individuals will conduct research and analysis, assist with the development of policy recommendations and strategies, and coordinate special projects.”

Napier said he will devote his time to his family.

"I've given a lot of time to my county, and it's time to give time back to my family," he said. "My time will be my time in a way it hasn't been in 40 years."