Chad Hermann Appointed as Plumas County Sheriff

QUINCY — Meeting on August 5, the Plumas County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to appoint Chad Hermann as Plumas County Sheriff/Coroner, replacing outgoing Sheriff Todd Johns, who retired July 28. Hermann has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1992; he served as Undersheriff since 2020 and as Interim Sheriff since Johns’s retirement.

The Board previously signaled its intention to appoint Hermann by majority vote at their July 1 meeting. State law does not allow a special election to be called to replace the outgoing Sheriff, but Supervisors McGowan and Ceresola related at that time that some constituents wanted the next Sheriff to be chosen through an open, competitive process and voted against selecting the next Sheriff by appointment.

In discussion before the August 5 vote, Supervisor Hall acknowledged public interest in an open process, but reiterated her previous support for Hermann’s appointment, noting the strong support of the Sheriff’s Employees’ Association, and the fact that the Undersheriff is the designated successor to the Sheriff. She said Hermann would probably be selected as the best candidate, even if other applicants were interviewed. Supervisor Engel added that constituents had elected Board members to make decisions and that, while some people might not agree, Hermann’s appointment was “a no brainer” and that the Board should move forward with the decision. In a comment to the Board, District Attorney David Hollister emphasized the importance of a smooth transition and called Hermann “the right person at the right time.”

When the roll was called after discussion, all members of the Board voted to appoint Hermann. In voting in favor of the appointment, Supervisor McGowan said he understood constituents’ desire for an open process, but believed a unanimous vote was needed.

Hermann will serve as Sheriff until the next regularly scheduled election in November 2028. In a press release following his appointment he said “I’m committed to building on the foundation laid by Sheriff Johns and leading this agency with integrity, transparency and leading this agency with a focus on both public safety and employee support.”