The widow of a southern Illinois sheriff who died last month will serve out the remainder of her late husband's term.Hardin County Board Chairman Wayne Eichorn appointed Joyce Cullison to the office on Wednesday.
Lloyd "Smokey" Cullison of Rosiclare was 71 when he died March 6th. He was elected sheriff in November 2010 and earned his nickname by dressing as Smokey the Bear while teaching kids about the dangers of playing with matches. His widow, Joyce, has been with the sheriff's department for nearly 13 years.
Eichorn also appointed Melissa Presser as the county's new state's attorney. She takes over for Roger Ralph, who resigned. Cullison and Presser will be in office until the winners of the November election take office on December 1st.