Chad Stevens abruptly leaves undersheriff job; sheriff says rumors of physical altercation untrue

     HARRISON – Chad Stevens is no longer undersheriff as of today, Wednesday, Feb. 17, but the reason for his departure was not disclosed by the Clare County sheriff.
     Rumors that Stevens had been fired this week began circulating Tuesday, but when contacted by The Clare Sentinel today Clare County   Sheriff John Wilson would only confirm that his hand-picked undersheriff was leaving the position today without elaborating further on the reason why.
     Instead, Wilson said, the Clare County Sheriff’s Department is headed in a new direction and that direction will not include Undersheriff Chad Stevens, who left his position today.
     That change in direction in the department will include a new undersheriff, and Wilson said he would announce Stevens’ successor shortly.
Wilson said he “appreciates the support and contribution provided to his office by Undersheriff Stevens and wishes him and his family the best.”
     Meanwhile, rumors that there had been a physical altercation between two sheriff’s department personnel members at the department on Tuesday are false, Wilson said in an email communication with The Clare Sentinel.
     “It’s too bad that there has to be those types of rumors out there which people will dwell on, as all they do is hurt people,” Wilson stated in the email response.
     The Clare Sentinel questioned reasons for the change in direction and the timeline for a replacement. “As we move along, we will keep you up to date,” Wilson responded.
     Clare County Prosecutor Michelle Ambrozaitis also confirmed in an email to the newspaper that her office did not receive anything on any type of alleged assault incident among Sheriff’s Department personnel.
     “I will direct you to Sheriff Wilson regarding comment on the status of his undersheriff,” Ambrozaitis said via an email reply.
     Neither Stevens nor Clare County Administrator Bill Newkirk could be reached for comment today.