Shelby Co. Sheriff's Office promotes new chief deputy after retirement of 42-year veteran

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office has promoted an assistant chief deputy to be the office's new chief deputy, it said in a press release Monday morning.

Assistant Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner has been with the sheriff's office for 21 years, and the promotion follows the mid-July retirement of Chief Deputy Claude Robinson.

"Chief Deputy Buckner is an exemplary law enforcement professional with a proven track record of excellence," Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner said in the press release. "His commitment to proactive crime prevention initiatives and tireless efforts in engaging citizens is commendable. I do not doubt that under his leadership, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office will continue to make a lasting and positive impact on the communities we serve."

Robinson was a 42-year veteran at SCSO and was celebrated in a July 13 luncheon, according to the SCSO Facebook page. He, along with 13 other deputies, was recognized for what the department said totaled over 368 combined years of service at a ceremony on July 26.

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Shelby County Sheriff's Office promotes new chief deputy