Todd Rowell has been appointed to serve as the next Mesa County Sheriff.

Mesa County Commissioners appointed Rowell to serve the remainder of the term of Matt Lewis until an elected sheriff takes office in January 2023. 

Lewis recently resigned and accepted a position as director of safety and security at Community Hospital in Grand Junction.

Rowell is scheduled to begin his new role Aug, 6.

Rowell has served 20 years with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office — as undersheriff since 2018. He’s served in multiple divisions and held various leadership positions, including supervising court services, professional standards and patrol operations. He has received several awards during his career, including two life-saving medals. He holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice and bachelor’s degree in public administration.

“The voters elected Matt Lewis twice, so I believe we have an obligation to listen to his thoughtful recommendation to appoint Undersheriff Rowell to fill his vacancy until the next election,” said Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland. “In addition to that, Todd is very interested in many community endeavors, especially in the Clifton area. He is a solid choice for Mesa County sheriff.”

Rowell said he’s pleased with the appointment. “This community is my home and where I’ve chosen to raise my family. I am honored for the opportunity to serve as sheriff and look forward to partnering with our residents to find creative solutions to resolve public safety concerns in Mesa County,” he said. “Thank you to the board and community for putting your faith and trust in me.”