Delaware County sheriff resigns, acting sheriff appointed

JAY, Okla. (AP) -- Lenden Woodruff followed his resignation as Delaware County sheriff with a guilty plea Wednesday to charges stemming from his drunken driving arrest.<br><br>The former lawman faces one

Wednesday, March 10th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

JAY, Okla. (AP) -- Lenden Woodruff followed his resignation as Delaware County sheriff with a guilty plea Wednesday to charges stemming from his drunken driving arrest.

The former lawman faces one year of probation after pleading guilty to driving under the influence and transporting an open container, District Attorney Eddie Wyant said. He also must pay $1,650 in fines.

Meanwhile, Delaware County commissioners named Undersheriff Rick White acting sheriff until a replacement is chosen to fill Woodruff's term, which expires in November.

The pleas came under an agreement in which the state agreed to drop additional charges of resisting arrest and transporting a loaded firearm while intoxicated.

Wyant called the plea deal "fair and reasonable" and typical of county cases involving first-time drunken driving offenders.

"I'm glad that this is over," Wyant said. "I'm glad he held himself accountable. Hopefully, Delaware County can start healing and move past this."

Woodruff resigned Tuesday after a tumultuous 10-day battle over whether he should remain in office.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Jim Reinecker pulled Woodruff over around 11 p.m. Feb. 28 after seeing his car driving 35 mph in a 65 mph zone, swerving off the road and crossing the center line.

"I decided to resign after I looked at the overall picture," Woodruff said Tuesday.

Wyant said the former sheriff must obtain a drug and alcohol assessment, attend a panel featuring victims of drunken driving and speak at three other panels.

The district attorney said Woodruff's resignation was separate from the plea agreement.

"Looking at everything in its totality, with him being on probation and just the negative effect on the county, he thought it was in the best interest of the people to step down," Wyant said.

Woodruff, a Democrat, was elected in 2000. He apologized publicly two days after his arrest, then again before county commissioners at a meeting on Monday.

In a statement on Tuesday, Woodruff said he "acted inappropriately" and would hold himself accountable for his actions.

Also at the meeting, protesters presented a petition with more than 500 signatures from residents seeking Woodruff's resignation.