Current interim Middlesex County Sheriff Michael E. “Mickey” Sampson has announced his retirement effective Sept. 30. Sampson has served his entire 32-year career with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, including more than 14 years as chief deputy.
Chris Easter, the current chief deputy, will become interim Middlesex sheriff on Oct. 1 and will serve until a sheriff is chosen in a special election that concludes on Nov. 3. The election winner will take office as soon as election officials certify the election results and will serve through Dec. 31, 2027. (A regular election for sheriff will take place in November 2027 for a four-year term starting Jan. 1, 2028.)
Easter also is a candidate in this November’s special election being conducted to fill the unexpired term of former sheriff David Bushey, who resigned in March 2026 for health reasons.
