A career law enforcement officer who has been with the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office for a decade was sworn in Thursday as interim sheriff and will officially take over on April 1.
Major Robert “Bob” Krieger will lead the office, beginning next week, following the resignation of Sheriff Scott Hilliard, who was convicted earlier this year of driving drunk in Tilton. Hilliard announced in mid-February that he was stepping down from his elected position and that his last day would be March 31.
Krieger will serve in the interim role until voters elect a new sheriff in November. He told the Merrimack County Delegation that he is not planning to launch his own campaign to hold the position beyond 2020.
In a written statement Thursday, Krieger said he wished to thank the delegation for its support and Hilliard for his years of service and leadership. Voters first elected Hilliard to the post in 2006.
“The Delegation had several people apply, all of which had great qualities. I am honored that they picked me and I plan to continue moving the office forward with the same expertise that the sheriffs before have,” Krieger said. “The women and men of the Sheriff’s Office are very hard working and I am fortunate to be part of their team.”
The delegation – which is composed of the county’s state representatives – held a meeting Monday at the former superior courthouse in Concord to vote on the sheriff vacancy, as well as the county’s 2020 operating budget of $92 million and a union contract for 16 corrections department supervisors. County Administrator Ross Cunningham said several members of the delegation appeared in person and others called into the meeting by phone to ensure that county business was conducted under the new safety protocols and social distancing guidelines for the coronavirus.
Representatives said they felt that it was critical to hold the meeting and approve a county budget so that towns and cities weren’t left in limbo. This year, the county anticipates that $47,111,792 of the $92 million budget will be raised by taxes, marking a 0.31% increase over 2019.
“We’re trying to keep things in operation even though there is so much chaos out there,” said Rep. Diane Schuett, a Merrimack Democrat who is the chairperson of the county delegation.
On Thursday, Krieger recognized that he will assume leadership of the sheriff’s office during a difficult time but said he is optimistic Granite Staters will persevere.
“I assure you that we at the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office are out there watching over you as are the many other law enforcement agencies, combined with that, you have many different agencies on your side, from federal, state, county and local levels,” he said. “We will get through this. We are strong and caring people in the Granite State, capable of doing great things.”
Krieger, an Air Force veteran, began his career at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men in Concord and later joined the Loudon Police Department, where he climbed the ranks and ultimately retired as a lieutenant. In 2010, he joined the sheriff’s office, where he has been serving as the director of operations. Krieger came out of retirement and is now working full-time.
Krieger said he applied for the position of sheriff because he greatly cares about the county, the deputies who serve it and the future of the sheriff’s office.
Last month, Hilliard announced his resignation, facing pressure from members of the public and Gov. Chris Sununu after his misdemeanor drunken driving conviction in Nashua’s district court.
Hilliard was arrested by Tilton police on the evening of Aug. 9, 2019, in the 99 Restaurant parking lot after a caller reported that a man in a white Cadillac was driving erratically on Laconia Road, also known as Route 3. Officers said they smelled alcohol on Hilliard’s breath and that he had slurred speech, flushed cheeks and glassy eyes.
He later blood draw at Franklin Regional Hospital revealed that his blood-alcohol level was 0.246, three times the legal limit, according to court records.
Hilliard, who is appealing his conviction, previously said he began seeing a counselor after his arrest for his drinking problem.
In a letter to the community last month, he wrote that the decision to step down as sheriff before his term ends in December was a difficult one.
“I wish to take this opportunity to say thank you to the countless people who have supported me and my family in some difficult times,” he wrote. “It is your support that has helped me through some very difficult times it has touched my heart.”