JACKSON -- Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Norman Copeland, credited for transforming a department in shambles into a first-rate law enforcement agency, announced Thursday he will retire Aug. 1.

"I have been thinking about it for a long time," said Copeland. "I had hoped to go the whole term, but I just don't feel like doing it anymore.

"It has been a real good experience and one I'm proud of. But it's time for someone else to do this job and for me to do something else."

Copeland advised the county commission of his plans Thursday morning, and told members of his department through a letter.

"I've really enjoyed being sheriff and feel like we have come a long, long way since I took over," Copeland said. "We have gone from scratch to a good department. We are not perfect but we have come a long way."

Copeland was appointed sheriff in March of 1986 following the resignation of Dwight Thomas, and was elected to the remainder of that term in November of 1988. In 1992 he was re-elected to another term.

Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep praised Copeland for his service and how he turned the department around. A 29-year veteran of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Copeland was appointed sheriff at a time when Thomas was under heavy investigation by a county grand jury.

At the time of his resignation, several criminal indictments were reportedly about to be handed out.

Thomas' problems, combined with problems during the administration of Jimmy Joe Below, who resigned in 1980 with seven months remaining in his term, left a floundering department plagued by high employee turnover.

"We needed someone who was tough, but respected," said Huckstep. "We wanted a disciplinarian who was respected and totally above suspicion of any kind. The department was demoralized.

"(Copeland) was available and the logical choice," Huckstep added. "He has brought back respect and integrity over there, and after Below and Thomas, the department was just in shambles. He's a real leader."

When he decided to run again two years ago, Copeland said he really intended to serve out the full term. But the ongoing responsibilities of the sheriff's office, combined with recent health problems, brought the 66-year-old Copeland to his decision.

A bout with cancer in the fall of 1985 made Copeland realize he was not immortal. Although treatment was successful and he has been free of cancer for nine years, the experience was a sobering one.

Copeland said he believes a younger person with new ideas can make a good department even better.

"The department is in excellent condition and the new guy can come in and go forward and upward," said Copeland. "At the time I took over, I did not have the time or people. I could hang on two more years, but I'm tired. I'm not young and energetic anymore.

"We have a smooth operation that can only get better with new leadership."

By announcing his retirement now, Copeland said a new sheriff can be elected in November during the regular election, saving taxpayers the costs of a special election.

State law gives the county commission authority to appoint an interim sheriff. The county Democratic and Republican central committees will meet in August to choose their nominee for the remainder of the term.

Huckstep said the commission will discuss an interim sheriff next week, and suggested the logical choice would be someone within the department.

Said Huckstep: "In the next week or two we will make an announcement about who the interim sheriff will be. We want to keep continuity in place until the people elect a new man. I would assume the one we appoint would be someone not interested in being a candidate, though that is not set in concrete."

After retiring from the highway patrol in 1983, Copeland worked as director of security at St. Francis Medical Center until the fall of 1985. When he took over the sheriff's office, Copeland said it took him two years to get things on track.

"I worked seven days and nights a week getting it all straightened out," he recalled.

Asked what he is most proud of, Copeland replied without hesitation: "the whole department.

"You are not going to be liked by everyone, but I think overall a majority of people are satisfied with the department. You have some people, regardless of what you do, who are not going to be satisfied."

Copeland believes the changes made under his tenure have improved the organization and professionalism of the department.

He said operations all have been computerized, the 911 emergency phone system is in place, equipment has been modernized, modern jail administration procedures are in place, and training has been ongoing.

A recent example of the department's training came over the weekend when a 2-year old girl was found dead in Delta. Officers were told that sudden infant death syndrome was the cause, but deputies noticed some marks on the child and investigated further.

Within a short time, a murder case had been built with a suspect in custody.

County Auditor H. Weldon Macke has plenty of praise for Copeland, both as a law enforcement officer and for the way he has managed county resources.

The sheriff's department has an annual budget of about $1.3 million, though about 20 percent of that amount is not spent. The department has a staff of 41.

"I think he's been a great sheriff. He has handled the department with professionalism," said Macke. "He is real frugal on his expenses and he worries about county money like it is his own -- he's really tight.

"I would say his real strength is the organization of the department so it can function as a department."

Huckstep says Copeland has a lot to be proud of and has served citizens well.

"His style of running the department has worked out very good for the county. He certainly turned things around," said Huckstep. "I hate to see him leave, but there are other considerations such as health and family. He will be missed."