Akes sworn in to complete term of departed Linn County sheriff

By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

MOUND CITY – In a brief, sparsely attended swearing-in ceremony in the former courtroom on the second floor of the Linn County Courthouse, James Akes took over the reins of the Linn County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Akes replaces former sheriff Kevin Friend, who resigned the post in September to work for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. In the interim since Friend left, Undersheriff Bobby Johnson has been in charge of the office.

A deputy who was selected by the Linn County Republican Central Committee to replace Friend, Akes received notice earlier in the week from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly approving his appointment.

In 2018, Kelly also approved the appointment of Friend to the post when former sheriff Paul Filla retired.

In the August primary election this year, Akes won the Republican nomination to the sheriff's post. He faces no opposition in the Nov. 5 general election and was already expected to succeed Friend as sheriff.