Sheriff Hunt is named Clearwater fire chief

Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt is getting back to his roots in the fire service, officials have confirmed.

At the Clearwater Fire Department's regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, Hunt was elected to be the new chief of the volunteer fire department.

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office, Capt. Troy Elwell, said Hunt started his career in the fire service in Augusta, worked as a firefighter in North Augusta and then continued to serve the fire service during his tenure at Aiken Public Safety.

When he was elected sheriff in 2003, he continued to volunteer with other local fire departments but began volunteering with the Clearwater Fire Department earlier this year to work alongside his teenage son.

Elwell said the sheriff does not anticipate any conflict between his duties as fire chief and as the chief law enforcement officer in the county.

Hunt has served as the assistant fire chief at the department since March.

He replaces former chief Jerry Michael Toole, who was arrested this year for simple assault and battery on allegations that in 2007 he touched a 17-year-old girl on the chest. At that time, a warrant was issued for Toole's arrest but was not served until this year when an Aiken County Sheriff's Office employee, looking for a warrant for another person, came across the filed paperwork, officials said.

Hoping to squelch rumors that the sheriff's office showed the volunteer fire chief favoritism, Elwell addressed the matter with the media, explaining that Hunt was not aware of the pending warrant.

According to officials, Toole made a plea agreement with the solicitor's office this week; however, electronic court records show the charge is still pending.

At the time of Toole's arrest, Hunt said he did not have any intention of taking over as chief.

He did not seek out the nomination, said Elwell, who added that Hunt is happy to serve.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.