By Mike Donoghue
Vermont News First

ST. ALBANS — Embattled Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore, who faced an impeachment inquiry three years ago, has announced that he will not seek to retain his post in the General Election in November.

“This decision was not made lightly, but with a clear understanding of the demands and challenges of public service in Vermont, as well as the timing for the next chapter of my life,” Grismore said in a news release Monday.

Grismore did not respond to requests for an interview from Vermont News First.

It has been a rocky road for Grismore over the past four years.

The Grismore impeachment effort by a legislative inquiry committee, which included 26 witnesses, fell short. Demands by legislators and other politicians for his resignation were ignored. Two attempts to prosecute Grismore in court for simple assault on an unruly intoxicated prisoner before he was elected sheriff both ended in mistrials. The assault case was eventually dropped by Grand Isle County State’s Attorney, who was asked to take over the case.

Grismore’s license to be a Vermont police officer was revoked by the state in December 2023 and upheld by the Vermont Supreme Court in November 2024. The legislature voted to cut his pay by 30 percent. Two fulltime state transport deputies were reassigned to Chittenden County Sheriff Dan Gamelin for supervision.  

The reported assault in August 2022 while he was a deputy was captured on department video. State police believed the shackled prisoner was kicked in the groin by Grismore. The sheriff maintained he had used his foot to push the prisoner, who was spitting on deputies, back onto a bench in the holding area in the sheriff’s office on Lake Street in St. Albans.

Four years ago Grismore ran as a Republican, but also secured the nomination from the Franklin County Democrats in the August 2022 primary. Franklin County residents went on to overwhelmingly vote for Grismore in the General Election three months later against two write-in candidates.

Grismore, 52, has been facing an uphill battle ever since, but he continued to serve as the elected sheriff with limited duties for more than two years.

The Vermont Criminal Justice Council voted 15-1 to take away his police certification permanently. It meant he was unable to investigate crimes, and he was denied access to law enforcement computer reports and logs.

Grismore’s normal annual pay would be $109,616, but with the 30 percent cut imposed by the legislature, he now makes $76,731 a year.

If Grismore had decided to run, he was expected to face competition from at least one or two veteran lawmen from Franklin County. However two potential candidates told Vermont News First on Monday afternoon that they are staying put. That leaves the door wide open.

Grismore said his four-year term has been stressful.

“My tenure has included moments of significant challenge, many of them highly public and deeply stressful for me, my family, and the members of the Sheriff’s Office,” he wrote.

“Through it all, the Office remained steadfast, professional, and resilient. In the face of scrutiny and adversity, its members carried themselves with integrity and emerged stronger and more unified, demonstrating the character and commitment that define this organization,” he said.

Grismore had served as chief deputy under one-term Sheriff Roger Langevin, a former Vermont State trooper. When Langevin did not seek re-election, Grismore ran.

He said Monday he believed there had been considerable positive steps in their nearly 8 years.

“We accomplished a great deal on behalf of our County and our organization. Highlights include doubling employee compensation and benefits, reestablishing the Special Response Team, developing a first-of-its-kind Crisis Response Team, rebranding the organization and implementing new and innovative technology,” Grismore wrote.