The internal promotion of Shawna Dencklau comes at Elifrits’ retirement after 20 years of service. Sheriff Jim Stubbs said Elifrits has been training her and imparting wisdom over the last two years, preparing for this moment.

“Shawna, in the last year, has really stepped up and made a big improvement. She will do a good job,” Stubbs told supervisors. “Wally took her under his wing.”

He looks forward to her leadership in the position as she takes over for someone who was revered in the county and state.

“Wally’s always had compassion for inmates and staff,” Stubbs said previously. “You (should) treat people like people, in jail or not.”

Over the years, he’s built a network with other jail and prison administrators that has paid dividends to the county. His approach has contributed to building a work environment that Stubbs said has helped level-off the historically high turnover rate for corrections officers.

Stubbs said Dencklau has formed those kinds of connections, as well.

“People tend to listen to that experience,” the sheriff said. “It’s not an easy spot to fill. It’s not an easy place to take over.”

Dencklau, previously the assistant jail manager, will start at a salary of $55,400, lower than the one Elifrits retired at. Stubbs said the figure will be evaluated with her performance in six months.

“I’m not a believer in whoever comes in should get the old person’s salary,” Stubbs said. ‘They need to earn it.”

In addition to Dencklau’s approval, supervisors approved the hire and termination of one corrections officer.