Chief Deputy Austin Garrett is offering the following statement regarding Sheriff Jim Hammond’s and Chief of Staff Gino Bennett’s conditions:

“We are pleased to announce that both Sheriff Jim Hammond and Chief of Staff Gino Bennett have returned home to continue their recovery after a brief stay at a local medical facility due to their COVID-19 diagnosis.

Sheriff Hammond and Chief Bennett will continue to quarantine under the guidance of their physicians.

They are both in good spirits and hope to return to the HCSO administrative offices soon.

We want to thank the community again for their prayers and well wishes for Sheriff Hammond and Chief Bennett as they recover.”

No further details are available at this time.