Henry County voters may have a year before they must elect a replacement for former sheriff Frank Cassell, who retired this week to focus on defending himself against federal charges.

County attorney George Lyle told the board of supervisors Wednesday that he will petition a judge for permission to hold a special election Nov. 6, 2007, the same day a general election is scheduled.

The board approved the petition with a unanimous vote.

According to Lyle, holding the special election on the same day as a general election will save the county $20,000 to $30,000 in poll workers' salaries and other costs.

Supervisor Jim Adams added that waiting a year also gives the sheriff's office time to bounce back from recent scandal.

Twelve current and former deputies were named in an Oct. 31 federal indictment charging them with taking drugs, guns and money from evidence. They are also accused of using drugs and distributing the stolen goods to the community.

The indictment claims that Cassell knew about the corruption but did nothing about it, and prosecutors say they have evidence of his knowledge in secretly taped conversations. Seven civilians also are charged in the case.

At their meeting Wednesday, supervisors praised interim Sheriff Lane Perry and his staff for their work since the indictments. Perry was officially sworn in Tuesday.

"I think the department can rise up from this and continue to move forward," Adams said.

Perry, who has been in law enforcement 14 years, said going from lieutenant to sheriff in six months was surprising, but he's not intimidated.

He said his staff reacted to the indictments with disbelief and disappointment at first, but now they're "picking up."

Perry said it's too soon to say whether he might run for sheriff next year, but two other names are circulating.

Michael McPeek, a retired state trooper who lost to Cassell in 2003, said he will definitely run. Jim McMillian, a supervisor for the Collinsville district, said he is considering a run.

Also on Wednesday, Supervisor Paula Burnette said the Virginia Association of Counties will ask the General Assembly to consider legislation that would offer local governments more options when a constitutional officer is charged with crimes.

That request stemmed from the board's frustration with Cassell's initial decision to place himself on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. Had he not changed his mind and voluntarily retired, the county would have had no control over his status.

In addition, board Chairman H.G. Vaughn said he wants to obtain more information about forming a county police department to handle law enforcement.

Many Virginia cities and counties have both a sheriff's office and a police department. Typically, the sheriff's staff manages the jail, performs court security and serves warrants while the police enforce the law.

"I personally have always had convictions about the political process getting involved in law enforcement," Vaughn said.