FESSENDEN, NORTH DAKOTA (KFGO) - Wells County, North Dakota has found itself without a sheriff's department, at least temporarily.
KFGO News has learned Sheriff Johnny Z. Lawson has resigned, effective this past Tuesday and county commissioners fired his two deputies this week.
States Attorney Kathleen Murray did not return calls but a spokesperson in her office says an investigation is underway but she cannot comment on reasons for the departure of the officers or what the investigation is about.
Lawson is unavailable, but in a post on his Facebook page, he wrote he was resigning "due to personal reasons."
Sheriff's departments in the neighboring counties of Foster, Eddy, and Sheridan are providing interim law enforcement coverage for Wells County. One sheriff told KFGO News, the additional responsibility will stretch the resources for his small department but said "when asked, we do what we can to help."