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Box Elder Sheriff Dies Day After Swear-In

Sheriff Joseph "Lynn" Yeates
facebook.com
Sheriff Lynn Yeates died unexpectedly Tuesday morning.

Box Elder County Sheriff Joseph “Lynn” Yeates passed away Tuesday morning, only a day after he was sworn into office for what would be his third term.

The county clerk and attorney are currently reviewing the vacancy with the County Republican Central Committee. The County Commissioner’s Office said Chief Deputy Kevin Potter is maintaining the position as interim sheriff, and will do so for the next month. Box Elder County Commissioner Jeff Scott said the reason for the delay is the state statute concerning the office of sheriff.

“That’s what they’re reviewing— the Utah Code, and the way that it defines that it has to be done,” Scott said. “It’s obviously not something we run into very often.”

Yeates was elected in 2007 and had an extensive career in emergency medical services. The 68-year-old died from a heart attack and was found in his Brigham City home after he missed work.

Scott said he spent the past year serving with Yeates, whom he called a dedicated public servant.

“He was phenomenal,” Scott said. “He was in the middle of everything. If there was something going on, he was involved.”

Yeates was preceded in death by his wife, Lynda,, who died of a brain tumor two months ago.