WDTV is reporting that the Preston County sheriff died Monday night, according to the Preston County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Sheriff Paul “Moe” Pritt died at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital due to complications from an illness, Sheriff’s Captain Thomas Mitter said.

 

Pritt was the only candidate running for sheriff in Preston County.

 

Pritt, of Terra Alta, was first employed at the sheriff’s office in 1993, and since that time, he had trained numerous officers, had investigated serious crimes from murder to sexual assault to traffic offenses and shoplifting complaints, according to the sheriff’s office’s website.

 

As a lifelong resident of Preston County, he was a graduate of East Preston Senior High and Fairmont State University, where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice.

 

Pritt was also the head coach of the softball team at Preston County High School, a role he filled in 2019 after being a volunteer coach, according to the sheriff’s office’s website. He coached T-ball, little league and pony league as a youth league coach and board member for over 20 years, the website says.

 

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