Washington County Veterans Service Office Executive Director Darren Shearlock speaks to the audience at the Veterans Walk of Honor Brick Placement ceremony in November. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

MARIETTA – Darren Shearlock resigned from his position as the executive director of the Washington County Veterans Service Commission effective at 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning.

Shearlock announced his resignation during the regular Washington County Commissioner meeting.

“Serving the veterans of Washington County has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career,” said Shearlock in his resignation letter.

Shearlock said he wished the best to the staff of the WCVSC and for the success of the veterans he served during his tenure.

Shearlock served as executive director for two years. His resignation succeeds the past few months of ongoing litigation between veterans service commission members Jared Smith and Larry Proctor.

The special meeting for the case of Proctor v. Smith slated for Thursday evening was cancelled upon Shearlock’s announcement. There was expected to be a resolution following the meeting.

In Shearlock’s resignation letter, he said he believed the environment created by the current veterans commissioners was a “hostile and toxic” workplace.

“Unfortunately, I can no longer continue working in the environment that has developed within this organization,” Shearlock stated in his letter.

Shearlock and other members of the commission filed and submitted complaints against Smith in December. Those complaints were taken to the Washington County Common Pleas Court.

The complaints against Smith alleged various instances where he “repeatedly attempted to pressure staff” and “violate ethical requirements.”

Smith has been with the commission for about 10 years and served as president from 2021-23.

After the complaints were filed against Smith in December, complaints from commission members were then filed against Shearlock a month later.

The case remained ongoing, up until Shearlock’s resignation, with testimony from county officials, members of the veterans commission, and members of local organizations.

“My concerns have only been reinforced by findings contained within recent court proceedings,” read the letter. “I no longer believe meaningful change is possible under the current circumstances.”

Although his resignation was effective immediately, the process is ongoing for the veterans commission to take next steps. More information will become available during upcoming meetings. There were no public comments from the commission at this time.

“When I accepted this position, my goal was simple: to do everything possible to ensure that veterans and their families received the benefits, services, advocacy, and respect they earned through their service to our nation,” said Shearlock in the letter. “I am proud of the work accomplished by our staff and grateful for the opportunity to have assisted so many veterans during my tenure.”

The next veterans commission meeting is slated for 5 p.m. June 30 at 706 Pike St., Marietta.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com