(Host) Vermont State Police are investigating the apparent suicide of Grand Isle Sheriff Connie Allen who died late Thursday.
State police were called by sheriff’s deputies and found Allen’s body at her home in South Hero.
In 2002, Allen became one of Vermont’s first two female sheriffs. She had previously worked 10 years as a Grand Isle County deputy sheriff.
The mother of five children, Allen had also served on the South Hero School Board.
State police say she died of a gunshot wound and don’t suspect that there was any foul play.
Lamoille County Sheriff Roger Marcoux is president of the Vermont Sheriff’s Association and he has been charged with re-establishing leadership in the Grand Isle County office.
After addressing the sheriff’s office, Marcoux says its small staff is in a state of shock.
(Marcoux) "That’s a tight-knit community. And the sheriff’s department is very well respected. So I think it’s not only a loss for the family and the sheriff’s office but for the whole community."
(Host) Marcoux says an investigation, including a state mandated audit, is under way. State police say they won’t release any other details until that is complete.