Talbot County, Maryland

06/27/2024

Category: Sheriff Department

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Major R. Scott Mergenthaler

Press release provided by Talbot County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Joe Gamble and the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office would like to congratulate Major R. Scott Mergenthaler on his retirement from his over fifty-one-year career in law enforcement. We offer a sincere thank you and well wishes for his dedication and professionalism to the citizens of Talbot County for the last eighteen years of service. The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office is a more complete office today because of his guidance and leadership, improving overall operations, working conditions, equipment and service to the citizens of Talbot County.

Scott is retiring to spend more time with his wife of fifty years, Patti, his two children, Matt and Kristin and their families. Scott was born and raised in Baltimore County, moving to Howard County when he was 22 years old. Scott and Patti moved to Talbot County shortly after being hired and now proudly call Talbot County their home.

Scott began his career in law enforcement in January 1973 as a cadet with the Maryland State Police, entering the Maryland State Police Academy in September 1974. Scott quickly demonstrated his leadership abilities and started his climb through the ranks becoming a Commander in the Motor Carrier Safety Program in November 1987, which merged in 1990 to become the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division where he was named Chief of Staff. Scott was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in January 1994 and was assigned as the Barrack Commander, Waterloo Barrack in July 1994, where he remained until his retirement in December 1998.

Scott was appointed as the Chief Deputy at the rank of Major with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office from January 1999 to December 2006. During his eight years in Command, he was able to increase personnel, establish a Sheriff’s Office budget, create and implement a Domestic Violence Unit, obtain federal grants for the purchase of mobile data computers and state-of-the-art computer systems for office personnel.

Scott was hired by the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office in December 2006 at the rank of Lieutenant assigned as the Administrative Commander. In this role, Scott prepared the Sheriff’s Office budget, fleet management, human resources, recruitment and hiring of deputies and office staff, quartermaster and Circuit Court security. In December 2014, Scott was named the Chief Deputy and promoted to the rank of Captain. Scott was promoted to the rank of Major in July 2018, maintaining overall command of the Sheriff’s Office operations.

During his career, Scott successfully completed many prestigious trainings, including Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development School, University of North Florida Institute of Police Technology and Management, and the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute. In addition, Scott studied criminal justice at the Community College of Baltimore County and Chesapeake College. Scott is a faithful member of numerous law enforcement associations throughout the State and Nation.  

The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office will sorely miss Scott’s guidance, professionalism, dedication to service and overall leadership abilities, but sincerely wish him the best and hope he enjoys his well-earned retirement from public service.