Margaret Mims announced Friday that after 16 years as the elected sheriff of Fresno County, she intends to retire at the end of her current term in 2023.

She began her career in law enforcement 42 years ago as a Kerman police offer, being hired as a Fresno County deputy sheriff in 1983 before working up the ranks. She is also an outspoken figure in national media interviews criticizing the polices of Gov. Gavin Newsom and defending enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

As a breast cancer survivor, she has also been an advocate for early detection.

Her career with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office was marked by firsts — first woman to attain the rank of lieutenant captain, assistant sheriff and sheriff when she was first elected in 2006.

“This decision does not come easily as I still get such satisfaction out of public service, but after 42 years, the time is right for me to retire while I am still healthy and can be active with my family,” Mims said in a statement to the media.

“It was important to me when I became Sheriff to provide stability to the office. I have provided that stability and over the years we have worked our way through good times and tough times and become stronger as a result. I say ‘we’ because i did not accomplish this alone, it took working with not only Sheriff’s Office personnel, but with the vital cooperation of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, our County Administrative Office, other County Departments and the public.”

Mims went on to say there remain projects and improvements that need to be made that she intends to work on for the remainder of her term.

“It has been a humble honor to serve the citizens of Fresno County,” she said. “Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported me during my career.”