District attorney retiring, governor appoints replacement

By Anita Reding
Managing Editor
Farley Ward, the chief prosecutor for District 18 since 2010, will retire Sept. 30.
Ward was first elected district attorney for the district, which includes Haskell and Pittsburg counties, in 2010.
He began his 32 years of public service in Haskell County. He began as an assistant district attorney in this district, and served in that capacity for 12 and a half years.
He then served as first assistant district attorney in LeFlore County, and was later appointed as special judge. After serving a year and nine months as special judge, he resigned in order to be appointed district attorney for LeFlore and Latimer counties. He held that position for two years.
He then served as assistant district attorney for three and a half years in Muskogee County before running for district attorney and “fortunately the voters in Haskell County and Pittsburg County elected me to be their district attorney,” Ward said.
He began serving as district attorney for the two counties in January 2011.
His current term doesn’t end for two years and three months. Ward said the decision to not complete the current term, which will not end for two years and three months, is a personal/professional compromise. “This was the best compromise I could find, to suggest that the governor appoint a young man who I know will carry on my philosophy of prosecution and maintain the staff.”
“Yes, I’m leaving early, but I feel like everything will be in good hands,” Ward said .
He added that he is looking forward to spending more time with his family, which includes six children and 14 grandchildren.
Gov. Mary Fallin has appointed Charles “Chuck” Sullivan, who currently serves as Ward’s first assistant, to replace the district attorney.
“Chuck Sullivan has an array of legal experience that gives him a unique perspective,” said Fallin in a media release. “I know he will serve the people of Pittsburg and Haskell counties well as district attorney.”
Previously, Sullivan worked in insurance defense with the Steidley and Neal law firm in McAlester and for the Tulsa County public defender’s office.
He earned his law degree from the University of Tulsa. He and his wife, Kristin, live in McAlester with their family.
Sullivan will be in Haskell County on occasion, but is planning to have one of the three assistants currently in the McAlester office handle the caseload in Haskell County, Ward said.
“I am very satisfied that I was able to start my career as a prosecutor here in Haskell County and will be ending it here in Haskell County. This is my home and I love the people here and appreciate being able to have served them in this capacity,” he said.
And what are Ward’s plans through the end of this month? Gesturing to the stacks of folders on his desk, he said “My goal is to have everything that’s pending on this desk completed so no one else has to deal with it. Whether I make that goal or not, I don’t know, but I’m sure going to give it my best effort.”