Longtime St. Charles County Prosecutor Tim Lohmar resigned abruptly in March, months after a drunk driving incident near the Lake of the Ozarks. County Executive Steve Ehlmann has appointed Joe McCulloch to that position, and the council confirmed him Monday. His brother Bob was the longtime St. Louis County prosecutor.
McCulloch told KMOX that being the county prosecutor has been a dream of his.
"To be truthful, this is the reason that I went to law school — when I started law school back in 1995 — was to be the prosecutor of St. Charles County," he said. "Timing just didn't work out at that time. And when this opportunity came up when Mr. Lohmar resigned, and Mr. Ehlmann was taking applications for it. I thought that this was an opportunity and a perfect time to step up and serve the people of St. Charles County in this capacity."
McCulloch said he'd always wanted to be a police officer, which he did out of high school for 24 years. His father was killed when he was just seven years old, but even before that, he said, he'd wanted to be on the force.
"So I understand their fate, when something happens to them that it's the biggest and most important and devastating thing in their lives, generally speaking, up to that point, whether it's a burglary or stealing or a homicide," he said. "And so my main focus in this position is going to be on the victims, keeping them informed as to what's going on, and helping them through the process."
His appointment extends through December of 2024, but he says he has "absolutely every intention" of running for the position on a full-time basis. "And I don't see myself going anywhere for quite some time. I plan on staying here and as long as people will have me," he said.
McCulloch added that he feels lucky to be walking into a well-established and well-respected office. As for what he plans to do differently, he said he plans to find himself in the courtroom more often.
Hear more from Joe McCulloch on what his plans are for the office of the St. Charles County Prosecutor on Total Information AM:
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