PINEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Gregory A. Bishop, Prosecuting Attorney for Wyoming County, West Virginia, announced today that he will step down from his position effective July 31, 2025, following a distinguished and transformative four-year tenure.
“This decision follows careful reflection and a reevaluation of my career goals, along with a renewed commitment to prioritizing my personal life and family,” Bishop said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished—indeed, far more than I imagined possible—and I leave knowing that the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney is stronger, more efficient, and more effective than it has ever been.”
Since assuming office in 2021, Bishop has spearheaded major reforms in Wyoming County’s criminal justice system. Under his leadership, the office eliminated a decade-long backlog of more than 300 felony cases, restructured internal procedures to ensure timely convictions, and implemented forward-leaning partnerships with law enforcement agencies to streamline investigations and grand jury presentations.
As a result, the county’s felony conviction rate—focused on repeat offenders, violent criminals, and drug traffickers—has more than tripled. These reforms not only enhanced public safety but also produced tangible cost savings. By ensuring prompt transfer of convicted felons to the State Penitentiary, Wyoming County now saves approximately $40,000 per month, totaling nearly $500,000 annually in reduced incarceration costs.
In the realm of Abuse and Neglect cases, Bishop’s office instituted new protocols and staff training that cleared a backlog of over 500 cases, ensuring more timely and responsible outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
Despite these successes, Bishop cited one persistent challenge: reconciling an ever-tightening county budget with the widening compensation gap between public service attorneys and those in private practice.
“With assistant prosecutors earning less than 60% of their private-sector peers, we face a serious risk of losing qualified attorneys and undermining the integrity of our justice system,” Bishop noted. “Without a sustainable solution to this wage disparity, the progress we have made is in jeopardy.”
Bishop has offered to assist the Wyoming County Commission with a smooth transition and urges the prompt appointment of his successor to ensure continuity and preserve institutional momentum.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the citizens of Wyoming County,” he said. “I am proud of the positive changes we have made, the dedicated team I have led, and the measurable progress we have achieved. Now, it is time for the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney to embrace a new era—led by strong, capable, and forward-thinking leadership prepared to face the challenges ahead.”
