St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Chief of Staff Sam Alton left the prosecuting attorney’s office last month to join a private practice.

Alton’s last day with Bell’s office was July 22. He served on Bell’s transition team, after he took office in 2019.

“The time has come for me to step back, get out of the line of fire in what has become an increasingly polarizing political world, and try to focus on my family and my civil practice. It’s a challenge I am looking forward to, but it is bittersweet,” Alton stated in a press release. “I will miss working with Wes and all of you to keep our community safe. There is no job where you can make an actual, tangible difference every single day like this job. I see it when Wes goes out into the community; I hear it from victims and their families. And there is no group of people I would rather have worked for and with for the past five years. Thanks and good luck everyone.”

Bell is likely leaving the prosecuting attorney post as well. On Tuesday, he beat U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-MO 1st District, in the primary. He will face Republican Andrew Jones in the General Election on Nov. 5.

“Often we identify ourselves by our respective roles and jobs, and Sam serves as chief of staff, although that title doesn’t come close to properly measuring the impact he has had on my administration. That said, the office will move on. All of our jobs are temporary, and all we can endeavor to do is to leave things better than we found them. Mission accomplished here,” Bell stated.  We have an amazing and experienced staff that will keep this train moving, but Sam’s presence will be missed … This is far from an ending, but merely the beginning of the next chapter.”