While it might seem ignominious for Sheriff Pete DeFazio to cut and run while his office remains under federal investigation, it's actually a gift to Allegheny County. Because Mr. DeFazio said he'll retire by month's end, a year after he won re-election, the county should declare it's over-and-out for the elected post as well.

That would be a big 10-4 for Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, who said that after Mr. DeFazio steps down he may recommend bringing the sheriff's office under the "public safety umbrella," which includes the county police.

Just three years ago, before three of Mr. DeFazio's top deputies were indicted in a political corruption investigation, he tried to annex the county police department. That failed, thank goodness -- otherwise county police would share the disgrace of the sheriff's office caused by the guilty pleas of two deputies and the conviction of a third.

The trio got in trouble for supporting the sheriff's re-election campaign in illegal ways, such as keeping lists of deputies who bought tickets to fund-raisers and refusing a deputy's vacation request because he hadn't contributed to the boss's re-election. The practice of macing deputies provides the perfect reason for eliminating the elected part of the sheriff's office. No campaigns, no need to raise money.

That's not to say the role of sheriff's deputies should be excised. Their good service is crucial to court operations. They transport prisoners, guard courtrooms and deliver legal papers, for example.

Although those functions are different from the investigative work of county police, a merger of the county police and sheriff's office could yield a more efficient department that saves the county money. The number of administrators could be reduced and overtime costs could be cut as some deputies fill in as police officers and vice versa.

The county chief executive could supervise all county policing functions the way a city mayor oversees its police department, appointing the chief and taking the heat if things go awry.

Mr. Onorato should convene a fast-acting study group to determine how to combine the two offices. District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. should be included because he's expressed a willingness to move some of his office's detectives to a new department.

The group should offer recommendations by year's end so the public can vote in the spring primary to end the election of sheriff, the way they ended the balloting for six other row officers in 2005.