Former Morton County Sheriff Bob Erhardt was found dead in the backyard of his home in east Mandan Friday evening after Mandan police responded to a 911 call.

The 61-year-old Erhardt appeared to have died of a gunshot wound, according to the police report, with an autopsy scheduled for Tuesday. No foul play is suspected and police are investigating whether it is an accident or suicide.

Before being elected sheriff in 2002, Erhardt had been a Morton County sheriff's deputy for more than 20 years, originally hired by longtime Morton County Sheriff Leo Snider.

Morton County commissioner Matt Erhardt is a relative of Bob and the pair had a longtime working relationship. Matt Erhardt said that Erhardt was very disappointed in the close election loss to Sheriff Dave Shipman.

In April, Bob acquired the former "Mocha Momma's" coffee shop in Mandan, renaming it "Main Street Coffee and More." As a private contractor he also had discussed with the Morton County Commission the use of electronic monitoring of prisoners.

"I was very surprised to hear of Bob's demise," Matt Erhardt said. "He was a good deputy and I worked many cases with him when I was a member of the Highway Patrol. He was at Flasher and I was at Mott. Bob was very effective and a good officer."

Bob Erhardt also worked well with the county commission, according to Matt Erhardt. He made good decisions and communicated effectively with county commissioners, he said.

"I've been stopping down to Bob's coffee shop and reminiscing with him about the old days. He seemed very happy with how things were going," Matt Erhardt said.

Burleigh County Sheriff Pat Heinert said he got along well with Bob and they worked together for many years as deputies of their respective departments. Heinert said the news of Bob Erhardt's death surprised him, but he hadn't talked to Erhardt since the 2006 election.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)