Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward tapped veteran prosecutor Manny Madruga as his new chief assistant state attorney over the weekend.

Ward confirmed Monday that he asked longtime prosecutor Madruga to be his new chief prosecutor following the resignation Friday of Don Barrett. Madruga accepted, he said Monday.

"I based [the appointment] on his knowledge of the law and his knowledge of how the office should be run," Ward said of Madruga. "That includes his ability to work with the community and members of law enforcement. And he's a sharp guy."

Madruga's promotion comes on the heels of news that Barrett is leaving the office to resume his private practice due to "fundamental philosophical differences" with Ward. Barrett declined to elaborate on those differences.

"I'm disappointed that Don is leaving because I have a great deal of professional and personal respect for him," said Madruga. "One of the things that I've noted in my career is that state attorneys and assistants come and go and the only constant is change. You have to learn from those before you and use that to do what's in the best interest of justice and the people of Monroe County."

Barrett will work through July 16, at which point Madruga and other prosecutors will absorb his case load, Ward said.

"We'll have to sit and down and meet on that, but I think some will go to (Assistant State Attorney) Mark Wilson and some to Manny," Ward said.

Wilson was hired by Ward upon his election in 2008 to spearhead public corruption cases in Monroe County. Wilson is prosecuting former school administrator Monique Acevedo on theft and fraud charges, and Pablo Jimenez, who is charged with first-degree murder in the beating death of a Key West woman last month.

Madruga already handles many of the high-profile and murder cases in Monroe County, and he will now juggle administrative duties.

"I'm looking forward to it, and I'm glad that Dennis trusts me with the job," Madruga said.

Madruga began his career in the Monroe County State Attorney's Office 20 years ago next month. He was named the 2009 Florida prosecutor of the year, serves as Rotary International's assistant governor for Rotary clubs in the Florida Keys, and spearheads child identification programs in Monroe County and elsewhere in Florida.

alinhardt@keysnews.com