Laurence Mellen, who has served as district attorney in four counties in north Mississippi for 26 years, will retire Dec. 31.

Gov. Haley Barbour has scheduled a special election for Nov. 2, 2010, to fill the post.

Barbour’s office said the governor will appoint a successor to serve until the special election.

Circuit Judge Kenneth Thomas will name an interim district attorney in January to serve until Barbour makes his appointment. Mellen’s term runs until January 2012.

Mellen tells The Bolivar Commercial in Cleveland that he decided in November that it was time to step aside.

Mellen is district attorney for the 11th Circuit Court District, which includes Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman and Tunica counties.