NATCHEZ — Independent sheriff’s candidate Elvis Prater made good Monday on a promise he made on the night of the Democratic primary run-off and officially withdrew from the race.

Prater, who would have faced off against Travis Patten in the fall general election, filed the necessary paperwork to withdraw from the race at the Adams County Circuit Clerk’s Office Monday morning.

The paperwork was a statement requesting his name be removed from the ballot on the general election, which he signed and had notarized.

Prater said he made the decision to withdraw from the race when Patten was elected.

“Travis Patten is a friend of mine, and I didn’t want to stay in the way of history,” Prater said.

“I wanted him to enjoy his moment that night.”

Prater said he wants his withdrawal to be a signal to the community to support the new sheriff-elect.

“I hope that everybody gets behind him and prays for him and gives him all the support he needs,” Prater said.

Prater said he would continue to work as an officer with the Natchez Police Department.

Patten could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

Including Prater, Patten was part of a field of four candidates vying for the Adams County sheriff’s seat.

In the Aug. 4 primary, he and candidate Randy Freeman unseated the current sheriff, Chuck Mayfield, and faced one another in a runoff last month.In the Aug. 25 runoff, Patten received 56.4 percent of the vote.