RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory is looking for a new head of one of the state’s top crime-fighting agencies.

Wednesday is the last day in the office for Kieran Shanahan, who announced last week he would be leaving his position as secretary of the state Department of Public Safety after just six months on the job. He said he plans to return to his private law practice in Raleigh and support his wife after her recent promotion to rear admiral in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Shanahan took the state job in January overseeing the Highway Patrol, state prison system and other law enforcement agencies.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported in May he had continued to provide legal advice to undisclosed private clients.