SAN DIEGO—Bill Gore, who has served as San Diego County sheriff for more than a dozen years, announced on Jan. 19 that he plans to retire next month, nearly a year before the end of his fourth term in the post. Gore, 74, who announced last summer that he would not seek re-election this year, said he will step down on Feb. 3. The career lawman did not provide a reason for his early departure, though he did say in a prepared statement that his retirement would allow him to give his “full attention and support” to his wife “as she has done for me during our 43 years of marriage.” A 52-year law enforcement veteran, Gore was appointed sheriff in 2009 by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and subsequently elected to the position three times. His current term ends next January. In his statement, Gore described his …