By KENDRA PEEK
kendra.peek@amnews.com

As of midnight Thursday morning, Boyle County has a new sheriff.

Former Chief Deputy Derek Robbins was sworn in as sheriff Wednesday afternoon and replaced Former Sheriff Marty Elliott after Elliott’s last day.

Elliott announced his plan to vacate the office during the June 28 Boyle County Fiscal Court meeting. On Wednesday afternoon, his last day in office, a retirement party was held in his honor.

“It’s been a heck of a run,” he said Wednesday.

Elliott originally became sheriff by appointment in 2009. He was elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. During his tenure, the department has instituted a school resource officer position; added detectives and a K9 officer; and begun using auxiliary deputies, also known as special deputies.

“I’m overwhelmed and blessed,” Elliott said. “I never expected this many people; you never realize how many lives you touch.”

He called the occasion “bittersweet.” Last year, Elliott had a health scare, facing a battle with cancer.

“We watched God work a miracle,” he said.

Now cancer-free, the scare, along with continued stress in the position, caused him to consider taking a step back.

“I try to do everything from my heart,” Elliott said. “People who do that are good leaders, so I’ve been told. But we feel it so much more.”

He said he has always tried to just “treat people like they’re people.”

“Treat people like you want to be treated.”

At this time, Elliott isn’t sure of his future plans, but said he believes he’s leaving the department in good hands.

“Derek is one of my closest friends,” Elliott said.

“I’m excited. I have big shoes to fill. It’s bittersweet,” Robbins said. “We are as good of friends as we are co-workers. I am excited about the challenge but I hate to see him go.”

Robbins started in emergency services at the Danville Fire Department in 1997. He eventually went full-time there and became a full-time paramedic with Boyle County EMS.

In 2002, he began working at the Danville Police Department. He moved to the Boyle County Sheriff’s Office in 2005. Robbins was the first K9 officer on the department, working with his dog Tjard.

Robbins said the new job will be different from what he is used to, but “the goal is still the same.”

“We still serve people the best we can,” he said.

With his new position, the chief deputy role will be vacant. Robbins said it is most likely that position will be filled by Capt. Chris Stratton.

Follow Kendra Peek on Instagram, @knpeek.