New sheriff in town: Robbins sworn in as Elliott steps down with two years left in term

Published 2:18 am Friday, September 2, 2016

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.

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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.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Former Boyle County Sheriff Marty Elliott with his wife Bonnie during his retirement party.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Former Boyle County Sheriff Marty Elliott with his wife Bonnie during his retirement party.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Bonnie Elliott, left, Marty Elliott, center, and Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney, right, during the retirement party for the former Sheriff.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Bonnie Elliott, left, Marty Elliott, center, and Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney, right, during the retirement party for the former Sheriff.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Bonnie Elliott, left, Marty Elliott, center, and Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney, right, during the retirement party for the former Sheriff.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Bonnie Elliott, left, Marty Elliott, center, and Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney, right, during the retirement party for the former Sheriff.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins hugs retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott during Elliott's retirement party.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins hugs retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott during Elliott’s retirement party.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins, left, and retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott, right, chat with Mildred Drake, center, a community member and local radio station owner, during Elliott's retirement party.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins, left, and retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott, right, chat with Mildred Drake, center, a community member and local radio station owner, during Elliott’s retirement party.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney, left, with Circuit Court Judge Darren Peckler, center, and retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott, right, before Elliott's retirement party.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney, left, with Circuit Court Judge Darren Peckler, center, and retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott, right, before Elliott’s retirement party.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Circuit Judge Darren Peckler, left, Marty Elliott, center, Bonnie Elliott, right, with Capt. Chris Stratton, background, during Elliott's retirement party.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Circuit Judge Darren Peckler, left, Marty Elliott, center, Bonnie Elliott, right, with Capt. Chris Stratton, background, during Elliott’s retirement party.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Derek Robbins being sworn in as Boyle County Sheriff by Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Derek Robbins being sworn in as Boyle County Sheriff by Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Derek Robbins shakes hands with Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney after being sworn in.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Derek Robbins shakes hands with Boyle County Judge-Executive Harold McKinney after being sworn in.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins hugs retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott just after Robbins is sworn in.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins hugs retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott just after Robbins is sworn in.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins with his wife, Tracy, get a photo taken by her father, Bob Linkous, following the swearing-in ceremony.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins with his wife, Tracy, get a photo taken by her father, Bob Linkous, following the swearing-in ceremony.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins, left, and retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott, right, following Robbins' swearing-in ceremony.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins, left, and retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott, right, following Robbins’ swearing-in ceremony.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins hugs retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott just after Robbins is sworn in, while Robbins's father-in-law Bob Linkous takes their photo.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com
Newly sworn-in Sheriff Derek Robbins hugs retiring Sheriff Marty Elliott just after Robbins is sworn in, while Robbins’s father-in-law Bob Linkous takes their photo.

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com

Kendra Peek/kendra.peek@amnews.com