Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Mark Gerrells is sworn-in as Sheriff of Rabun County on Thursday morning to fulfill the 2021-2024 term.
Sheriff-elect Mark Gerrells was sworn in on Thursday, Oct. 3 to finish the 2021-2024 term of sheriff.
Probate Judge Carlton H. Jones, III administered the Oath of Office in his courtroom Thursday morning.
Jones said in remarks prior to the Oath being taken that after much consulting with other officials, "we're confident we followed the law," when it comes to Gerrells being sworn-in.
Gerrells will have to be sworn in again in January assuming he is elected on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The Republican candidate faces no opposition on the ballot or from a write-in.
Gerrells took a loyalty oath along with the sheriff's oath on Thursday.
Major Beth Darnell had been acting with the duties and responsibilities of the sheriff since June following the May 31 arrest and suspension of Sheriff Chad Nichols.
Darnell hired Mark Anthony Gerrells back at the Rabun County Sheriff's Office and on Oct. 2, Darnell appointed Mark Anthony Gerrells as Chief Deputy, according to documents obtained by The Clayton Tribune.
That same day, Darnell tendered her resignation from the duties and responsibilities of the sheriff.
Darnell is still Major overseeing operations of the Rabun County Detention Center.
"I bring transparency and professionalism back to a noble profession," Gerrells told The Clayton Tribune following his swearing-in as sheriff.
Read next week's Thursday, Oct. 10 edition of The Clayton Tribune for the full story.