In a packed courtroom at the Chilton County Courthouse Tuesday morning, John Shearon was officially sworn in as the new sheriff for Chilton County.

“I am incredibly humbled right now,” an emotional Shearon said after being sworn in and turning to face a crowd applauding him. “This means a great deal to me.”

Shearon was sworn in by Chilton County District Judge Rhonda Hardesty after 11 a.m., and then Hardesty re-deputized officers in the department.

“I am so proud to see this crowd,” Hardesty said before swearing Shearon in. “I don’t think I have ever seen so many people in this courtroom.”

Hardesty said she talked prior to the ceremony with Shearon and told him how “humbling” it is to know that people went to the polls to vote for him to serve as sheriff.

Shearon stood next to his wife, Lisa, and placed his left hand on a family Bible while he took his oath to be sheriff.

“My shoulders got a lot heavier this morning,” Shearon said. “We have a lot of work to do to make this department the best it can be, but if we all work together, we can make a difference.”

Shearon called on the residents of the community to pray for him and his deputies as they often face difficult situations while protecting the community.

“We want to do what is right,” Shearon said. “Oftentimes, we are faced with situations where we don’t always have a lot of time to think or prepare, so I would ask you all to remember to pray for us.”

Shearon also said he hoped everyone would know that he will always be willing to listen to the individuals of the community.

“I want to be a sheriff you can talk to,” Shearon said. “If there is anything we can do, call us and let us know.”

Shearon also introduced his chief deputy Gerald Mims during the ceremony.

Shearon defeated incumbent Kevin Davis in the June 2014 Republican Party Primary.

Shearon received about 55 percent of the vote in that election to Davis’ 45 percent.

Shearon ran against Davis in 2010 and forced a Primary Election runoff with Davis but eventually lost.

In November, Shearon received 8,225 votes (71.7 percent), against Independent candidate Eddie Price, who received 1,705 votes, and Democratic candidate Terry Wilson, who received 1,541 votes.

Shearon is a former sheriff’s department employee and previously worked at the Calera Police Department.

He lives in Clanton with his wife, Lisa, and children, Paul and Ashley.

A reception was held immediately following the ceremony on Tuesday.