Shelby County has a new sheriff for the first time in 12 years.

With about 300 onlookers and well-wishers on hand and his wife, Pam, at his side holding the Bible, new Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry took the oath of office from Circuit Court Judge Al Crowson last Sunday at the Shelby County Courthouse.

Curry succeeds retiring Sheriff James Jones, who served as chief deputy for 10-and-a-half years and as sheriff for the past 12 years.

&uot;I am just humbled by what I see here,&uot; said Curry. &uot;I’m in a position I never set out to achieve.&uot;

The new sheriff said he joined the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office initially as a volunteer deputy.

He has worked with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for 22 years and became chief deputy in 2001. He was a reserve deputy from 1980 until 1990 and served as a captain from 1991-2001.

Curry said he has lived in Shelby County for 30 years and that it gives him &uot;good reason to wake up every morning and know that I’m here to serve you.&uot;

He said he wants his to become the best sheriff’s department in the state and after that, the Southeast.

Of Curry’s election to succeed him, Jones said he believes &uot;God places people where he wants them to be.&uot;

Along with Curry, 47 sheriff’s deputies were also given the oath of office on Jan. 19.

Curry used the oath occasion to introduce as chief deputy, former Tuscaloosa assistant chief of police R. John Samaniego and captains Wayne Watts, jail commander; Richard Fox, investigations commander; Chris Corbell, operations commander; and Stan Chapman, in charge of the uniform division.

Curry officially became sheriff on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 12:01 a.m