With Chief Deputy Dennis Riley retiring after 30 years of service Wednesday, somebody had to fill the role of second-in-command.

Sgt. Loren “Buck” Williams has gotten the call to step in and pick up where Riley left off.

“Buck is a good Christian person,” said Sheriff Russell Thomas. “He is always doing the right thing, he treats people fairly, he’s not quick to react. Whatever situation he is in, he makes good choices. Buck will do a fine job as chief deputy.”

Williams first started at the county jail at 18 years old before becoming a deputy and has been with the department ever since.

“I started in May of 1999 fresh out of high school – I had literally just graduated,” Williams said. “I’d always wanted to be in law enforcement. There was a lot of respect for law enforcement and I had always admired them and looked up to them.”

As chief deputy, Williams would serve as the sheriff when Thomas is out and would preside over payroll, personnel, inventory and IT among other duties.

Williams said Riley was actually one of his first law enforcement influences.

“He would stop by when I was growing up would visit my family,” Williams said. “He’s been with me since the beginning … We’re going to miss him a lot. I hope I can live up to how he did things.”

Thomas said Williams has been a man of many hats in the department and has all the skills necessary to serve as chief deputy.

“Buck has served as a school resource officer and patrol deputy, he has served papers, answered calls, worked investigations – pretty much everything you can do in a sheriff’s department,” Thomas said. “He currently handles all of our IT needs; he handles body camera and video reports that go in. That’s a daily chore looking after data.”

Williams said following Riley will be tough, but he’s ready to get to work.

“It’s just another step up of responsibility,” Williams said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge.”