Michael Bunn is officially in as the new probate judge of Pike County.

An investiture ceremony was held at the Pike County Courthouse Tuesday morning for Bunn to formally take his oath of office, administered by Judge William Hightower.

“Whether you’re here for a tag or to take care of your mother’s estate or to take care of a family member, we’re going to be there to take care of you,” Bunn told the packed crowd in the courtroom. “That’s our job … If we’re not we’re not working well with you, if we’re not taking care of you, the citizens of Pike County, we’re not doing our job. We’re going to make sure that we do our job each and every day.”

Bunn said it is also an important part of the job to ensure that the probate office works with the commission, sheriff’s department and all other county offices.

Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Bunn to fill the seat after former probate judge Wes Allen was elected last week to represent District 89 in the Alabama House of Representatives. Allen was sworn in to the legislature and could not, by law, fill both seats.

Bunn defeated Alton Starling in the Republican primary on June 5 and has been the uncontested judge-elect for the seat since that time; his name was the only name on the ballot for the position during last week’s election.