NEW BOSTON, Texas Bowie County Sheriff Jeff Neal and four other officials were sworn in before a gathering of friends, family and media Friday morning at the courthouse.
Neal, who has served as the county's chief deputy for the last seven years, was encouraged to run for the county's top law enforcement spot by James Prince, the longtime sheriff who retired Thursday.
Neal has served in law enforcement for 31 years.
Others sworn in include constables Russell Crawford and Chad Ford. Also, Precinct 1 Commissioner Sammy Stone and Precinct 3 Commissioner James Strain took their oaths of office during the ceremony.