photo by: Derek Redd

Ohio County’s magistrates were sworn in Monday for new terms. Pictured are, from left, Magistrate Janine Varner, Magistrate Kevin Stryker, Magistrate Patricia Murphy, First Circuit Court Judge David Sims and Magistrate Tom Howard.

Ohio County Sheriff Tom Howard wasn’t going to let a little thing like shoulder surgery keep him from raising his right hand to be sworn in as Ohio County’s newest magistrate.

Howard had surgery just last week, and ended the magistrate courtroom with his right arm wrapped in a brace. That brace quickly came off as he stood before 1st Circuit Judge David Sims to swear his oath.

Howard was one of four magistrates sworn in Monday morning. The other three — Janine Varner, Patricia Murphy and Kevin Stryker — are returning for another term. Howard will start his first.

Howard said he’s feeling both nervous and excited for his new role.

“Just leaving law enforcement and then stepping over into a whole new position, it’s going to be different,” he said. “Almost 34 years in law enforcement, I’m stepping into a new role.”

Yet he won’t be entering that new role blind. Thirty-four years in law enforcement has allowed him to build strong relationships with pretty much everyone he’ll be working with as a new magistrate. He said he has good relationships with the veteran magistrates, a good relationship with both the prosecutor and public defender’s offices and a great relationship with incoming Sheriff Nelson Croft, who has been Howard’s chief deputy.

“It’s great that I know everybody,” he said. “It’s not like I’m coming in and going, ‘Oh, this is all brand new to me.’ All the stuff we’re doing in magistrate court, I’ve been doing for 30-plus years.

“It’s going to be an easy transition,” Howard added. “There’s some new stuff. Everybody has to learn new stuff. But it’ll be an easy transition working through this.”

Varner said the other magistrates will be ready to help Howard in any way they can. Transitions into new jobs can be nerve-wracking, she said, and all the magistrates operate as a team.

“We are a team,” she said. “And it’s nice when folks who are in the (law enforcement) realm know that. We help each other. It’s not an easy position and we do lean on each other.”

While Howard is retiring from the sheriff’s office, he didn’t want to retire from public service completely. He said he’s ready to offer his expertise in this new landscape.

“I enjoy working,” he said. “That’s why I wanted to run for magistrate, so I can continue my service and take care of and be fair and impartial to the residents of Ohio County and others.”