June 21, 2021 – Today at 11 am, Jim Root was sworn in as the Macon County Sheriff. After a tumultuous 2018 election, Sheriff Root will now take over Sheriff duties until the next election in 14 months.
“It has been a long process, and he (Tony Brown) couldn’t have said it better…if we put our differences aside and focus on what we have in common, we should be able to accomplish a lot more,” said Root. “I offer anybody in this community access to reach out to our office if there is anything we can do as a department or as leaders in the community to help this community heal.”
When asked about his main mission for his term, Root mentioned the implementation of body cameras. Root said the department has had the body cameras since 2017, but they have yet to be put into use.
Root was asked about his plans for the next election cycle. “I don’t want to get ahead and look at 2022 yet. I don’t want to announce anything or do anything. Obviously, I want to make sure we have a smooth transition and that is my focus right now.”
Also in attendance was Tony Brown, Root’s opponent in the 2018 election.
“Anyone that ever wants to doubt district 61, this here is proof. Jim and I graduated high school together in 1986 at Eisenhower high school, so DPS proud,” said Brown. “If you keep looking in the rearview mirror, you’re going to crash into something. That election was in 2018. In order for us to continue to move forward, we have to look forward.”
Brown announced his retirement from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office on June 4th, which will be effective June 28th.
