OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) -- Ohio County Sheriff Nelson Croft began his duties when he was sworn into office Friday.

Croft won the election in November against Ohio County Resource Officer and West Liberty University Police Officer John Haglock.

Croft said he has spent a significant amount of time around the sheriff's office since childhood and made it his goal to one day become sheriff. After more than 25 years of experience in the department, he said he reached his lifelong goal.

"The Sheriff's Office was kind of my second home, including the old county jail, which I have vivid memories of," Croft said. "This has been something that I wanted to do, and I set my goals. There were times when I kind of questioned it, but here we are. I kept at it, and here we are."

Sheriff Croft said one of his main goals while in office is to tackle the drug epidemic. Kent Lewis was also sworn in and officially began his duties as chief deputy.