Incoming Marion County Sheriff prepares to take office in January

Nov. 8—FAIRMONT — Roger Cunningham takes over the Marion County Sheriff's office from Sheriff James Riffle in January.

Voters confirmed Cunningham as Marion County's next Sheriff during the Nov. 5 General Election. Cunningham faced no opposition during the election.

"I'm going to continue pursuing our safe schools and as far as our drug dealers — drug problem — we're going to pursue that," Cunningham said on election night. "We're going to aggressively pursue it. We just have to get things squared away and see what I have when I get in there Jan. 1."

Cunningham thanked Marion County voters for their support, as well as family, friends and God for helping him secure the role of Sheriff.

Cunningham said one of his main concerns is taking care of the deputies who work in the Sheriff's Department. Procuring the equipment deputies need is high on Cunningham's list of priorities. Cunningham said he has to familiarize himself with the budget to see what he can accomplish.

Aside from continuing projects Riffle already has in progress as far as school safety is concerned, Cunningham also wants to ensure there's adequate training for his deputies and school board officials on how to handle an active shooter situation. Cunningham also hopes to expand to more schools the AI Gun Detection system installed at Fairmont Senior High.

He also plans to introduce himself to various local government bodies around town, such as the Board of Education and County Commission when he takes office.

Riffle hopes to see Cunningham continue some of the work he put in place the last 8 years.

"Well, certainly the school safety program that we initiated with the Board of Education and Homeland Security, and of course, we've also utilized the other police agencies in the county, as well as fire and EMS," Riffle said. "I would like to see that continue.

"I'd like to see the three deputies that are in the high schools as [school resource officer] continue. We're working on some electronic improvements, some technology improvements within the department that I would like to see progress."

Riffle said he and Cunningham have met informally in different places, but have yet to set a time and place to bring Cunningham to the office. Once scheduled, Riffle will welcome Cunningham and help get familiar with the projects the Sheriff's office is currently running. Of course, Riffle added, once Cunningham takes office, he will make his priorities known and work toward his own goals.

Riffle is looking forward to retiring. He's been doing law enforcement work for 37 years. He said he'll take some time to himself, maybe do some golfing or fishing with his free time. However, the winter months will frustrate those desires until it's warmer again. That said, he and his wife both like to travel.

"Hopefully we'll get to do more of that," he said. "It's going to be bittersweet. I think, when the day arrives, I'm just not sure how I'll react."

Riffle thanked the residents of Marion County for putting their faith and trust in him for the past eight years.

Cunningham said he plans to build a good relationship with the press.

"I want to be very transparent with the press," Cunningham said. "I want to let them know what's going on. If there's anything fluid, ongoing, I'll release as much as I can without interfering with any investigation. But very transparent. Be friendly and let the people know because people do want to know and they have a right to know."

Mary Allen and Jason Smith also joined the County's governmental apparatus on Tuesday night. Allen will become Circuit Court Clerk in January, while Smith will become Assessor next door to the courthouse in the J. Harper Meredith Building. Allen and Smith were both excited to win their races Tuesday night.

Allen couldn't be reached for comment after polls closed as she was away traveling, but Smith spoke about future plans.

Smith said he cares about the role and wants to determine what improvements can be made to enhance efficiency. He also said the role of Assessor should be a nonpartisan position.

"I'm just ready to get in there and do work and learn and do all I can for the great City and great County of Marion," he said.