New Mingo sheriff wants to work on county morale

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Veteran Mingo County sheriff’s deputy James Smith has been elevated to county sheriff. He was chosen Monday by the Mingo County Commission.

Smith replaces Rosie Crum who held the post for a few months following the April shooting death of her husband Sheriff Eugene Crum.

Smith has been a deputy for 13 years. He lost to Crum in the 2012 Primary Election.

Sheriff Smith said Monday his top priority would be to continue to fight drugs in Mingo County and he also said he’ll work to improve morale. He said a dark cloud has been hanging over the county since Sheriff Crum’s death and the recent federal indictment of Judge Michael Thornsbury and county Commissioner Dave Baisden.