ROCKY MOUNT -- Franklin County Sheriff-elect Ewell Hunt has done many things to prepare to take office Tuesday.

He has received mandatory training from the state sheriff's association.

He has reorganized the leadership of the office, including adding additional positions.

But as the days tick down until Hunt officially becomes sheriff, he said he can think of only one emotion to describe the feeling.

"Excitement," he said. "This is what I have worked 32 years in the sheriff's office for. This is what my experience has led to. I am ready to take the position and serve the citizens of Franklin County."

Hunt, 52, most recently was a lieutenant in the sheriff's office.

Hunt faced a daunting task in becoming the county's new sheriff -- the first in more than 30 years.

He decided to run for the position after current sheriff and longtime family friend W.Q. "Quint" Overton decided to retire in March after holding the office since 1976. Hunt faced three other men in the race, the stiffest competition coming from Overton's son, Bill, who was a captain in the sheriff's department.

Hunt won by 222 votes.

Hunt said that he and Quint Overton are still friends and that he often seeks his advice. He added that it was difficult running against Bill Overton because of the respect he has for Quint Overton.

"I'm overwhelmed," Hunt said days after the election. "I know it's going to be a tough job, but I know I can handle it."

Quint Overton declined to comment for this story, and Bill Overton could not be reached.

Hunt was a part of a Republican trio that won highly contested state and county seats.

Charles Poindexter defeated Democrat Eric Ferguson and independent Jerry Boothe in the 9th District House of Delegates race. Robert Hurt defeated independent Sherman Witcher in the 19th District state Senate race.

Although he ran as a Republican, Hunt said he wants to leave the politics behind.

"I think, especially in law enforcement, politics don't really matter," Hunt said. "You have to look after the needs of all the citizens in the county."

Since the election, Hunt said he has been busy acclimating himself to the position.

"I set up a transition team to help with the process," said Hunt, adding that getting the sheriff's office nationally accredited will be one of his first priorities.

"I think in six months, everything will be operational and I will have a lot of my goals implemented."

Hunt said he wanted to keep his campaign promises by supporting the substation at Westlake as well as making sure deputies are trained to handle illegal immigrants.

Hunt has a new leadership team in place, including a new chief deputy position and new supervisor positions.

Hunt declined to name the new deputies because that information had not been released to the department. Bill Overton will not return to the sheriff's office, according to Hunt.

"I feel that this is the best staff that will help me implement all the changes I campaigned on," Hunt said. "I know it's cliche, but I want to hit the ground running."

While Hunt will have the power to name deputies to leadership positions within the department, new county policies will limit him from arbitrarily changing other positions within the department, according to county Administrator Richard Huff.

The sheriff's office has a staff of 24 deputies, four civil processors, five investigators and a supervisor, 27 jailers and bailiffs, 13 dispatchers and four secretaries. It is the primary law enforcement agency for Franklin County. Rocky Mount and Boones Mill have smaller town police departments.

"It used to be the sheriff had full autonomy over the office and employees served at his whim," Huff said. "That left employees in the sheriff's department with no protection. The supervisors felt it was important that everyone be under the same umbrella."

Hunt said he is pleased with the new policy.

"I think this will give employees in the sheriff's office a standard that is equal to county employees," he said.

Huff said he foresees a comfortable transition from Quint Overton to Hunt.

"I've known Ewell since 1983, and he has always been easy to work with," Huff said. "I look forward to having our sheriff's office accredited."

Poindexter said Overton provided years of professional service to the county and he knew Hunt would, too.

"The sheriff brought an outstanding group of individuals to the department," Poindexter said. "They were second to none. I think Ewell will bring that same type of professionalism to the department. He's hardworking and honest."

Hunt, who has been in the sheriff's department since Overton came to office, said he learned much from the retiring sheriff.

"I appreciate the opportunity he's given me over the years in law enforcement," Hunt said. "He's been a good teacher and mentor. He's brought some great traditions to the department that I will keep."

One of those traditions, Hunt said, included overall community visibility.

"I'm going to go to as many functions as possible and meet as many people as possible," Hunt said. "I want people to know that my door is always open."