Henry County Public Safety Director Steve Eanes has been named chief deputy of the beleaguered county sheriff's office.

Eanes, 51, said he is ready to help lead the department into better times following the indictment of the former sheriff and a dozen of his men.

The chief deputy job was vacated by James Harold Keaton, who has been charged with obstruction, perjury and stealing firearms from evidence. Interim Sheriff Lane Perry announced Keaton's replacement on Thursday.

Eanes, a native of Henry County, has a long background in public safety.

After several years as a firefighter, he worked as a deputy in Henry County and a patrolman in Martinsville.

In 1988, he became a fire marshal for Henry County, a job he held until he became public safety director in 1996.

Eanes will start his new position in mid-January.

"I've known most of the guys for a long time, and there are some great officers over there," Eanes said. "I want to get in and try to rebuild the perception and reputation of the department and get it back better than it was."

-- Lindsey Nair