OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. -- After eight years as Ohio County's Chief Deputy, Pat Butler will soon move into the department's top seat, as the county's sheriff.

He's walking into the new position at a time when budgets across the board are tight and he acknowledges it will be one of the obstacles he'll face as sheriff.

"You have to be prudent with your finances and you have to be responsible and respectful when you ask for raises for your employees. And they have to understand what situation the county's in and the whole country's in," he said.

Butler said he'll focus heavily on training, not only for the deputies, but for the tax office.

“We want to update the tax side, as far as being computer and citizen friendly as far as their accounts are concerned and taxes," he said.

Butler also said he'll continue to effort what current Sheriff Tom Burgoyne has done, detaining illegal aliens, and getting drugs off the streets.

Butler reflected on his tough campaign schedule, late nights, early mornings and seemingly endless appointments and said it all paid off in one moment Monday.

"It's kind of surreal because I never imagined eight years ago I’d be running for sheriff but I’m glad I did," Butler said.

He’ll take office Jan. 1.