It’s official: There’s a new sheriff in Freeborn County.

Bob Kindler and five other elected county officials took oaths to serve their county, state and nation at a swearing-in ceremony Monday morning at the Freeborn County Courthouse.

Kindler won the sheriff’s race during the Nov. 2 general election, defeating incumbent Mark Harig.

Harig, who spent 38 years with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office — the past eight of those as sheriff — has retired from law enforcement.

Gene Arnold, who served as chief deputy under Harig, has stepped back into his position as a detective.

Kindler said he does not plan to name a chief deputy immediately because he would like to get this position classified before making the appointment.

In the past, chief deputy has not been classified as a rank to determine pay or responsibilities but was an appointment made by the sheriff in title only; the duties were as assigned by the sheriff. Arnold served as second-in-command to Harig.

Kindler said until an appointment is made, he will rely on the detective supervisors by seniority to act as second-in-command if necessary. He expects to make an appointment for chief deputy in February.

The first piece of business, Kindler said, is to move forward on hiring replacements for the patrol squad and the jail, as approved by county commissioners on Dec. 21.

Freeborn County Auditor-Treasurer Dennis Distad performed the ceremony, which included each official taking their oath of office and signing the certificate of election. Distad records the certificates with the county recorder, and then returns the original certificates to each elected official.

Also participating in the ceremony were Freeborn County District 4 Commissioner Christopher Shoff, Freeborn County District 2 Commissioner Dan Belshan and Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson, all incumbents who ran uncontested in the general election.

Newly-elected Freeborn County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors, Colin Wittmer in District 4 and Paul Heers, Jr., in District 3, also participated in Monday’s swearing-in event.

After elected officials participated in the ceremony, 15 sheriff’s deputies took their oath to serve under Kindler. Freeborn County Court Administrator Kristi Maiers performed this portion of the event.

Elected county officials who did not attend the swearing-in event were expected to sign their certificates of election with Distad’s office later on Monday, as were the sheriff’s deputies not in attendance.