Pubdate: Tue, 05 Dec 2006
Source: Daily Times, The (MD)
Copyright: 2006 The Daily Times
Contact: http://www.delmarvanow.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.thedailytimesonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/116
Author: Joseph Gidjunis

THERE'S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN

Mike Lewis Takes the Reins

SALISBURY -- A proud and energetic Mike Lewis took the Wicomico 
County sheriff oath shortly after 4 p.m. Monday with family, friends 
and about 75 deputies close by.

Wicomico County State's Attorney Davis Ruark said Lewis became 
sheriff by defining himself as a good man who will fight evil across 
the county. After taking the oath, Lewis said he is eager to work 
with his deputies and the County Council.

"You all make me so proud. The last eight months have been a very 
long road," Lewis said addressing his deputies. "I commend you for 
your diligence and being strong through this tough time."

The audience offered six standing ovations during the hour-long ceremony.

He said one of his priorities would be to fight drugs and he cited 
the county's drug court as an effective rehabilitation program. He 
challenged his deputies to curtail drugs, which are directly or 
indirectly related to 86 percent of all crime, he added.

On the Wicomico High School Auditorium stage with Lewis to accept the 
honor was his wife, Denise, and two children, Adam and Ally. His 
parents, Bob and Jean, also sat with him.

"We're so happy for him," Bob Lewis said about his son who has wanted 
to be in law enforcement since high school. "Wicomico is due for a 
change and we're going to see some of the best changes in a long time."

Lewis was elected sheriff last month with nearly 70 percent of the 
vote. He had served as a Maryland state trooper for more than two 
decades. He replaces R. Hunter Nelms, who after 22 years retired last week.

"He took a Sheriff's Office with about 17 officers with three rooms 
in the basement and turned it into a fine law enforcement agency," 
Ruark said about Nelms. "There is no doubt in my mind that Mike Lewis 
will do more. He will lead by example."
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