WINTON – There’s a new sheriff in town.

The Hertford County Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Dexter Hayes to fulfill the unexpired term of former Sheriff Juan Vaughan during a very brief meeting here Monday night.

Immediately after the board’s vote, the new interim sheriff, most of the county’s deputy sheriffs and the audience travelled to a courtroom where Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Cy Grant administered the oath office to Sheriff Hayes and then to all his deputies, en masse.

Following his swearing-in ceremony, Sheriff Hayes said he has great faith in his creator.

“I trust in God,” he said. “I’m truly blessed. I love the sheriff’s office and the people I serve with.”

In his brief comments, Sheriff Hayes thanked his wife and family and said, “I love this county. I was born and raised in St. John. I’m going to protect this county.

“There’s nothing else I’d rather do,” Hayes said, “I love what I do and I love serving the people of Hertford County. I’m going to be the very best sheriff I can be. Thank you very much.”

Sheriff Juan Vaughan won his reelection for another four-year term in 2014, but announced his retirement on Sept. 6, leaving two years left on his fifth term in office that ends in 2018.

According to North Carolina General Statutes, the decision to name an interim Sheriff is left in the hands of the five members of the Hertford County Board of Commissioners.

The commissioners accepted letters of interest from Hertford County citizens desiring to fill the remaining two years on Vaughan’s unexpired term of office.

Those letters were accepted through Sept. 14 and then reviewed by each commissioner. The board interviewed the finalists in closed session.

Monday night was the culmination of the search and appointment process.

Hayes was serving as lieutenant in the Sheriff’s Office at the time of his appointment. He was the Chief Detective in the Criminal Investigations Division of the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office.