Members of the Harrison County Sheriff's Office bow for a word of prayer as newly-elected Sheriff Brandon "BJ" Fletcher prepares to administer the oath of office to them Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, on the courthouse square in downtown Marshall.

MARSHALL — The New Year saw a changing of the guard for the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office as newly elected Sheriff Brandon “BJ” Fletcher took his oath of office before a courtroom of family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers — at the stroke of midnight.

“It’s a rather historic occasion in the history of Harrison County,” outgoing and retiring sheriff Tom McCool said as he welcomed people to the event inside the courthouse.

“It is an honor for me to conduct this as my last official act as sheriff,” McCool said. “Sheriff Fletcher, taking the oath of office will be his first official act as your sheriff of Harrison County.”

As he prepared to administer the oath of office to the new sheriff, McCool asked Lt. Hilton Poindexter to offer a prayer. Poindexter obliged and asked God to be with Fletcher as he leads and guides the department.

“We ask that you give him the wisdom and the courage,” Poindexter said.

He also prayed for Fletcher’s family, his wife Lauren and their two daughters Kaylee and Kynlee — who were all present.

“We ask that you protect us, men and women of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and all law enforcement,” Poindexter prayed.

Following the oath, Lauren Fletcher pinned on her husband’s official badge.

“It is our hope and our belief that you will wear this with dignity and pride, honor and humility,” McCool said.

“Oh, wow,” Fletcher said after the oath.

As he congratulated outgoing sheriff McCool on his retirement, Fletcher reflected on how he said his own career has become full circle.

“Twenty years ago tonight, we stood downstairs. I came up here with my dad as a kid that was about (to start) a journey in the Harrison County Jail. Hearing Sheriff McCool talk, I knew him, but not closely back then, and I didn’t know that he would be swearing me into his office 20 years later.

“It’s funny how things work out,” Fletcher beamed.

The new sheriff said he’s enjoyed his years at the sheriff’s office and looks forward to many more serving Harrison County.

“I’m not anywhere near tired yet,” Fletcher said. “We’re just getting started, and I look forward to the days ahead for our county.

“Sheriff McCool has built a wonderful department, and has really made my transition easy as it can be. He’s been a great mentor to me. He’s always taken care of me. And I’ll never forget how I got here. I appreciate that,” he said.

Fletcher introduced his new administrative team — Chief Deputy Hall Reavis and CID (Criminal Investigations Division) and Patrol Captain Tyler Owen.

“I think the world of both of these men,” Fletcher said. “They are truly something special to me. They will help us go to that next level.”

Fletcher then swore in the pair, along with his graveyard shift.

“I’ve never been prouder in my life of a group of people that have come so far,” the new sheriff said. “This is probably the proudest day of my life. Next to my family, I can’t think of a bigger accomplishment that I could’ve done. I couldn’t be happier.