Friends, family, campaign organizers and all the deputies and employees of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office gathered at the courthouse to witness the swearing into office of Sheriff Ernie Coleman.

Coleman joined Superior Court Judge Wayland Sermons Jr. at the front of the courtroom and, hand on a Bible, promised to uphold the office to which he’d been elected. Coleman was joined by his wife Gloria and daughter Candice during his swearing in, which was quickly followed by Sermons’ installation of BCSO deputies, detention officers and staff.

“I will work hard in the next six months to earn the same respect you gave your last sheriff,” Coleman said to the assembled BCSO employees.

Coleman took the time to thank those how helped his two-year-long campaign for sheriff and told deputies that he would be meeting with division commanders shortly to get up to speed. He assured deputies that support of any other candidate leading up to the election and individual political affiliation has no bearing on their welcome in the sheriff’s office.

“If you’re here now and you just got sworn in, I want you here, and I want you here tomorrow,” Coleman said. “I’ve done some homework and you’re a good bunch of people.”

Coleman also announced the promotion of Major Charlie Rose, who will serve as interim chief deputy until a replacement is found. Rose was promoted from Captain of Patrol Division. Major Kenneth Watson, former spokesman for the sheriff’s office, and Chief Deputy Kit Campbell were not sworn in Monday, which Coleman said is standard — to shake up the standing hierarchy — as demonstrated by his predecessors Red Davis, Nelson Sheppard and, most recently, Alan Jordan.

Coleman said change would be coming, but he planned to stick to the same professional standards as Jordan, who declined to run for sheriff for a fifth term.

Earlier, Marty Paramore was sworn in for a third term as Beaufort County Clerk of Court. Paramore made a point of thanking his staff for their work.

“I invited my staff and I really didn’t invite anyone else,” Paramore told his clerks office staff. “You’re the reason I’m standing here today, so thank you for standing with me.”

New Beaufort County commissioners Ron Buzzeo and Frankie Waters, along with returning commissioner Ed Booth, were sworn in shortly before the commissioners meeting at 5 p.m. Monday.