Douglas County family and friends filled the room as the Eighteenth Judicial District Court Judge Theresa Slade administered the oath of office for elected officials on Jan. 10. 

With dozens of men and women in uniform there for support, Darren Weekly was officially sworn in as Douglas County’s 34th Sheriff. 

“To the citizens of Douglas County, for those of you who voted for me, thank you for believing in me,” said Weekly. “For those who didn’t, I look forward to earning your trust and support moving forward, regardless of your party affiliation.”

While addressing the citizens of Douglas County, Weekly said Douglas County is at a crossroads as it is “no longer a quiet, suburban and rural community where not much happens.”

In addition to supporting all those who serve  the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Weekly promised to keep citizens, homes, schools and businesses of the county safe. In collaboration with the district's attorney’s office, he promised to ensure that justice is served and victims rights are protected. 

“My deputies will relentlessly, morally, ethically and legally track down those who chose to prey on our community and victimize our citizens,” said Weekly. 

Weekly also promised that inmates who are incarcerated in the Douglas County detention facility will be treated with dignity and their medical and mental health needs will be met with a clean, safe and healthy environment. 

Although the ceremony was for elected officials, Weekly requested and took the opportunity to swear in Dave Walcher as his undersheriff. 

Brown becomes coroner

Newly elected official, Raeann Brown, was sworn in to serve as the county’s coroner. As she stood next to her grandfather and placed her hand on the Bible, Brown was overcome with emotion. 

“This has been a very long road but some of the best times of my life,” said Brown. “It’s such an honor and a privilege to be able to take these offices to serve you, the citizens of Douglas County and we are all very humbled and excited to do the job that you elected us to do.”

Other offices

Also sworn in were Assessor Toby Damisch; Clerk and Recorder Sheri Davis; and Surveyor Darrell E. Roberts. 

Damisch has worked with Douglas County for the past few years and thanked the previous assessors for creating an office that is “transparent, efficient, and cost effective and above all, incredibly competent.” 

Both Davis and Roberts have been working for Douglas County for over 20 years. 

“It is an honor and I am so humbled to be able to serve the public in this role,” said Davis. 

Re-elected District 1 County Commissioner Abe Laydon recalled some of the achievements the county made as a public service. These included the partnership with other governments to create greater security for kids in school, the creation of its own health department and the funding of the police. 

The ceremony also recognized re-elected Treasurer Dave Gill who was officially sworn into his second term on Dec. 30, 2022.