Photo by Derek Redd From left, New Ohio County Sheriff's Deputy Devin Milbert, Sheriff Nelson Croft and new deputy Mason Parsons celebrate Parsons and Milbert being sworn into the sheriff's office Thursday.

The joy Ohio County Sheriff Nelson Croft felt Thursday in swearing in two new deputies to the force was boosted by another fact — those new deputies bring his office to full staff.

“When I was elected, the county commission asked me to right-size my department,” Croft said. “Thankfully, they’ve allowed me to do that.”

New deputies Mason Parsons and Devin Milbert were just as excited to join the sheriff’s office. They and their families gathered at a fifth-floor courthouse at the City-County Building in downtown Wheeling to mark the milestone. Both said they were ready to make a difference in the community.

Parsons said it was the realization of a dream since childhood.

“I’ve wanted to be in law enforcement my whole life,” he said. “This is a huge accomplishment. something I’ve strived for my entire life and I’m super happy to make it happen.”

Milbert said his arrival carries on a family tradition.

“I worked here through college and I’ve had multiple family members work in the building,” he said. “I figured it would be the best fit.”

Croft admitted there was some relief with this swearing-in ceremony. He’s anticipating his office having some steadiness for a while.

“I have no one that’s talking retirement for another couple of years,” he said, “so hopefully we’ll keep them here.”