BUCKHANNON – Mark Davis was sworn in as an Upshur County Magistrate Friday.  

Davis will start his new position Tuesday, Feb. 16, but he has been working with other magistrates to get the lay of the land.

“It’s a big change, looking at it from this side, there’s been a lot a lot of things I’ve learned in the last three weeks to a month from shadowing with other magistrates, but it’s a lot of decision-making, and a lot of responsibility,” Davis said. “That can be said with my former job as a policeman, but it’s a different way of looking at it and [there are different] things you have to take into consideration.”

Davis previously held the positions of chief deputy and captain for the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, but decided he wasn’t done working yet.

“The opportunity came up and I got offered the appointment after I retired from the sheriff’s office, but I love serving the community here, and I have for 34 years and I’m not finished serving the community,” Davis said. “I wanted to take a chance to be able to do that and do it in different capacity. I think it’s going to work out well, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Davis said his priority will be to settle into his new role and then work on the caseload that has built up due to COVID-19.

“Right now, I’m just getting in and getting settled, and just taking the cases as they come, one by one, and giving the best judgment, and making sure I give each case my best effort and treat people fair,” Davis said. “I think COVID has everything backed up, but we’re going to sit down, and we’re going to look at each case. We’ll take them on one at a time, and we’ll get to them worked out.”

He said he is looking forward to starting his new role.

“I’m just excited about being back to serve this county,” Davis said. “It’s always been an honor to me and it’s even more honor now. It’s one of the greatest times in my life right now, and I’m just looking forward to being an active part of this community in this position.”