Photos Provided Harrison County Harrison County sheriff’s Capt. Mark Touville is sworn in as sheriff as his wife Misty stands with him holding the Bible. He will begin in his new position Monday.

CADIZ — Harrison County elected Mark Touville as its next sheriff, and he will start serving the community in his new role on Monday.

Touville became a deputy in 1995, starting in a reserve role, which is a volunteer or part-time paid public safety specialist. In Touville’s case, he worked part-time at the sheriff’s office while he was also a full-time welder. After a position opened a year later, he became a full-time deputy.

Former sheriff Mark Miller promoted Touville to sergeant and then again to lieutenant. After he served as a sergeant and lieutenant for several years, outgoing Sheriff Joe Myers promoted him to captain.

Touville has been with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office for 28 years and has served as a drug investigator and drug enforcement agent for eight years.

Touville said he wanted to run for sheriff because he has been in law enforcement his whole life, and he’s been through every rank there is in the office. He’s worked his way up to leadership roles and believes he has earned it, he said, and apparently the community thinks so, too.

Although he ran unopposed in the primary and general elections, he said he was still excited to hear the news of his election, feeling ecstatic and blessed because he wanted this so badly.

“This has been a lifelong dream of mine,” Touville said. “I started from the complete bottom of the totem pole and worked my way all the way to the top. So that’s why I feel that I’ve earned it.”

Touville plans to serve residents of Harrison County to the best of his ability, like he has always done, he said.

One of the first things Touville will be tasked with is opening the new jail for the sheriff’s office when the construction is completed. That will involve hiring for several positions. The new jail will be located at 978 E. Market St., Cadiz, and connected to the existing former Army Reserve facility.

Touville said the sheriff’s office will always be evolving with the times, and it will adjust to serve the community. The office has a budget it has to work within, so Touville said the office will constantly be changing.

“Law enforcement’s changed over the last 28 years, in the way we do our job and the way that we’re viewed in the public’s perspective,” he said. “A lot of things have changed in those years. We’re constantly evolving.”

Touville ran his campaign on the perspective that he brings to law enforcement, emphasizing teamwork, efficiency, accountability and motivation. He believes a strong belief in teamwork fosters collaboration within the force, enhancing its effectiveness and creating a safer community.

He also places high priority on accountability, he said, holding himself and his team to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. He plans to go above and beyond to protect and serve the community.

Touville is looking forward to his new beginning as sheriff. He has been in a leadership role before, but this is the highest rank he can get in his profession, so he’s looking forward to taking on new responsibilities.

“I prioritize transparency, ensuring that residents are always well informed and actively engaged in the decision-making process, unwavering dedication to building genuine relationships with the community and serve as a foundation for trust and effective policing,” Touville said. “So that’s part of it, commitment to efficiency ensures resources are maximized to their fullest potential, delivering results that benefit the entire community.”

Touville finished his two weeks of sheriff training and will be attending another session in February through the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association. There were 31 new sheriffs in his class, including James Zusack, who will serve as Belmont County’s new sheriff and who Touville said he’s looking forward to working with.

Touville’s first official day as sheriff will be Monday.

“I’ve spent my career looking at that badge, and that’s where I wanted to get, and it worked out,” he said. “I’m just appreciative, humble, very blessed.”