BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — There is a new certified sheriff’s deputy in Martin County. Deputy Jonathan Holbrook officially started work Monday for Sheriff John Kirk’s office.

Holbrook, 33, of Paintsville, previously worked 10 years for the Paintsville Police Department.

“I came over and talked with them, and it just seems like a fit for me,” Holbrook said of his new job. “I’m excited to be here, to meet the people and learn the county.”

Sheriff Kirk was pleased to have Holbrook.

“This is something we’ve needed for a long time,” Kirk said.

The sheriff hopes to hire another certified deputy within the next few days.

“We’ve had one that showed some interest,” said Kirk. “Hopefully we can hire a certified deputy and possibly one that is not certified and give them a chance to go to the academy.”

Kirk expressed his gratitude that Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty included the sheriff’s office in the county’s new CARES program, a plan for spending opioid settlement funds.

“The opioid money is what allowed us to do this,” added Kirk. “We can get new deputies up and running and will be able to curb crime and provide the service that the people deserve.”

The new deputy will work the day shift until he learns the county, then go to the third shift.

“We want 24-hour coverage,” noted the sheriff.