Koon becomes Lexington County sheriff

Jay Koon became Lexington County’s new sheriff Tuesday after winning an election in which he was the only candidate.

Koon, 42, formally claimed the post after unofficially winning it at a four-candidate showdown at the March 3 Republican primary election.

At the vote Tuesday – required even though no one else ran – Koon received 3,968 votes, with another 259 cast as write-ins for others, according to unofficial results.

He is slated to be sworn in Friday to serve through 2016.

Koon, formerly assistant police chief in the town of Lexington, spent the past seven weeks preparing to become the county’s top lawman.

He met regularly with retiring Sheriff Lewis McCarty to review operations of the 500-member staff and develop a transition that awaits the naming of top aides.

McCarty held the post for 10 months.

He served temporarily after his appointment following the indictment and guilty plea of former longtime Sheriff James Metts to a federal charge of interfering in the processing of two illegal immigrants at the county jail in 2011.

The turnout of 4,227 voters Tuesday was less than 3 percent of the county’s nearly 164,000 voters, officials said.

Meanwhile, Lt. Matt Davis has been promoted to assistant police chief in Lexington to replace Koon.

Davis has held a series of roles during 18 years in law enforcement with the town force, serving as special operations commander since 2012.

He was chosen for his experience and vision for progress, Police Chief Terrence Green said.

This story was originally published April 21, 2015 at 11:39 PM with the headline "Koon becomes Lexington County sheriff."