There won’t be a new sheriff in town, at least not for another four years.

Incumbent Macon County Sheriff Mark Gammons isn’t going anywhere, voters overwhelmingly decided.

Gammons was elected Thursday, Aug. 5, to a second four-year term.

Running as an Independent, Gammons defeated Republican challenger and Red Boiling Springs Police Chief Terry Tuck in the County General Election.

Final vote count: Gammons 3,472, Tuck 1,786.

After results were posted by the Macon County Election Commission, Tuck approached Gammons and shook his hand. Tuck congratulated Gammons on the win.

Born and raised in Macon County, Gammons is a graduate of Macon County High School and the father of three children – two daughters and a son.

He has 14 years of law enforcement experience, beginning in 1996 as a deputy with the Macon County Sheriff’s Department. He was promoted to patrol sergeant in 1999 and held that position until 2004, at which point he was promoted to investigator and worked felony crime cases.

Gammons left the sheriff’s department in 2005 to work as police commander and investigator with the Westmoreland Police Department, and he held that position until being elected to his first term as sheriff in August 2006.

Throughout his first term, Gammons said he made top-quality, specialized training for all deputies a top priority. Doing so, Gammons said, enables the sheriff’s department to work criminal investigations efficiently and to the best of their collective abilities.

Gammons has worked to maintain the state inmate level at the county jail, which provides about $800,000 a year in revenue.

Other highlights from Gammons’ first term included purchasing two K-9 drug dogs at no cost to taxpayers, restructuring inmate healthcare and starting DUI and drug awareness programs for both county high schools. The awareness programs, consisting of a reconstructed accident to raise awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving, are held the week of prom at Macon County and Red Boiling Springs high schools.