ADAMS COUNTY - Adams County Undersheriff John Hunt was appointed the county's sheriff following the retirement of Doug Barger, who served as sheriff since 2002.

Hunt, who has been undersheriff since 2007, took over as sheriff Sept. 1 following an unanimous approval from Adams County commissioners. Hunt was the only applicant to apply for the position.

Hunt started as a deputy in Adams County in 1989 and was promoted to sergeant in 2002. He ran for sheriff in the 2002 election, falling to Barger, who announced his retirement back in July and served his last day Aug. 31.

Hunt has been busy his first week, working to fill some open positions in the department.

"We were down about four positions for awhile, so we've been running really short-handed," he said. "One of my priorities is to find and recruit and hire some good quality people, which I think we've taken some steps (to do so) in the last couple days."

Hunt said the department is still down two positions with the possibility of another position opening up.

Hunt will also have to name his replacement as undersheriff, something he said will be done shortly. He added he has not made any official decision yet.

Another department priority is to continue upgrading the radio system to a more reliable digital system that was put in place last year, Hunt said.

Hunt was sworn into office Monday and will serve as sheriff until the 2014 election. He said he plans to run for the four-year term.

Hunt has lived in Ritzville for almost 30 years, working for the City of Ritzville prior to serving for the Adams County Sheriff's Office.