Randolph County Sheriff's Office hires new deputy
<span>The Randolph County Sheriff's Office has a new face in its ranks, as 29-year-old Jonathan Barbour was recently hired as a full-time deputy.</span>
<span>Barbour, who was an officer with the Steeleville Police Department for five years, had his first day in his new role on Tuesday.</span>
<span>"He's the first deputy we've hired in seven years," said Randolph County Sheriff Shannon Wolff. "He's a deputy coroner, firefighter and EMT. He's just going to make a great addition; he's a great police officer and a great person."</span>
<span>Barbour, who is the son of Steeleville Fire Chief Carlos Barbour, becomes the ninth deputy at the department. His stepmother, Janice Barbour, is also a deputy.</span>
<span>"I'm really excited to work with the Sheriff's Office," Barbour said. "It's been a goal of mine since high school. I went on a ride-along with (Deputy) Tim Price and have been hooked ever since.</span>
<span>"This is a great group of individuals down here and I think I'm going to learn from each and every one."</span>
<span>Jonathan Barbour also touched on his experience as a Steeleville police officer.</span>
<span>"My experience at Steeleville was great," he said. "You can't ask for a better town or department to work for.</span>
<span>"The town is behind their police force 100 percent and if (Steeleville PD) needs any assistance in the future, I will be glad to lend them a hand."</span>
<span>Steeleville Police Chief Lyn Thies said Barbour's departure from the department was amicable and the SPD is now taking applications for Barbour's replacement.</span>
<span>"We knew from the start that his goal was to work for a bigger department," Thies said. "No hard feelings either way and I think he'll do an excellent job for the sheriff's office.</span>
<span>"I think if he ever decided to come back, we'd be happy to have him."</span>
<span>Wolff thanked the Randolph County Board of Commissioners for allowing the Sheriff's Office to add another deputy. The maximum amount of deputies used to be 13, according to Wolff.</span>
"I know money's tight right now and I appreciate the county board helping us out and putting another one on," he said. "It's tough with limited staff."