Atlantic County will get a new sheriff Wednesday.
Eric Scheffler will be sworn in at 3 p.m. at the Atlantic County Criminal Courthouse in Mays Landing.
The Democrat won election to the open seat Nov. 7.
Former Sheriff Frank Balles decided not to seek re-election, and instead returned to his former police as a Pleasantville police captain before the election. Mike Petuskey, Balles' second in command, has been serving an acting role.
Scheffler has said one of his focuses will be on the opioid problem.
The retired Atlantic City police lieutenant told BreakingAC last month that, if elected, one of his first acts would be to start a law-enforcement assisted diversion program.
Based on Seattle's LEAD program, it gives those arrested with drugs a choice of jail or treatment.
He also is one of the founding members of the One Life initiative at Mainland Regional High School, which brings experts on prevention, addiction and recovery to the school.
