(Photo by Matt Howerton)

WACO (January 1, 2013)—The bells still were tolling midnight when Parnell McNamara raised his hand Tuesday and was sworn in as McLennan County’s new sheriff.

McNamara was elected in November after defeating a Democratic challenger in the general election, a privilege he earned when he defeated a Republican challenger in the GOP Primary.

County Judge Scott Felton met McNamara at the sheriff’s office on Washington Avenue to swear the new sheriff into his position immediately after midnight so there would be no lapse in responsibility in the department.

McNamara then swore in as many of his deputies as could be there and told his new team it was tie to get to work.