RANDOLPH COUNTY — Randolph County Magistrate Rob Elbon has announced his resignation from the office, and his intention to run for Randolph County sheriff.
Elbon has served as a magistrate for nearly 12 years, starting his first term in the position in 2009.
“After proudly serving the people as Randolph County magistrate since 2008, I have decided to announce my resignation, effective Jan. 3,” Elbon said. “After much soul-searching, I concluded that I must free myself up for some exciting changes in the new year. It has truly been an honor to serve you all.”
He said his desire to serve the community in the capacity of sheriff comes from a long and dedicated — spanning more than 20 years — career in law enforcement.
In 1984, Elbon was hired by then-Sheriff John C. Arbogast as a part-time bailiff/part-time process server for Randolph County. The following year, he was hired as a correctional officer for the Randolph County Jail and successfully completed the West Virginia Corrections Academy.
Less than a year later, Elbon was promoted to chief correctional officer at the facility before going to work for the United States Marshal Service as an intermittent deputy United States marshal. In that role, he was responsible for transporting prisoners and working in the Federal Court, serving warrants across the Northern District of West Virginia. He continued in that position until 1995.
In 1995, Elbon was hired as a deputy sheriff for the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, where he spent the next 10 years, earning many accolades.
Elbon graduated third in his class from the West Virginia State Police Academy in 1996; attended many training classes and acquired several certifications in law enforcement through Marshall University while completing the WVSP Academy training; was certified in Advanced Auto Crash Investigation in 1998; and was certified as a Highway Crash Reconstructionist through the University of North Florida, located in Jacksonville, Florida, also in 1998.
In 2004, Elbon retired from the force with 20-plus years of service to the county.
Following his retirement from the sheriff’s office, Elbon went to work for the United States Marshal Service as a court security officer, protecting Judge Robert Earl Maxwell and other federal judges who presided over court hearings in Elkins at the Jennings Randolph Federal Building.
He has also spent the majority of his life — since the age of 14 years old — serving the community in different capacities through the Tygart Valley Fire Company and Elkins Fire Department.
Elbon said if elected he will work hard as sheriff to assist with many of the problems plaguing the county, with a strong emphasis on combating drugs and homelessness, as well as promoting drug education and awareness to youth.
His goals include enhancing safety in communities by increasing patrols and working toward 24-hour deputy presence, actively pursuing drug traffickers and slowing the trade and usage of opiates and other deadly drugs; combating homelessness throughout the county, educating children about drug-free lifestyle alternatives and promoting anti-drug and anti-bullying campaigns throughout the county and school system, assigning a deputy to every county school to develop a relationship with each child in the school as well as offering support to teachers and staff and expanding the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
“Randolph County is a wonderful place to raise a family, yet over the years, crime has begun to take over. I have a solid plan to take back Randolph County. My goal is to work to undo the damage that has been done to our citizens and communities,” Elbon said. “We have excellent deputies in Randolph County. I have a plan to bring all our forces together to take back the county from the ground up — for the future of all of our people. We will take it back.”
Elbon added he believes a strong police presence will help slow crime, including seeing him out on patrol.
“I believe a strong deterrent to drug trafficking and other crimes is a strong police presence from top to bottom,” Elbon said. “That is why I intend to not only work towards education and awareness but also be out on the streets patrolling as well. I want people to know I care about their problems and this county. When you call 911 for an emergency, I may be the officer responding to your situation.”
Elbon said he plans to work hard to give all Randolph County citizens and families the ability to feel safe in their communities.
“I believe in Randolph County. I want my children and grandson to have the same opportunities I had when I was a child growing up in Randolph County,” Elbon said. “I want all of the children to be able to grow up safe — be able to play football in the neighbor’s yard and not fall on a needle, for example. I want them to be able to play outside without being approached by somebody who may pose a danger to them as a result of being under the influence of a powerful mind-altering substance. This is extremely important to me.”
“Therefore, I am announcing my candidacy for the position of sheriff of Randolph County. As magistrate, I have been on the defensive and only able to help people after they’ve hit rock bottom,” he continued. “As sheriff, I will be on the offense. I will be on active patrol working to keep your neighborhood and community safe. I want to take back Randolph County and I’m asking for your help. I’m asking for your vote on May 12.”
Elbon and his wife of 18 years, Katina, have six children — Zach, and wife Megan (Nida) Elbon; Lantz, and wife Holly (Conklin) Elbon; Micah Freeman; Gage Elbon; Jaide Elbon; and Zayne Elbon. They also have one grandchild, Barrett Elbon.
For more information on Elbon and his campaign, email [email protected], visit robelbon.com or find him on Facebook.