Jeffrey Balzer sworn in as acting Delaware County sheriff after Russell Martin's retirement

Delaware County Chief Deputy Jeffrey Balzer was sworn in as acting sheriff Monday by county commissioners following the retirement of former Sheriff Russell Martin, who served as sheriff for 11 years and had a 43-year career in law enforcement.

Balzer will serve as acting sheriff for no less than five days and no more than 45 days until the Delaware County Republican Party’s Central Committee appoints Martin's official successor. That person will fulfill the remainder of Martin’s term as sheriff, which expires on Dec. 31, 2024.

Balzer has been with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office as chief deputy since 2016. A Springfield native and Ohio University graduate, Balzer served as deputy sheriff in Champaign County and later joined the Delaware Police Department.

He was appointed as a Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio and has served under many assignments involving court security, judicial protection, witness security, fugitive investigations and terrorism investigations.

Balzer has lived in Delaware for nearly four decades. He and his wife, Amy, have three grown children who graduated from Buckeye Valley High School.

shendrix@dispatch.com

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Delaware County Chief Deputy Jeffrey Balzer appointed acting sheriff