Kewaunee County Sheriff-elect Eric Zellner is excited to experience for himself what it means to be the county’s top cop after his primary win Tuesday. Zellner, who serves as Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski’s lieutenant of operations, won the Republican primary with 2,711 votes, more than the combined total of Scott Szydel and Kevin Schmidt.

With no other nominees put forward by the area’s other political parties, a win in August is essentially a win in November, meaning Zellner will take over for Joski at year’s end. Zellner says it was a special moment for him and his family when he realized the promotion Kewaunee County voters granted him Tuesday.

Zellner believes his conversations with the community will set him up well for when he takes the post in January and appreciates Joski for the support and encouragement to run for sheriff.

In his 28-year career with the department, Zellner started as a part-time jailer and dispatcher before taking on other positions, including SWAT team member, patrol deputy, field training officer, evidence room manager and drug investigator.