by Sam Clanton

The Ozark County Sheriff's Department has a new chief deputy. The Ozark County Times reports that the position has been vacant for several months.

Darren Reed has been retired from law enforcement for three years, but returned to active duty to accept the position of Ozark County's chief deputy. Reed had been a criminal investigator for the Howell County Sheriff's Department and also worked for the West Plains and Willow Springs police departments.

Other changes in Ozark County include the hiring of female deputy Cecilia Clayton, who previously worked for the Taney County Sheriff's Department.