Dowagiac’s Richard Behnke can officially remove the “under” part from his previous title of “undersheriff.”

The longtime fixture of the local law enforcement community officially began the next step of his career Friday, with Judge Michael Dodge administering the oath of office for Cass County Sheriff to Behnke that afternoon at the county courthouse.

The courtroom was filled to capacity to witness the swearing-in, with many of Behnke’s family members joined by fellow law enforcement and county officials to welcome the recently elected sheriff to office.

Behnke — who had served as undersheriff with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office since 2003 — was elected for the position in November, running unopposed for the position. The Dowagiac man secured the Republican nomination for the office in a three-way race, soundly defeating Niles’ Tim Cochran and Edwardsburg’s James Terry Ellis.

Behnke fills the office held for the past 24 years by Cassopolis’ Joseph Underwood, who Behnke thanked during his remarks after being sworn in.

“[He] gave me a lot of opportunities and challenges throughout my career,” Behnke said. “I know when he took office, in his first year, he asked me to write a grant. It was a really challenging grant, but it was successful and brought in $100,000 of traffic safety money. It gave me a lot of confidence at the time.

“After that, he threw even more challenges at me. But through those challenges I think it has prepared me for this next challenge, of being sheriff of Cass County.”

Behnke has served in law enforcement for the past 30 years, starting off his career with the Marcellus Police Department in 1986 before joining the Cass County Sheriff’s Office the following year. Behnke achieved nearly every rank imaginable during his time with the office, serving as sergeant, director of the county dispatch and lieutenant before being named undersheriff, second-in-command of the office.

A graduate of Ferris State University, Behnke has received several other law enforcement certifications, from the FBI Police Executive Development program and from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety executive management program.

The new sheriff also addressed the men and women of his department during his remarks Friday.

“It is going to be a new era,” Behnke said. “We will have new people coming in. My theories may be a bit different from the sheriff’s [Underwood’s]. So I am going to challenge you. I am going to take your strengths and make them stronger. We are going to take your weaknesses and address those as well. So be prepared.”

Behnke also thanked his family — both those who were in attendance that afternoon as well as those who have passed away over the years — for supporting him, especially his wife of 27 years, Lorri.

“She has been so supportive of my career,” he said. “It was not just during the election. There were a lot of late nights for a very long time, so I appreciate your support, Lorri.”