Benton County Sheriff Kelley Cradduck wasted no time getting to it.
While others were ringing in the new year, he and many of his supporters gathered at the Benton County Sheriff's Office for his ceremonial swearing in as the clock struck 2013.
Benton County hasn't seen a new sheriff in more than a decade. Cradduck brings Benton County 15 years of law enforcement experience as he takes over the role from former Sheriff Keith Ferguson.
Just before midnight, the new sheriff told 5NEWS he was eager to start.
"The next three months are critical, so we don't want to wait too long before we have a meeting with command staff and we set our goals and objectives," Cradduck said. "There are changes that are taking place inside of the department, so I think that it's important that we don't wait until next week, or you know, two weeks from now to get going. I think the time is now."
Benton County Judge Bob Clinard swore Cradduck into office.
Click here to read an interview 5NEWS did with Cradduck when he was elected to the post in May.