Thomasville, Georgia August 24, 2012

Dozens of residents came out on Aug. 24 to witness the newly elected Judge of the State Court of Thomas County be sworn into office.

Mark Mitchell won the primary election back in July, but was not supposed to start his term until January 2013.

However, incumbent judge Elliott McCollum Jr., 69, passed away on Aug. 7. Judge McCollum did not run for re-election this year.

Governor Nathan Deal appointed Mitchell to finish out McCollum's term.

Mitchell will then begin his own term starting in 2013.