New sheriff thanks outgoing Margaret Mims, then looks forward during swearing-in ceremony
Longtime Fresno County law enforcement officer John Zanoni was officially sworn in as Fresno County sheriff in front of a packed ballroom at the Fresno County Plaza Building on Tuesday.
Zanoni will now serve as sheriff, coroner and jail administrator after Margaret Mims decided to retire after 16 years in that capacity.
Zanoni, who has served in the department for 26 years, gave thanks to Mims for her work and signaled that improvements will continue.
“Over the last 16 years, Sheriff Mims did a great job of building our agency,” Zanoni said. “Now I have the opportunity to build on this strong foundation and I will continue to improve the services the sheriff’s office provides as we move forward into 2023 and beyond.”
As sheriff, Zanoni will oversee a department with a $304 million budget in 2022-23 and a staff of 575 correctional officers, 414 deputies and 268 civilian employees. Zanoni previously served as assistant sheriff for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
This story was originally published January 3, 2023 at 2:05 PM.
