BUCKHANNON — Following the U.S. Senate confirmation of the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia, all that remains is for President Donald Trump to sign on.

That will happen in the coming days and J.C. Raffety will be sworn in for his second term as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia. The first came under the administration of then President George W. Bush.

“It’s an exciting adventure on which I am about to enter,” Raffety said when reached by phone.“I again wish to thank President Trump for nominating me to serve as U.S. Marshal for Northern District of West Virginia. I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., for her recommendation and continued support not only in this confirmation but in her past support to my previous appointment by then President George W. Bush.

“I look forward to reacquainting myself with deputy U.S. marshals and renewing both professional and personal relationships with the Northern District of West Virginia law enforcement community.”

Capito and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., each issued statements following Raffety’s confirmation.

“Having already served in this role for eight years, I have no doubt J.C. will do an exceptional job as U.S. Marshal for West Virginia’s Northern District,” Capito said. “He brings experience and knowledge to the position, as well as a proved commitment to keeping West Virginians safe and upholding the rule of law in our state. I congratulate J.C. on his confirmation and look forward to continuing to work together as he once again takes on this important responsibility.”

Manchin said Raffety’s long career in law enforcement will be an asset to the U.S. Marshal’s office and the people of West Virginia.

“I am so glad that the Senate confirmed J.C. Raffety to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia,” Manchin said. “Raffety has had a distinguished law enforcement career for nearly 50 years and he has proven time and time again his dedication to justice and to our great state of West Virginia. I was glad when President Trump nominated such a distinguished law enforcement officer for this role and now I am proud he will serve West Virginia and the United States in the Northern District.”

Raffety is currently a contract investigator for the West Virginia Secretary of State but began his law enforcement career in 1970 with the FBI. After a 30-year career as a special agent and supervisory special agent in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, he retired.

But not for long.

Raffety served as chief of the Buckhannon Police Department from 2000-2001 to fill a vacancy. He was then appointed by Bush to be U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia from 2002 until 2010. After being elected as Upshur County Commissioner, Raffety served a six-year term. He then was appointed as interim chief of police for the City of Elkins Police Department in 2017 until that vacancy was filled.

Raffety holds an Associate of Arts from Prince George’s Community College, a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University and an M.P.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.

“From contacts I have had with U.S. Marshal headquarters in Washington, D.C. I would anticipate entering on duty in June and attending administrative training at U.S. Marshal headquarters in Washington, D.C. in July,” Raffety said.

“As I have stated many times, I have been blessed to have spent a majority of my career in law enforcement. I look forward to renewing the many friendships I developed through the years and establishing new friendships with those I have not served with during my previous career.”