STANTON, Neb. -- A northeast Nebraska sheriff was sworn in for his ninth term on Thursday. 

The Stanton County Sheriff's Office said Thursday morning Unger was sworn into County Sheriff for the start of his ninth term. 

Unger has served in Stanton County since 1986 and became the county's Sheriff in 1993, according to the Sheriff's Office. 

SCSO said that Unger is the first and only former Sheriff's Deputy to ever be elected as the Stanton County Sheriff, and he is the 21st person to hold the title of Stanton County Sheriff since the office was created in 1867. 

The Sheriff's Office said Unger has more than 41 years of law enforcement experience, and is a decorated U.S. Army Veteran having served overseas during the Cold War. 

"I look forward to continuing to serve all of Stanton County with fair and pro-active law enforcement, as I have done since coming to work here more than 36 years ago," Unger said.