ESCANABA — The Delta County Sheriff Appointment Board has chosen a successor to Sheriff Gary Ballweg.

Ed Oswald has been appointed sheriff, effective when Ballweg retires on October 18th. Oswald retired from the Delta County Sheriff’s Department last December after working for the department for 22 years. He spent a decade as Undersheriff.

Oswald will hold the position until the end of 2016, when Ballweg’s current term expires. If he wishes to remain in the position longer than that, he’ll have to win the Novemeber 2016 election.

Ballweg has served as sheriff for 11 years. He was appointed in 2003 and won elections in 2004, 2008 and 2012.