( CNN ) -- Many people in Mingo County , West Virginia , likely know Rosie Crum the way that Frances Crawford does . The two women , both active in local politics , are friendly . They stop to talk when they see each other . But folks in Mingo County are about to get a whole lot closer to Crum , who was appointed sheriff Thursday by the county 's commissioners . The former sheriff , Crum 's husband , was shot and killed this week . `` She 's a good person , '' Crawford said about Crum . `` She 's always seemed like a strong person too . '' According to County Commissioner David Baisden , Crum was born and raised in Mingo County . She met her husband , Eugene Crum , when she was 14 , and they married in 1975 . The Crums have two children -- a son and a daughter , both grown -- and grandchildren . `` They have been a pillar in the community and done everything that they felt was the right thing to do , and we feel this is the right thing for us to do , '' Baisden said about Crum 's appointment . She 'll serve out the rest of her husband 's term , which runs through the end of next year . Crum has prior no law enforcement experience , but she will have `` plenty of help , '' Baisden said . Williamson Police Chief Dave Rockel will `` manage the law enforcement end '' of the sheriff 's department , he explained . John Mark Hubbard , president of the Mingo County Commission , said Crum 's appointment is like an extension of her husband 's legacy . The commission voted unanimously . `` We have the full support of the sheriff 's department , right down to every man that we spoke to as a deputy , and their support for this is overwhelming . Now we ask for your support . '' 'She lost everything ' Crum was sworn in as sheriff on Thursday night at the county courthouse , just blocks from where her husband was shot . She did not speak , but she hugged 22 deputies who came to the ceremony , Hubbard said . Baisden said he met with Crum earlier in the day , and that she was understandably emotional . He explained another part of the rationale behind her appointment . `` She lost everything she had . She lost her husband , and would have lost a paycheck , '' he said . `` We told her we felt like this is the sure way that we could take care of her until she got on her feet . '' An election to replace Crum is set to be held in May 2014 . Whoever wins will take office on January 1 , 2015 . Photographs of the new sheriff on her Facebook page show a woman with an easy smile . She holds a paintbrush in one picture -- a dog , a baby and her husband tight in others . Justin Marcum , an assistant prosecutor in Mingo County , said having Crum step into her husband 's shoes should help in the healing process . `` Everyone here in the community knows her . It 's small town U.S.A. , and it will help us overcome the void that 's in our hearts , '' he said . `` It 's just a symbolic way that we can move forward and get past this tragedy . '' CNN 's Susan Candiotti and Ross Levitt contributed to this report .
Rosie Crum steps in for her husband after he was killed . She will be sheriff through the end of next year . The mother of two was active in local politics . Hide Caption 1 of 7 Photos:Photos: