Tommy Myers has apprehended an elusive title.

Myers secured a razor-thin margin of victory in the race for Warren County Sheriff on Thursday night, edging second-place finisher Marc Martin by 72 votes.

In a six-man battle, Myers gained 24.78 percent of the vote, while Martin finished with 24.06 percent.

“Right now I just want to breathe for a minute,” said Myers shortly after winning the tightest race of the night. “This has been a long year. I’m overwhelmed with all kinds of emotions. There’s no way I could have done this without the support of my friends and family.”

Candidates for sheriff fielded questions from all over the spectrum about their priorities if elected. Myers said he realizes he will have much to do.

In a race with six candidates with differing law enforcement backgrounds, voters showed they are well pleased with the direction of the Sheriff’s Department. Myers is the current chief deputy, just edging Martin who is the current chief investigator.

Highway patrolman Rodney Whiles finished with 22.3 percent of the vote. Billy Joe Crouch, also a current member of the Sheriff’s Department, was fourth with 13.8 percent. John Morgan, a 40-year veteran with McMinnville Police Department, earned 9.9 percent of the vote, followed by Bobby Edwards with 5.1 percent.