As soon as the votes were in, Rockland County Sheriff-elect Louis Falco was ready to make good on his campaign promises.

"It's public safety that I ran on and that's what I'm gonna continue to do," said Falco in his acceptance speech last night.

Facing the new sheriff is the looming specter of $4 million in budget cuts. Twenty-seven patrolman jobs are on the line as well as deep cuts to the prisoner transport unit. The county itself is facing a $52 million budget gap.

But Falco says he won't let the cuts to his new department happen without a fight.

"I don't plan on sitting back and letting that happen in its entirety or at all," he says.

Falco says he plans on sitting down with County Executive Scot Vanderhoef (R-Rockland) in the next few days to discuss budget issues.

For Louis Falco?s victory speech in the Rockland County sheriff?s race, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.

Complete Hudson Valley Election Results

Falco selected as next Rockland County sheriffRockland Co. sheriff position up for grabs