Delbert Roush

Professional career

• Sworn in on January 8, 2026, by Kanawha County Circuit Court Chief Judge Kenneth Ballard to fill the seat vacated by former magistrate John Luoni
• Delbert J. Roush III is the Kanawha County Magisterial Judge for Division 13, appointed in January 2026 after a 26‐year career in the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.
• Delbert Roush III was sworn in as a Kanawha County magistrate on January 8, 2026 by Chief Circuit Judge Kenneth Ballard after appointment to the seat vacated by John Luoni’s resignation.
• Before becoming a judge, Roush spent 26 years in law enforcement with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, retiring as a lieutenant in September 2025.
• In summary: Delbert Roush III is a seasoned law enforcement leader now serving as a magistrate judge in Kanawha County, bringing decades of public service, courtroom experience, and a commitment to fairness to the bench
• His sheriff’s-office roles included circuit court bailiff for Judge Duke Bloom, with exposure to criminal and civil cases

Education

Additional information

• Magisterial Judge – Division 13 and is set to hold the position until May 12, 2030.
• The role is nonpartisan, and he is also listed as a candidate for re‐election in the 2026 West Virginia primary.
• WCHS reports he retired in 2025 after 26 years at the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.
• Shift supervisor for D shift
• Roush has stated that his long career in law enforcement and his enjoyment of helping people motivated him to seek the judicial role.
• Chief Judge Ballard praised his “wealth of expertise and proven commitment to justice and public safety”.
• He also held the role of a bailiff in both criminal and civil cases, giving him extensive courtroom experience.
• He emphasizes that citizens can expect fair decisions in both civil and criminal matters due to his courtroom background.