As sheriff of Hood County, I bring with me my experience in law enforcement and emergency services along with the morals, values, ethics, and faith that have been instilled in me. I believe that it takes a well-rounded leader to take Hood County safely into the future by a unified effort of all emergency services of the county, state, and federal government. Communication, unity, and cooperation will be what it takes to keep us safe for the future.

In 1999, I volunteered to be the Hood County fire marshal because of the need for the position to continue to investigate fires in the county and to help with fire prevention. In July of 2003, the position of Hood County fire marshal became a full-time paid position, at which time I switched from a volunteer to a paid position.

In 1998, I began a career in law enforcement and became a reserve deputy sheriff for Hood County. In December of 1999, I became a full-time patrol deputy. As a patrol deputy, I also served civil process, worked in civil and warrants, and was the bailiff in the district, county, and justice courts as I had time. In 1999, Sheriff Hardin authorized the start of the Hood County Tactical Team (SWAT) that I became part of as a planner and EMT. I eventually became the assistant commander and then commander of SWAT until December 2004. In 2001, I started as a narcotics investigator and was assigned to the STOP Task Force in January 2003 until July 2003; I was involved in all aspects of undercover narcotics investigation and received about three weeks of specialized training.

My experience also includes advanced peace officer, arson investigator, advanced SWAT, sniper, TCLEOSE training instructor, specialized training in planning, and many other hours in firefighting, medical training, emergency management, and law enforcement training.

I am on the Hood County Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS Board. I have worked with the state and federal governments in times of disasters. I have coordinated with FEMA on two separate incidents and have obtained financial reimbursement for fire departments, EMS systems, and law enforcement agencies as well as Hood County Road Operations for repair and replacement of roads. In over two years, I have received approximately $300,000 in reimbursement.

I was a member of the Regional Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee for three years and am on the Urban Area Security Initiative Committee and the 9-1-1 Advisory Committee at the North Central Council of Governments. I have worked with and still work with Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant and Somervell County on security and response plans for the plant.

It has been a long and continued history of service to the citizens of Hood County. I feel privileged to be the sheriff of Hood County and vow to do my very best to make this county safe.