Starting in 2021 there will be a new sheriff in Hunt County.
The current sheriff of Hunt County, Randy Meeks announced that he will not seek reelection in a statement Friday morning.
“After much prayer and thought, I have decided to not seek reelection for the position of Hunt County Sheriff,” Meeks said. “On Wednesday I met with approximately 150 employees of my Hunt County Sheriff’s Office family and announced the news to them.”
Meeks previously served as a Constable in Precinct 1 for 24 years before moving to sheriff and serving for the past 12 years. All told Meeks has been in law enforcement in this county for the last 36 years.
“I will officially retire on Dec. 31, 2020 as my third term as Sheriff expires,” Meeks said. “I have worked with some of the finest folks that I have ever been in contact with. Their dedication to the citizens of Hunt County and to the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office is beyond belief. Most of them could go somewhere else and make more money, but their loyalty and wanting to see Hunt County a better place keeps them here. To the employees of the Sheriff’s Office, I cannot thank you enough. You truly are dedicated, respected, and experienced.
We have accomplished a lot over the twelve years since I took office. Even as I write this, we are preparing another knock down of a local drug dealer. Our war on drugs continues and it will as long as I am Sheriff of Hunt County. We were successful in the first few months of my administration in shutting down the local game rooms. I am proud of the accomplishments that were made during my tenure as Sheriff. Once again, I must give the credit to the men and women that work for the Sheriff’s Office. The decision to retire was a difficult one to make. The needs of my family were foremost in my decision to retire. It has been a good run and I am looking forward to what God has for me in the future. I want to thank the citizens of Hunt County for allowing me to serve them first as Constable and as your Sheriff. It has truly been an honor.”
Meeks started as a deputy in Wood County in 1975. He then moved to Greenville Police Department where he was awarded “Officer of the Year” in 1976 as a patrol officer.
Until 1984, when he was elected as Constable, he worked as a reserve officer for the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office.
The position’s future will be decided in the November 2020 elections, but at this time, no one has publically announced that they will be running for the position.
Filing begins Nov. 9 and Dec. 9 will be the last day to apply for the March 3, 2020 Democratic and Republican primary elections.
