New sheriff takes over department
San Jacinto News- Times - January 2009

COLDSPRING – January 1, James Walters will be sworn in as San Jacinto County Sheriff. Walters, who has spent nearly 24 years in law enforcement with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, said he will be making changes in the local department based on what he heard from citizens of the county while campaigning for a year. “I want to increase v i s i b i l - ity of the sheriff ’s d e p a r t - ment; I want citizens to feel safe in their homes and I want to generate r e v e n u e from the sheriff’s department,” Walters said. Giving an example of how he plans on generating revenue, Walters said, “We have a 140 man jail which currently houses 40 prisoners. I am in the process of talking to entities about housing inmates from surrounding counties. It will be a money making deal and a good deal for the county.” Walters said he will spend money allotted to him wisely. “I’m not saying the past administration didn’t do this,” he said. Walters also wants to focus on drug problems in the county. The illegal use and sale of drugs in the county was a main concern expressed to him while campaigning for offi ce. “With the help of citizens of the county we can declare a war on drugs and win,” Walters said. Walters said he is looking forward to taking over his new position and working with other county offi cials. “We have a great commissioners’ court that I am looking forward to working with. They are an honest group of men,” Walters said. “I appreciate the vote of confi dence in me from the voters of the county and will do my best to meet their expectations,” Walters said. Swearing-in ceremony Thursday Besides Walters, others to be sworn into offi ce Thursday, Jan. 1, in the San Jacinto County Courthouse by San Jacinto County Judge Fritz Faulkner are 411th Judicial District Judge Robert Hill Trapp, Pct. 1 Commissioner- elect Laddie McAnally, Pct. 3 Commissioner-elect James “Butch” Moody, San Jacinto County Tax Assessor-Collector Betty McKinzie Davis, Pct. 1 Constable Verlon Powdrill, Pct. 2 Constable-elect Tom Yates, Pct. 3 Constable Kenneth Hammond and Pct. 4 Constable-elect Alvin Wyatt. The event begins at 10 a.m. A reception will be held in the rotunda of the courthouse following the ceremony. The public is invited.