Following a 75-minute special called closed executive session May 9, the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court unanimously announced the appointment of Joe Carter as VZC Interim Sheriff.

Carter, the current Facilities Director for the VZC Courthouse and a former Head of Security for the VZC Courthouse, was chosen by the commissioners’ court from a field of 12 individuals, according to VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick.

Carter succeeds Steve Hendrix, who submitted his letter of resignation to Kirkpatrick and the commissioners’ court on April 26.

Hendrix’s resignation is effective at midnight May 14. Carter is scheduled to be sworn into office on or before May 14.

The open portion of the special called commissioners’ court meeting began at 2:32 p.m. May 9 with all members of the commissioners’ court present.

Kirkpatrick shared in the open session that no one signed up for public comments on the subject before announcing that the commissioners’ court meeting would move into closed session.

Following the closed executive session, the commissioners’ court reconvened into open session at 3:51 p.m. May 9 with VZC Pct. 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr. making the motion to appoint Carter as VZC Interim Sheriff.

VZC Pct. 1 Commissioner Chad LaPrade seconded the motion prior to the unanimous vote by Melton, LaPrade, VZC Pct. 3 Commissioner Keith Pearson, and VZC Pct. 4 Commissioner Tim West.

Carter was not in attendance when the vote was taken. The meeting adjourned shortly after the unanimous vote.

Shortly after the meeting, the VZC interim sheriff was interviewed by Van Zandt Newspapers.

“Several days ago, I informed Judge Kirkpatrick and the commissioners’ court that I would like to have my name considered for this job,” recalled Carter. “I was officially informed about 10 minutes ago that I was the one chosen. They came to my office in the court house to let me know.”

Carter said he was unsure exactly when his term would actually begin. “Sheriff Hendrix is on duty until midnight May 14,” pointed out Carter. “I have not yet had a chance to meet with Judge Kirkpatrick about that. I know that bonds have to be obtained.”

The VZC Interim Sheriff said May 9 that he had not had a chance to meet with the staff yet at the VZC Sheriff’s Department.

“I will be meeting with the sheriff, the chief deputy and the employees in the sheriff’s department to let them know that we are going to carry on with the business of the department,” said Carter. “I need their support.”

Kirkpatrick expressed his congratulations to Carter. “I have known Joe for a while now,” said the VZC judge. “He is a man of integrity. Any task that he has been on or that we have challenged him with, he has exceeded all expectations. Joe will serve us well as our sheriff. He has potential and he has the backing of our citizens. His integrity speaks for itself.”

The VZC judge emphasized that his job as well as the job of the commissioners’ court was only to appoint someone to fill the position of VZC sheriff until the November 8 special election.

Since Hendrix has not completed at least half of his term in office, which is scheduled to run until December 31, 2024, Carter said that he will serve as VZC Interim Sheriff until the special election is held on November 8, 2022.

The winner of the special called election in November will serve out the remainder of Hendrix’s term in office.

According to Kirkpatrick, the chairpersons of the VZC Republican Party and the VZC Democratic Party will each have the opportunity to place the name of one candidate on the Nov. 8 ballot. The deadline for the names to be placed on the ballot is tentatively scheduled for Friday, Aug. 26.

“Now that we have completed our job in naming someone to fill the role of sheriff until the November special election, it is now the task of the chairperson of the VZC Republican Party as well as the VZC Democratic Party to choose a candidate to place on the ballot in November and that person will fill the remaining two years of the unexpired term,” pointed out Kirkpatrick. “I would certainly encourage anyone who is interested in having their name considered to be placed on the November ballot to contact their VZC party chairperson and let their wishes be known.”

Kirkpatrick also discussed the process involved that ended with 12 names being considered for the role of VZC Interim Sheriff.

“We didn’t open this up for interviews or applications,” said Kirkpatrick. “We had 12 individuals on the list. This process began several weeks ago. As the process went on, some of the people on the list declined to pursue the position.”

In discussing his support for Carter, Kirkpatrick said, “I certainly support Joe 100 percent. I know that being sheriff of a county is not easy but if anybody can rise to the challenge, I have all confidence in Joe Carter.”

When asked if he would like to have his name considered for placement on the Nov. 8 ballot, Carter responded, “I would be interested. We will just wait and see how things go between now and then.”

Carter said that he is ready for his new job and to serve the citizens of VZC. “I would just like to say thank you to Judge Kirkpatrick and the commissioners’ court for their support. A lot goes into this decision. I would like the citizens to know that the VZC Sheriff’s Department is here to provide a service. We want to do the best we can for the citizens of VZC and we will continue toward that path. It has been an honor to be on the list of names and to be considered for this position.”