Posted 12:01 am Thursday, December 06, 2007
Two File For Rusk County Sheriff Post
By CINDY MALLETTE
Staff Writer
HENDERSON — Two men have filed to run for Rusk County sheriff, both of them vowing to restore integrity to an office mired in controversy throughout the past year.
Jerry A. Hays and Danny Pirtle, both retired from the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department, filed for the March Republican primary.
Hays, 67, said he’s seen a “steady decline in the integrity of the department,” much of which has been highly publicized within the last year.
“I believe there’s a need for a change,” he said.
In May, former Chief Dusty Flanagan, former Lt. Johnny Leon Davidson Jr. and Sheriff Glen Deason were named in a sexual harassment suit filed by a former female officer who said Flanagan harassed her and that the other two men failed to act when she reported it to them. Around the same time, allegations surfaced against Flanagan and Davidson for violating a man’s civil rights by assualting him while he was in custody in Flanagan’s office. Flanagan and Davidson pleaded guilty to the charges over the summer.
In June, longtime officer Lt. Fred Dunlap, 56, committed suicide in the department’s uniform room. A lengthy suicide note indicated he knew of corruption happening within the department, officials reported.
In July, former Investigator Michael Wayne Davis pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and received two years probation and a $2,000 fine. Two months later, former Deputy Kenneth Calvin Martin received 78 months in prison for possession of child pornography.
Hays said numerous community members have asked him to run, believing he’s the best man to restore the department’s damaged reputation.
“I believe I’ve got common sense and can gain the respect of the community and other law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Hays, who holds a Master Peace Officer certificate, retired from the sheriff’s department as a patrol sergeant in September 2006. He started out in law enforcement fresh out of Kilgore College’s Police Academy in 1984 when he was elected as Rusk County’s Precinct 4 Constable. He left that position one year later, after the death of his son, and worked for two-and-a-half years at the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department. For the next 18 years, he worked for the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department. After retiring, he went to work for the Kilgore College Police Department, where he still serves.
Hays has been married to his wife, Gloria, for 36 years and they have one daughter.
“I just appreciate all of the people of Rusk County and I’m thankful for all the people who’ve helped me,” he said. “I can assure them that I will do what’s right. The people of Rusk County know there’s a
need for change.”
Danny Pirtle agrees there’s a need for change, and he believes he’s got the best qualifications to bring it about.
The 61-year-old retired from the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department in 2004 and still serves as a reserve investigator.
“I have the experience and qualifications to be a candidate for sheriff and I believe I can do an outstanding job for the citizens of Rusk County,” he said.
Pirtle has 32 years of law enforcement experience and holds a Master Peace Officer certification. He boasts 24 years of criminal investigation experience, 14 years of administration for the Rusk County Criminal Investigation Division, 11 years of experience in background investigation, 16 years serving on the tactical unit, 30 years in search and recovery involving manhunts and missing loved ones and more.
In 1979, Pirtle was named an Outstanding Public Official for the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and earned Officer of the Year in 1995. He’s a member of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas and the Texas Police Association.
“As your sheriff, I can make good, sound choices as the leader and administrator of the sheriff’s department,” he said.
He added that he doesn’t plan to make immediate changes if elected until a thorough and complete evaluation is conducted within the department.
“I have the intentions of restoring a good working relationship with all agencies, federal, state and local ... and of regaining the trust of the citizens of Rusk County by conducting periodic meetings and keeping an open mind to their opinions,” he said.
Pirtle said his top priority would be to enforce all criminal laws, including drug interdiction and the welfare of the communities.
He and his wife, Dolly, have three sons and nine grandchildren.
“I would like the opportunity to serve as your sheriff ... and am asking for your prayers, support and your vote,” he said.
Sheriff Glen Deason will be out of the office until next week and has not said whether he intends to run for re-election.
Staff Writer
HENDERSON — Two men have filed to run for Rusk County sheriff, both of them vowing to restore integrity to an office mired in controversy throughout the past year.
Jerry A. Hays and Danny Pirtle, both retired from the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department, filed for the March Republican primary.
Hays, 67, said he’s seen a “steady decline in the integrity of the department,” much of which has been highly publicized within the last year.
“I believe there’s a need for a change,” he said.
In May, former Chief Dusty Flanagan, former Lt. Johnny Leon Davidson Jr. and Sheriff Glen Deason were named in a sexual harassment suit filed by a former female officer who said Flanagan harassed her and that the other two men failed to act when she reported it to them. Around the same time, allegations surfaced against Flanagan and Davidson for violating a man’s civil rights by assualting him while he was in custody in Flanagan’s office. Flanagan and Davidson pleaded guilty to the charges over the summer.
In June, longtime officer Lt. Fred Dunlap, 56, committed suicide in the department’s uniform room. A lengthy suicide note indicated he knew of corruption happening within the department, officials reported.
In July, former Investigator Michael Wayne Davis pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and received two years probation and a $2,000 fine. Two months later, former Deputy Kenneth Calvin Martin received 78 months in prison for possession of child pornography.
Hays said numerous community members have asked him to run, believing he’s the best man to restore the department’s damaged reputation.
“I believe I’ve got common sense and can gain the respect of the community and other law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Hays, who holds a Master Peace Officer certificate, retired from the sheriff’s department as a patrol sergeant in September 2006. He started out in law enforcement fresh out of Kilgore College’s Police Academy in 1984 when he was elected as Rusk County’s Precinct 4 Constable. He left that position one year later, after the death of his son, and worked for two-and-a-half years at the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department. For the next 18 years, he worked for the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department. After retiring, he went to work for the Kilgore College Police Department, where he still serves.
Hays has been married to his wife, Gloria, for 36 years and they have one daughter.
“I just appreciate all of the people of Rusk County and I’m thankful for all the people who’ve helped me,” he said. “I can assure them that I will do what’s right. The people of Rusk County know there’s a
need for change.”
Danny Pirtle agrees there’s a need for change, and he believes he’s got the best qualifications to bring it about.
The 61-year-old retired from the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department in 2004 and still serves as a reserve investigator.
“I have the experience and qualifications to be a candidate for sheriff and I believe I can do an outstanding job for the citizens of Rusk County,” he said.
Pirtle has 32 years of law enforcement experience and holds a Master Peace Officer certification. He boasts 24 years of criminal investigation experience, 14 years of administration for the Rusk County Criminal Investigation Division, 11 years of experience in background investigation, 16 years serving on the tactical unit, 30 years in search and recovery involving manhunts and missing loved ones and more.
In 1979, Pirtle was named an Outstanding Public Official for the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and earned Officer of the Year in 1995. He’s a member of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas and the Texas Police Association.
“As your sheriff, I can make good, sound choices as the leader and administrator of the sheriff’s department,” he said.
He added that he doesn’t plan to make immediate changes if elected until a thorough and complete evaluation is conducted within the department.
“I have the intentions of restoring a good working relationship with all agencies, federal, state and local ... and of regaining the trust of the citizens of Rusk County by conducting periodic meetings and keeping an open mind to their opinions,” he said.
Pirtle said his top priority would be to enforce all criminal laws, including drug interdiction and the welfare of the communities.
He and his wife, Dolly, have three sons and nine grandchildren.
“I would like the opportunity to serve as your sheriff ... and am asking for your prayers, support and your vote,” he said.
Sheriff Glen Deason will be out of the office until next week and has not said whether he intends to run for re-election.
