BILLY RUEMKE SEEKING ELECTION AS WASHINGTON CO. PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER
(courtesy photo)
A Washington County native and law enforcement veteran is declaring his candidacy for Precinct 3 County Commissioner.
Billy Ruemke will run in the March 5, 2024 Republican primary. Ruemke has served in the Brenham Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Austin County Sheriff’s Office over the course of his 45-year career in law enforcement.
Ruemke says being a first responder is very “near and dear” to him and feels his experience in administration and with dealing with the public will be an asset.
Ruemke is a 1975 graduate of Brenham High School and received his law enforcement training from the Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service. During his 17 years with Brenham police, he was a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, detective and SWAT team leader. He then spent 18 years with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy, investigator, patrol lieutenant and jail administrator. He currently serves as a patrol sergeant at the Austin County Sheriff’s Office.
Ruemke has also served as president, chaplain and associate member of the Brenham Fire Department. In addition, he was also the president of the Washington County Peace Officers Association, was on the Hero’s Selection Committee for the 100 Club of Houston, is a member of the Brenham Sons of Hermann, and formerly served on the council of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill.
Ruemke says he has no pre-conceived notions about what serving as a commissioner looks like, but believes that having a strong relationship between individual commissioners, respecting the community and taxpayers, and giving every county agency and office a “fair shake” will be vital to success as the county grows and faces new challenges.
Ruemke lives in the Independence area with his wife, Pam, and son, Joshua. His family also includes a son, Robert, who lives in Bryan, and a daughter, Heather, who lives in Stephenville.
Current Precinct 3 Commissioner Kirk Hanath has not announced whether he plans to run for another term next year. The first day to file for a place on the primary ballot is November 11th.