WALLER CO. APPOINTS CHIEF DEPUTY JOE HESTER TO SERVE AS INTERIM SHERIFF

  

Waller County has named an interim sheriff to serve through the rest of the year, following the unexpected death of former sheriff R. Glenn Smith.

Wednesday, Waller County Commissioners appointed Chief Deputy Joe Hester to serve as sheriff for the remainder of Smith’s term through 2020.  Smith, who was in his third term as sheriff, died August 1^st after suffering a heart attack.

Hester, according to a news release from Waller County Judge Trey Duhon, has over 40 years of law enforcement experience.  He previously served as police chief for the Hempstead, Navasota, and Katy Police Departments before coming to work at the Waller County Sheriff’s Office in 2007.

Hester will serve until a winner is determined between Republican Troy Guidry and Democrat Cedric Watson in November’s General Election.  The winner will take office January 1, 2021.

Hester will also oversee the transition of the sheriff’s office and jail to the new Waller County Justice Center, which is slated to be completed in September.  Duhon said Smith was “instrumental” in securing passage of the $39.5 million jail bond in 2017 and in designing the new jail and sheriff’s office.  He said he knows Hester will honor Smith’s contributions and make sure the transition “goes as smoothly as possible over the next few months”.