Newly appointed Justice of the Peace Randy Harris, left, gives his first interview to FOX West Texas reporter Ethan Purcell, right, after being named to the post by the Tom Green County Commission’s Court.
Tom Green County Commissioners Court appointed former Constable Randy Harris to serve as justice of the peace for Precinct 4, filling the unexpired term of long-time JP Eddie Howard, who tendered his resignation in December.
Four applicants were interviewed by the court during the executive session. Randy Harris; retired San Angelo Police Sgt. Rusty Herndon; Pct. 2 Deputy Constable Larry Lupton; and TGC Sheriff’s Office Investigator Gary Cole.
Tom Green County Judge Lane Carter said the decision was not an easy one.
“It was a difficult decision,” Carter said. “Very difficult.”
Judge Carter went on to explain the role of the Commissioner’s Court in filling an unexpired term, noting that whoever is selected will have to stand for election next year.
Pct. 3 Commissioner Rick Bacon elaborated on the decision.
“As commissioners we do not like being placed in this position, where we have to make a decision,” he said. “When it’s an elected position, it should be decided by the voters.”
Bacon then made the motion to appoint Harris to the position, which was passed unanimously.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Shawn Nanny noted for the record that he has encouraged each of the applicants to file for the peace justice office in the next primary election, which will take place in March of 2026.
Judge Carter then thanked all the candidates.
“Gentlemen, thank you,” he said. “Thank every one of y’all. We can see y’all’s heart for this position, and we can see your heart for the county…thank you for everything that you do, and for putting in your efforts, and your time.
The remaining candidates and their supporters gave Harris a brief round of applause, and wished him luck in this new role.
Harris, who served as constable for precinct 4 from 2013 until May of 2024, spoke briefly about his interview with the court.
“It was very fair,” Harris said. “They asked a lot of very good questions, with good follow-up questions, and I think they did a very good job of it, and took it very seriously.”
“If you look, historically, JPs came over from England to the colonies,” he explained. “That is the real “People’s Court,” where the people can come in and represent themselves in disputes with others.”
Harris touched on the different duties that have come to be overseen by justices of the peace, which can include hearings on mental health, disputes up to $20,000 in addition to Class 3 misdemeanors, along with a wide range of other duties.
Judge Carter said he expects Harris to be sworn in Friday, although no time had yet been officially slated.
Judge Howard served as justice of the peace for precinct 4 since 1994, and officially retires on Jan. 10.
In other business:
The court approved a purchase order in the amount of $108,920.70 to acquire 54 M4 rifles which will replace aging firearms currently in service.
Tom Green Co. Sheriff Nick Hanna told the court that the weapons have become problematic in recent years as worn parts and shot-out barrels have made them unsafe, relating one incident where age was a contributing factor in a catastrophic failure that could have caused serious injury to Sheriff’s Office personnel.
The AR-type rifles, manufactured by Rock River Arms, are more than 20-years old, Hanna noted, and will be replaced by new Sons Of Liberty Firearms, which are manufactured in Texas and offered with a “forever” warranty.
Sheriff Hanna noted that the firearms will not cost local taxpayers any money, as they are being purchased with monies seized from local drug dealers.
