After officially being sworn into office at midnight May 14, a public swearing-in ceremony was held for Van Zandt County Interim Sheriff Joe Carter May 22 at the VZC Courthouse.

VZC Judge Don Kirkpatrick welcomed those in attendance at the public swearing-in ceremony.

“I did not know Joe Carter until he was hired here at the courthouse to take care of security as he followed Terry Jackson in that job,” recalled Kirkpatrick. “I have had the honor and privilege of getting to know Joe. What a man of integrity he is. Joe is rock solid. This is a great day today (May 22). Joe’s son is here today in attendance.”

Kirkpatrick then asked for anyone in the audience to share their comments about Carter prior to him being sworn in as VZC interim sheriff.

John Bowman

“I have known Joe for a long time going all the way back to when he was a game warden. Every time I see Joe, he always has a smile on his face. He has always treated me right. He talks to me just like family. He is always friendly. I got to know Joe really well after he took over for Terry in security. Joe was my boss, and I could not ask for a better man to work for. We are getting a really good sheriff in Joe Carter.”

Sue Baugh

“I have known Joe for many years. He is the man for this job. My whole family and I highly respect him. We could not have found a finer man to take this job. I am so proud of Joe.”

Virgil Melton Jr.

“Joe and I first met about 40- 45 years ago in the Dallas County District Attorney’s office. We were both criminal investigators at that time. We were assigned to different courts. I knew back then that big things were coming for him. He is a man of integrity. He is going to make a great sheriff. I support him 100 percent.”

Kenny Ray

“Like Joe, I am a VZC native. He is from Canton, and I am from Grand Saline. I was a highway patrolman here 35 years ago when Joe was a game warden. Back then, we did not have cell phones or partners to work with. There were a lot of times when I was the only highway patrolman working a particular shift in VZC. This is a big county geographically. A lot of times, I would stop somebody at night and there were some bad situations at times that I just had to handle myself. There would be sometimes when I would see a pair of headlights pulling up behind me and it was Joe. When he showed up at a scene, the dynamics changed for the better. I knew how he was trained but more importantly, he never runs away from a situation. He is a man’s man. I know what kind of man VZC needs as our sheriff, and it is Joe Carter. I am so proud of him. I love him like a brother.”

Ken Hackney

“I met Joe when he came to work at the courthouse. I have seen Joe be nice to people and I have seen him when he had to take people out in the courthouse in a manner that they needed to be taken out. He always did it in a way that was respectful. When I found out that Joe was chosen as our sheriff, we had a celebration at our house because I know what kind of man he is and what kind of heart he has. He has a heart for people. He will do a good job as sheriff. Judge Kirkpatrick and the commissioners’ court did a really good job in going through the list of candidates before making their decision. I look forward to working with Joe as a chaplain with the VZC Sheriff’s Department. I am so proud to have Joe on board.”

Dr. Ray Davis

“Joe has been my brother-in-law for 47 years. Joe has honesty, integrity, and leadership. He will do a great job for VZC. He loves VZC.”

Larry Hand

“I serve VZC all the way to Shreveport as a Special Ranger. I am originally from Tyler. My dad bought land in Edom in the 1950s. I am not a resident of VZC, but I am no stranger to VZC. In June 1985, I was a rookie game warden in Galveston County. Joe Carter had already worked there for a year. He took me in under his wing and taught me how to be a game warden on the coast. That was not easy. He gave a lot of guidance to me. I can tell you that Joe Carter is a man of integrity who is always going to do the right thing for the right reasons. He is not doing this for the pay. He is doing this as a calling and that calling is what brings him here today. I consider Joe to be one of my very best friends and I look forward to seeing and hearing about his work here as VZC sheriff.”

Jesse Carter

“I am proud of my dad. I know he will be up to the challenge. He will take this job one day at a time and not overload himself. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do for VZC.”

Kirkpatrick responded, “Joe, don’t forget to take time for the family, especially those grandbabies. My wife will tell you that I get so tied up in my work. That is one thing I am looking forward to after I leave office, spending time with family. When I was Justice of the Peace, I had to work 325- 350 inquests. That is people that got up that morning and they had their day planned. They never expected me to have to ask them about what funeral home they would like to use. Life is too short. Thank you everyone for your words about Joe Carter.”

Hackney led in the invocation prior to the public swearing-in of Carter by Kirkpatrick.

The VZC Commissioners Court unanimously announced the appointment of Carter as VZC interim sheriff May 9.

He was chosen from a field of 12 individuals by the commissioners’ court, according to Kirkpatrick.

Carter succeeds former VZC Sheriff Steve Hendrix following Hendrix’s resignation on April 26.

After being publicly sworn into office May 22, Carter then spoke to those in attendance.

“Thank you for the kind words,” said Carter. “It means a lot to me. It is very humbling. I have officially been in office for about a week, and it has been very interesting to say the least. We have a lot of work to do, and we will get it done with your support. When you see one of our officers, jailers, or administrators, please take time to say ‘thank you’ to them. It would be much appreciated. Our employees are a great group to work with. We are fortunate to have them in VZC. They are a very dedicated group.”

The VZC interim sheriff shared that applications are being accepted for the position of jailers and patrol deputies.

Anyone interested in applying is asked to report to the VZC Sheriff’s Department, according to Carter.

“We will do the best we can with what we have,” emphasized Carter. “I will give you that promise. It is an honor to be here and to be selected for this job. My hat is off to anyone running any office in VZC. Thank you to Judge Kirkpatrick and the commissioners’ court. I will do my best, one day at a time.”