Longest-sitting sheriff of Morris County celebrates 20 years

On Monday, July 1st, Morris County celebrated Jack Martin for his 20th year as sheriff– the longest- sitting sheriff of the county thus far.

Sheriff Martin was born in Naples, graduated from Paul Pewitt high School, and has lived in Morris County all his life. He started work at the Naples Police Department in 1984 as a reserve. Later that same year, he joined the Morris County Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy. He has spent a total of 40 years in law enforcement. Additionally, he was also a firefighter with the Naples Fire Department and a member of the Naples-Omaha Ambulance Service before joining the Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s a great feeling,” Martin said. “I had two great sheriffs I worked under– Sheriff Joe Skipper and Sheriff Ricky Blackburn. They were great teachers and inspired me to do the best job I can.” Martin talked about some of the biggest challenges he’s faced while being sheriff, “Some of the biggest problems are staffing and pay. Losing certified jailers and deputies to other agencies because their pay scale was much higher than Morris County. Last year, The State of Texas passed a bill SB-22 to help rural Sheriffs. This bill provided additional money to help with salary and purchasing vehicles. Our department as a whole works 24 hours a day, every day of the year. So staffing is very important in our job. Later this year, I should have a full staff of deputies.”

Overall, Martin said he loves Morris County and is proud to serve the community, “I want to thank the community for allowing me such a great honor to be sheriff and I will continue to provide the best service I can to the citizens now and in the future.”