Editor’s Note: Botie Hillhouse has declared his candidacy for Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and issued the following statement.
I was born and raised in Athens, Henderson County, Texas and am married to Stacy Hillhouse, who is currently Malakoff ISD Police Chief. We have four girls, Mackenzie, AnnMarie, Rylee and Dylann.
I went to Athens public schools and graduated from Athens High School. I attended TVCC in Athens and received an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
I love life with my family, hunting, fishing, camping and training/raising search and rescue bloodhounds.
I went to work for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office in 1998. In 1999, I received my Peace Officer’s License and started reserving for Eustace Police Department while continuing to work for the Sheriff’s Office as a Detention Officer. After two months, due to changes in Sheriff’s Office policy, I was able to change my Peace Officer commission to the Sheriff’s Office. During my 17 years in law enforcement I have worked in or supervised every division within the Sheriff’s Office.
I have held the following positions at the Sheriff’s Office: Detention Officer, Eustace Police Reserve Officer while continuing to be employed with the Sheriff’s Office, Patrol Deputy, Patrol Sergeant, Criminal Investigator, Narcotics Investigator, the first Henderson County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Handler, Tactical Team operator, Tactical Team leader, Tactical Team commander, Detention Lieutenant, Patrol Lieutenant, Major/Jail Administrator, and currently Chief Deputy/Jail Administrator.
I have dedicated my life and career to the citizens of Henderson County to help make Henderson County a safer and enjoyable place to live. I’m asking the residents of Henderson County to allow me to further that investment through my tenure as Sheriff of Henderson County.
I am a Master Peace Officer, Master Jailer, Jail Administrator, K-9 certified, SWAT certified, Site Safety Officer, Clandestine Lab certified, and numerous other certificates with over 3,200 hours of Texas Commission of Law Enforcement continuing education.
I am currently the president of the Henderson County Peace Officers Association and past treasurer of the Henderson County Peace Officers Association.
I have continually worked with all law enforcement agencies within Henderson County extending to State and Federal levels. I work daily with all County Offices in Henderson County.
As Chief Deputy along with Sheriff Ray Nutt I prepare and oversee the over $10 million budget along with submitting the budget to the Henderson County Commissioners’ Court. Since becoming Major in 2010, I have assisted Sheriff Nutt with the budget by being conservative with tax dollars and returning budgeted monies back to Henderson County without cutting law enforcement services for the citizens.
As sheriff I will continue to be aggressive in law enforcement while continuing to be conservative with the citizen’s tax dollars. I will be aggressive in pursuing violent crime offenders. I will focus on Narcotics Investigations which will reduce crimes against persons and property. I am aware of the need to expand the animal control division within the Sheriff’s Office. I will continue to maintain the safety and security of the Henderson County Jail while staying within the standards set forth by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. I will continue to focus on getting better mental health treatment for inmates of the Henderson County Jail. I have already established a Mental Health Program in the jail without expanding the budget. This program, now underway, has begun to change the environment within the jail, making it safer for detention officers and inmates.
For more information, visit www.botiehillhouseforsheriff.com.