County selects new constable

SHERRY LONG
News Editor
ELLIS COUNTY - Veteran law enforcement officer Steve McKinney, 52, was selected by the Ellis County Commissioners Court Tuesday morning to serve as the newest constable in precinct four.

McKinney was expected to be sworn in as constable on Jan. 1 and serve the remainder of former Constable Perry 'Bubba' Curry's term through Dec. 31, 2008.

Curry, a 13-year veteran of the constable office, resigned the post effective Dec. 8 and began a deputy constable post in Tarrant County on Dec. 10.

McKinney said he would run for re-election during the November 2008 elections.

'I've always had an interest in politics and public life. I thought it was something I might be good at, so I seized the opportunity,' McKinney said.

Residing in Ellis County since 1976, McKinney has spent his entire 31-year career in law enforcement.

'I spent my entire career here in Ellis County,' he said.

He has served as a Midlothian police officer, a sheriff's deputy and later retired as a state trooper from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Currently a deputy at the Ellis County Sheriff's Deputy McKinney handles the sex offender registry and internal affairs division.

After meeting in two executive sessions, held during the last three weeks, county commissioners and County Judge Chad Adams reviewed the qualifications of six applicants.

Adams asked each commissioner to write down their top candidate choices for the opening and then Assistant County District Attorney Lee Auvenshine counted the ballots.

First place candidates received three points each, second place candidates received two points each and third place candidates were ranked with one point each.

McKinney came in first with 13 votes.

Johnny Brown came in second with seven votes and Charlie Kellis placed third with six votes.

'Out of the six there was 120 years of law enforcement experience,' said County Commissioner Precinct 1 Dennis Robinson after thanking all the applicants for their interest.

'In 2008, I would like to encourage them to come out and let the voters decide for that position.'

Other applicants included Keith Archer, Reed Huggins and James Shico.

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