Four announce intent to run for county offices

Three incumbents and one candidate Thursday morning announced their intent to file candidacy in the 2024 county elections. Although candidate filing for a place on the spring 2024 ballot won’t officially open until later in the year, each of the four Republicans has filed the requisite paperwork designating a treasurer for his campaign.

John Brian Beadle Thursday said he will be seeking a second term as Precinct 2 Constable. He turned in the paperwork to the County Clerk’s Office designating his wife DeLana Beadle as his campaign treasurer, and will file as a candidate for the seat in a couple of months.

Beadle expressed appreciation to those who showed confidence in him by electing him to his first term, allowing him to serve as a law enforcement officer in the community he and his wife of 23-years, DeLana, have enjoyed living and raising their family and cattle in Hopkins County in since 2002.

The Beadles’ oldest son is now a full-time firefighter for Hopkins County Fire Department. Their youngest son, Jonas, participates in most sports at Saltillo ISD and the junior is currently beginning his third year as president of the Saltillo FFA chapter.

During their two decades in Hopkins County, Beadle drove to the metroplex, where he served as a deputy constable, and is especially thrilled provide those services in his home community. He said he would love to continue serving as Precinct 2 Constable.

He plans to continue helping the sheriff ’s office and fire departments, whether on vehicle crashes, at the office or a major incident.

Currently, Beadle noted, the court system is flowing well. Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings, the incumbent said, keeps up with the process and with other duties, “It is an honor to serve Hopkins County and represent Hopkins County across the state as an instructor with Texas Justice Court Training Center,” Beadle said, noting that Hopkins County’s Justices of the Peace and Constables, and the County Judge all are trained to train other judges and constables across the state, something not only unique to have four or more in a county the size of Hopkins County.

Beadle too serves on the TCJTC Association’s scholarship board, and as chief of Saltillo Volunteer Fire Department.

Precinct 1

Constable Dennis Findley, a sergeant investigator with Hopkins County Sheriff ’s Office, too announced Thursday to the News-Telegram his intent to run as a candidate for Hopkins County Place 1 Constable, a position currently held by Norman Colyer, in the spring 2024 primary election.

Findley’s wife of 33-years, Melonie, is his campaign treasurer.

“I want to continue the legacy set by previous constables and to stand on the shoulders of those who’ve come before. More importantly, I want to serve the community in Precinct 1,” Findley said. “One of the things I have a great deal of respect for are those who serve Hopkins County, like Precinct 1 Constable Norman Colyer and the late Roger 'Tex' Maynard.”

He has 28 total years of law enforcement experience, 25 of which he served the citizens of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. Findley spent his first couple of years in law enforcement as a patrol officer with Sulphur Springs Police Department. He then stepped back to help wife Melonie run his fatherin- law’s Sears store for two years before returning to law enforcement. He spent 2 1/2 years on patrol as a deputy for HCSO, before being promoted to sergeant investigator assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. Findley is a TCOLE instructor and field training officer. He currently serves as hostage negotiator for HCSO and is a master peace officer, has served as a coordinator and board member of the Crime Stoppers board at HCSO, serves on the Civic Center board, and has assisted with the Blue Santa Program through HCSO for 18 years.

He noted that he has prior experience as a civil process server, eligible to deliver paperwork anywhere across the state except Harris County, which has it’s own court system for that.

Findley said he is lucky to have served under five sheriffs — CW Grayson, Mark Bassham, Bill Dirks, Butch Adams and Lewis Tatum, who lead with a great deal of honesty, hard work and professionalism.

Dennis and Melonie Findley's children all graduated from Sulphur Springs ISD and from Kilgore Police Academy. They have five grandchildren.

“Being a grandparent is by far the best job I’ve ever had,” Findley said.

Findley has lived in Hopkins County for 40 years, all in the Arbala, Reilly Springs and Sulphur Springs area. As his career begins to wind down, he said he’d like to do something a little bit different to directly serve the constituents of Precinct 1as constable.

“I want to serve the constituents and serve them to the best of my ability,” Findley said. “Their concerns are my concerns as well. I have an open door policy if they have something to address they can come and see me.”

Findley said he would continue to assist the sheriff ’s office, police department and state police.

Sheriff

Lewis Tatum is seeking a third term in office as Hopkins County Sheriff. His campaign chair person is HCSO Chief Deputy Tanner Crump.

Tatum has served in law enforcement for 25 years. He began his career with the sheriff ’s office at the bottom and worked his way up the chain of command. He was a street deputy, attained the rank of shift sergeant, then was made an investigator, and eventually was named chief investigator.

The incumbent commends the men and women who work for HCSO, describing it as “the best department in the state,” one he is very proud of.

His roots are solidly planted in Hopkins County, where his parents reside and where he and wife Michelle raised their children, and enjoy several grandchildren as well.

“I plan to be serving here as long as people keep me here and I keep producing,” Tatum said. “I want to keep doing what we are doing.

Precinct 1

Commissioner

Mickey Barker is also seeking a third term in office, as the Hopkins County Precinct 1 Commissioner. Barker filed the appropriate paperwork with Hopkins

County Clerk’s Office naming Jarred Pickett as his campaign treasurer.

“I have enjoyed these last few years serving the citizens of this community and county. I have more ideas to follow through on for Precinct 1 that will have an impact,' Barker said Thursday.

Prior to his run for Precinct 1 County Commissioner, Barker was employed with Verizon for 36 years, retiring as the North East Texas area construction manager, which includes Precinct 1 in Hopkins County. Those skills, he said, he’s been able to apply toward his duties serving Precinct 1 residents as commissioner for the past two terms.