JASPER, Texas — As Jasper County Sheriff elect Chuck Havard prepares to take office January 1, 2025, he has been busy sorting though an assortment of potential candidates for several different positions.
As of Tuesday one of those positions has been filled, as Sheriff elect Havard named DPS Special Agent Larry Pulliam, Jr. his new Chief Deputy according to a recent press release.
“The Chief Deputy job is 70-80 hour-a-week job and Larry is up to the task. His integrity and work ethic are second to none. He brings a high level of investigative and leadership skills, as well as a wealth of knowledge to the position, and is entering his 30th year in law enforcement. I feel that he will be a perfect fit and will do an excellent job for both JCSO and the citizens of Jasper County,” said Sheriff elect Havard.
Pulliam is a graduate of Jasper High School and Kilgore Police Academy. He started his first law enforcement job as a Deputy Sheriff for Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
Pulliam made several high-profile arrests while working for JCSO, including the first arrest in the James Byrd, Jr. case. In 1998, he was selected for and graduated from The Texas Department of Public Safety Academy according to the press release.
The as a trooper Pulliam was stationed in Pampa, Deweyville, and Orange. He was promoted to Highway Patrol Corporal in 2003, and subsequently promoted to Special Agent within the DPS Criminal Investigations Division in 2004.
On August 31st, 2024, Pulliam retired as the DPS-CID Region 2 Training Coordinator and was responsible for coordinating and training DPS CID special agents within Region 2 and across the state.
"I am looking forward to being a part of Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, again. This is the agency that gave me my start and I’m honored that Sheriff (Elect) Havard selected me for this position. We will bring an unprecedented level of professionalism to the Sheriff’s Office. JCSO is near-and-dear to my heart and I’m ready to serve the citizens of this county. It’s great to be coming back home!” Pulliam said.
Sheriff elect Havard expressed his appreciation for current Sheriff Mitchel Newman who he says has been very cooperative and accommodating throughout this process.
Sheriff elect Havard says Sheriff Newman will be allowing Larry to come on board in the near future to assist in the transition.
