JEFFERSON COUNTY, Texas — Vidor's police chief is preparing to formally announce his intent to run for the office of Jefferson County sheriff in the 2020 election.
Rod Carroll is set to announce his candidacy as the Republican candidate on December 3.
Carroll has 31 years of experience in law enforcement according to a campaign news release.
Carroll served as the assistant chief deputy in the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and is the former owner of Stat Care EMS.
He held several positions which include patrol, criminal investigations, field training officer, SWAT, public information officer and community-oriented policing officer according to the release.
Carroll ran for the office of Jefferson County sheriff in 2016 while he served as the Assistant Chief Deputy, but lost to current sheriff Zena Stephens in the democratic primary according to 12News file stories.
From a Rod Carroll for sheriff news release:
Rod has 31 years of experience in law enforcement and a thorough understanding of the duties of Sheriff. Rod has experience in both law enforcement and corrections. Rod is the current Chief of Police in Vidor, Texas and former Assistant Chief Deputy in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Besides his law enforcement experience, he is the former owner of a small business, Stat Care EMS, which he grew to the largest privately owned Ambulance service in Texas. Rod understands the responsibility of meeting a payroll, while providing a stable work environment for co-workers to enable them to provide for their families. As a business leader, Rod, is the recipient of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year Award and a nominee for Southeast Texan of the Year Award for his civic service in numerous non-profit organizations by the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission.
As a Certified Public Accountant, Rod understands the need of a budget and fiscal restraints. The Sheriff’s Office operates the largest departmental budget with a $41 Million dollar budget as they protect our community from those that will do us harm. The next Sheriff must understand that they must be efficient and effective with tax dollars and above all else they must be a good steward of tax-payers’ money while providing the best service available to the community that we serve. Rod believes that the Sheriff’s Office should have zero tolerance for drugs and crime in our community. He further believes that together we can build a better community to raise our children and feel safe in our homes.
Rod’s career in law enforcement includes 2 Officer of the Year Awards, 2 Life Saving Awards and numerous accommodations for dedication to duty. He has held several positions which include patrol, criminal investigations, field training officer, SWAT, public information officer, community oriented policing officer, Assistant Chief Deputy and Chief of Police.
