Chris Jett

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Burnet County Precinct 3 Constable Jimmy Ballard died early Monday, July 2, after losing a two-year fight with cancer and being removed from life support late Sunday. He was 57.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Burnet County Sheriff-elect Calvin Boyd introduced his choice for a new chief deputy Monday, Dec. 19, introducing Mike Cummings of Houston at a morning press conference.

“Mike Cummings has a great resume and he is going to be really good for the Sheriff's Office,” said Boyd. “There is a lot of excitement in the Sheriff's Office.”

Boyd, who won his post handily in the Republican Primary, will quietly take the oath of office at midnight on New Year's Eve to step into the shoes of retiring Burnet County Sheriff W.T. Smith.

He went on to enumerate the chain of command reporting to Cummings: Chris Jett, as the new administrative captain; Capt. Ricky Bindseil, continuing as patrol captain; Capt. Dwight Hardin, in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Special Operations Unit (SOU), and Capt. Matt Kimbler, in charge of the Burnet County Jail.

By Frank Shubert

The Highlander Publisher

Burnet County Commissioners Court met in regular session on Tuesday, Dec 13. Among the first items of business included action on replacing Burnet County Precinct 4 Constable Chris Jett with Millicent “Missy” Bindseil.

Jett resigned his office in November to accept the position of Administrative Captain with the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office.

“My command staff position is responsible for developing a new policies manual, evaluating and helping implement new technology,” said Jett “I will also also be responsible for dispatch, court security, warrants and bonds, and civil process.”

The Court expressed their appreciation for Jett’s service.

“You’ve been an outstanding constable,” said Precinct 1 Commissioner Bill Neve.