Staff writer

Joe Brad Hudson is running on the Republican ballot for Grayson County Sheriff. Hudson graduated from GCHS in 1986 and served the community as a paramedic for the Emergency Medical Service. In 1992 he became a sheriff's deputy. He graduated from Western's Sheriff Academy in 1994 and was elected sheriff in 1998. He has lived in Grayson County for 34 years.

During his first election Hudson focused on the things he could change for the officer and the community. Over the years he has helped the department accomplish many things.

He established the first and only Constable Program which allows constables to assist in serving court papers and backign up deputies making dangerous calls. He sought out and applied for many grants to assist the funding of the office, including the 'Cops in School' grant to place an officer in the middle and high schools. The office sponsored the "Safe Prom Night" program and made history with the first prom night with no fatalities.

Hudson made sure all the officers were in uniform and all the patrol cars were uniformly outfitted. The office now has a full time detective and K-9 unit and a new office building.

The major law enforcement issue today in Grayson County is methamphetamine. Hudson says it is the crux of crime in Grayson County. When a meth lab gets shut down and thefts decrease in that area it tells him that the people involved in the meth are creating the problems.

Hudson said, "There is a little recreational stealing but the majority of the crime is related to illicit drugs."

He says the office of sheriff is a multi-faceted job. It's not like the Andy Griffith anymore. The deputies must be certified based on the Police Officers Professional Standards and then you have to retain their services. Many departments are looking for certified officers and keeping officers can be hard.

Hudson says you have to provide an officer that keeps up with the changes in the business and give the deputies a chance to serve the community to the best of their ability. The working atmosphere has improved through professionality and officer moral is at an all time high.

Hudson says, "We are where we need to be right now." He plans to continue serving the county with the same enthusiams and energy.