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Four vying for Pct. 3 Constable
The constable is the first link in the county's chain of law enforcement. Their chief duties are to subpoena witnesses, act as bailiff, execute judgments and service of process. Along with their deputies, constables have all the enforcement powers of Texas peace officers. They work closely with all other law enforcement agencies within the counties they serve. Terry Brunk Terry Brunk currently serves precinct #4 as court bailiff, serving civil papers, administrative obligations and backing up the Sheriff's Department. He also serves as License and Weight officer for all of Smith County. Brunk says he is divorced and has two grown children and a two-year-old granddaughter. He started with the precinct #4 office as animal control officer in 2002. After completing the Tyler Police Academy in 2003, Brunk began performing the deputy constable duties.
After several years in sales and warehouse management, Brunk took the opportunity to go back to his calling of law enforcement. At the age of 55, he completed his training at the Tyler Police Academy where he received the "Never Give Up Attitude Award." The honor was given to Brunk for his excellent physical fitness efforts. As a member of the East Texas Peace Officers Association, Texas Sheriff's Association and the Justice of the Peace and Constables Association, Brunk says he is ready to put his five and a half years at the constable's office to work for the people of precinct #3. "I want to have an open door policy," Brunk said. "I want the people of precinct #3 to be informed of what is going on in their community." Brunk expressed a strong interest in getting the people of the precinct more involved in their area and encourages them to keep an eye open for any activity that does not look right and to take the time to report to the constable's office.
"I'm not a politician," Brunk said. "I'm a cop." Gary Guthrie Gary Guthrie, who just returned from Iraq after working for a contractor for the Department of the Army, says fate moved him to file as a candidate for the office of constable for precinct #3. "I've always wanted to be in the position," Guthrie said. "I was home on R and R, it was during the sign up time and I did it." Guthrie, who is married and has three children and four grandchildren, says he was groomed in civil process most of his life. His mother was the late Judge Mary Guthrie. Having been a peace officer for 25 years, Guthrie is a Master Peace Officer state instructor in firearms and civil process and has served as an adjunct instructor at the Tyler Junior College Police Academy. He served in the Arp Marshal's office, Tatum Police Department, Troup PD and many years as chief deputy in the constable precinct #3 office.
"The civil process duties and security of the court are what's mandated," Guthrie pointed out. "The rest is important, but these duties are a must." He continued, "The constable has to be cooperative, not confrontational in working with other agencies." Guthrie says the office has a tremendous potential and he is looking forward to the opportunity to serve the citizens with what they need and at the same time protecting the county's liability. The business of civil process is a delicate one and must be done to the "letter of the law." Guthrie says he is the man to do that. "What I bring to the office is 100 percent dedication," Guthrie said. "You've got to be there for the people. They've got to know they can get a straight and correct answer from you." Guthrie really enjoys giving back to his community through his involvement and membership in the Henry Marsh Bell Masonic Lodge and the Shriners.
Rod Langlinais, 36, and proud father of two sons, one daughter and two stepsons, is a patrol sergeant for the Arp Police Department as well as doing pipeline work. His time in law enforcement began as he completed the police academy in Kilgore in 2001. While at the academy, Langlinais received the Director's Award for professional conduct. He has worked in the Arp PD as a juvenile officer, conducting investigations and working closely with the schools. "In a small department, such as ours," Langlinais said, "you have the opportunity to experience a bit of everything." Langlinais believes that being fair and honest with people on both sides of the badge is essential in making of a good law enforcement officer. He says that it has been his goal as a patrol officer and will continue if chosen by the voters for the office of constable. "It's important to build good relationships and gain the trust of the public," he said. "In the time I've been in law enforcement, it's what I've learned best." "I've got the reputation of a fair man and officer," Langlinais continued. "And I would bring that to the constable's office." During his time at the Arp PD, Langlinais has received an award from his chief for his positive public relations work. Langlinais has some goals beyond the regular duties of the constable's officer. He says he'd really like to see the office be able to go into the schools and bring some programs along side what the schools are doing. He has done a great deal of that in Arp using the Fatal Vision goggles and breathalyzer tests to show students the dangers of drinking and using drugs. Getting to know the people of the precinct and a good working relationship with other law enforcement agencies is also at the top of his list, should he be elected to the position. Langlinais says he's ready, willing and able to serve the citizens of precinct #3. Dustin Rust Dustin Rust began his law enforcement career before he was even old enough to have a career. He began the Police Explorers program at age 14 and completed the program at age 19 with the rank of captain. This gave him hands-on experience and a working knowledge of law enforcement as a teen and paved the way for the career he chose. Rust is 27 years old. He and wife Jessica live in Whitehouse. Before coming to the Whitehouse PD in 2005, Rust worked at the Smith County Sheriff's Department as a jailer, fugitive transport, bailiff and in patrol. Rust acquired his associate's degree in law enforcement technologies and is seeking a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Along with his PD duties, Rust has his own business, Emergency Resource Technologies. In 2003, he received The Hope Award for domestic violence prevention. Rust was given a Judicial Certificate of Appreciation in 2005 for his involvement in the Smith County courthouse shooting. Rust says he knows the budget for the constable's office is very tight and will do his best to make the most of it. But he plans to work diligently to receive grant money to expand some of the services and projects for the office including a concentration on environmental hazards and illegal dumping. "I really want to turn the constable's office into a proactive agency," Rust said. "If any other agency or citizen needs assistance, we're going to be out there to help." Rust says he would like to see a full-time DWI enforcement officer on board to help reduce the staggering numbers of alcohol-related fatalities in this area. During a recent meeting of the East Texas Regional Fraternal Order of Police, the candidates for the constable's position were invited to speak to the group. According to Det. Adam Tarrent, president of the group, members of the FOP met and voted to give their endorsement to Rust. EARLY VOTING INFORMATION Early voting for the March 4 Primary Elections runs Feb. 19-29 in the following locations:
Hours for early voting are Feb. 9-22, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 23, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Feb. 25-29, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
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