Updated at 3:00 p.m.
Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hickman was named today interim sheriff of Harris County. County commissioners appointed the law enforcement veteran to fill the position left vacant when former Sheriff Adrian Garcia stepped down to run for Houston mayor.
The appointment of Hickman came after commissioners met in executive session.
County Judge Ed Emmett says he will bring innovation to the sheriff’s department.
“He’s one of these people that looks ahead,” says Emmett. “He’s savvy when it comes to technology and new approaches, and we’re the third largest county in the United States. We need to be running an operation that’s as up to date as possible, and Ron Hickman has that kind of skill.”
Hickman’s extensive law enforcement experience began as a Houston police officer, where he was a member of the search and recovery dive team and the bomb squad. He moved to the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office in 1983, and served as constable since 2001.
He says he’s looking forward to his newest challenge.
“We’ll undertake a period of time to audit the department, find out what programs and policies need to be changed if any, and then look forward to building a strong team, working with Commissioner’s Court, to better serve the citizens of Harris County,” Hickman says.
The Harris County Commissioners Court will now convene a special meeting next week to fill the constable’s seat left vacant by Hickman.