New and returning county officials were sworn in to begin their terms as 2025 began last week.
New officeholders were sworn in by County Judge Justin Lewis just minutes into the new year Wednesday, January 1. Taking the oath shortly after midnight were Sheriff Hunter Barnes, Precinct 1 Constable Kyle Nevil and Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Mark Hammonds.
Barnes has been in law enforcement for over 20 years, serving as a master peace officer, a leader in the jail systems, a mental health peace officer and a supervisory sergeant for the Hill County Sheriff’s Office.
Barnes also brings to Hill County his experience as a training deputy for one of the largest sheriff’s departments in North Texas.
He is an ALERRT instructor with specific training to address active shooter events. He holds instructor licenses in several other law enforcement categories, such as firearms instructor and jail instructor.
Barnes and his wife, Melissa, have two daughters who attend Hillsboro schools. His family history goes back generations in Hill County, beginning with his great-grandfather Bill Priddy, who opened the original Whitney ice house.
Barnes defeated incumbent Rodney Watson in the Republican primary last March and was uncontested in November’s general election.
Nevil brings over 30 years of law enforcement experience to the constable’s office, having most recently served as Whitney’s police chief.
Nevil is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He spent 25 years with the Collin County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Hill County Sheriff’s Office as an investigator. He was promoted to investigations sergeant and patrol lieutenant during his time at the sheriff’s office before joining the Whitney Police Department in 2023.
Nevil is a master peace officer and has served in numerous law enforcement roles, including working as a TCOLE instructor, dive team and SWAT team member, detention officer, detention sergeant, patrol deputy, patrol supervisor and warrant deputy.
Former Precinct 1 Constable John Miller did not seek another term last year and endorsed Nevil, who defeated challenger Rob Best in the March primary and had a clear path to office with no Democratic challenger in November.
Hammonds was selected by the Hill County Commissioners Court to replace Shane Brassell, who began his new position as county jail administrator this year.
Hammonds served as a game warden in Hill County for 13 years before being promoted to the Game Warden Training Center in Hamilton. In 2017, he was promoted to captain within the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Executive Office of Internal Affairs. He served in that capacity until his retirement in August 2023.
Prior to his time with TPWD, Hammonds began his career in public service working in emergency medical services and later as a probation officer in charge of coordinating educational and rehabilitative programs for the 271st Judicial District’s adult probation office and the Wise County Sheriff’s Department’s jail.
The new justice of the peace holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and attended Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Arlington.
Hammonds and his wife, Tennille, have been married over 20 years and have two daughters — Hayden attends Aquilla High School, and Harper attends Tarleton State University.
Hammonds was unanimously appointed to serve until the office is back on the ballot in 2026.
Other county officials beginning new terms this year include: District Attorney Mark Pratt, County Attorney David Holmes, Tax Assessor-Collector Krissi Hightower, Precinct 1 Commissioner Jim Holcomb, Precinct 2 Constable Justin Girsh, Precinct 3 Commissioner Scotty Hawkins, Precinct 3 Constable Larry Armstrong and Precinct 4 Constable Kevin Cordell.
A ceremonial swearing-in ceremony that included returning officeholders was held Thursday morning, January 2, at the courthouse.
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