New Rusk Police chief named Monday

l Rusk Mayor Angela Raiborn welcomes Joe Evans as the new Rusk police chief. The announcement was made Monday afternoon during a special meeting. Following a two-month search, the Rusk City Council named Joe Evans as the new Rusk police chief during a special session Monday afternoon.

Mr. Evans will assume command May 18 of a 10-man force with an annual budget of almost $700,000.

The city of Rusk contracted with Law Enforcement Management Services (LEMS) to help with the search and selection. After narrowing the field from 25 to five, a local review panel conducted a final round of interviews on Saturday and returned their recommendations to the city council.

Panel members included Rusk City Manager Mike Murray, City Councilman Kris Morgan, Maxine Session, a member of the local business community; Todd Hunter, chief of Police in Jasper and Marlin Price, a principal partner in LEMS.

Evans' prior experience

Mr. Evans has a law enforcement career spanning 40 years.

He is currently employed by the Cherokee County District Attorney's office as an investigator.

Prior to that, he served as the sheriff of Nacogdoches County for 15 years. Earlier in his career, he served 16 years as a Department of Public Safety trooper.

Mr. Evans holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Stephen F. Austin State University, where he is currently working on his master's.

He is a graduate of the FBI's National Academy in Quantico, Va., and has served as a law enforcement instructor for both the East Texas Women's Shelter and Angelina College.

He has also been appointed by the governor to serve on both the State Commission on Jail Standards and the Texas Punishment Standards Commission.

He received the East Texas Award and Leadership Award from the East Texas Peace Officers Association - an organization he served as president.

Mr. Evans is also an arson investigator.

Mr. Murray said that Mr. Evans was selected for his outstanding qualifications and leadership, and he expressed gratitude to the panel who assisted in the interviewing process.

"Joe distinguished himself. He is committed to working with all parts of our community to continue making the city of Rusk a superior place to live and work," said Mr. Murray.

Mayor Angela Raiborn agreed. "We were fortunate to have a chief of Ronny Miller's caliber for so many years,. I'm looking forward to working with Chief Evans," she said. "I know he will do an outstanding job."

Chief Miller resigned last week after 23 years' service in Rusk.

The search for his replacement began two months ago when he announced his plans to retire.

"There are still a number of steps in the process," said Mr. Murray. "We will conduct a detailed background investigation, as required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education."