BEUMONT — Retired Beaumont Police Lt. Ray Beck has announced his candidacy for Jefferson County Sheriff, bringing the total to three seeking the county’s top law enforcement job.

Beck announced Tuesday he planned to run for the position currently held by retiring Sheriff Mitch Woods, who announced earlier this month he would not be seeking another term. Woods has been Jefferson County Sheriff for the past 20 years.

Beck will run on the Republican ticket.

Beck, a 38-plus-year law enforcement veteran, retired from the Beaumont Police Department in December 2012.

Beck announced his candidacy Tuesday on the courthouse steps with a historic reference to “high noon.”

He graduated from Lamar University with a BS degree in Criminal Justice. At Beaumont’s police department, Beck served in a variety of capacities from street patrol to administrative roles, as well as many leadership positons.

He served as lead investigator in the capital murder of Officer Paul Haulsy by convicted killer Michael Lee Lockhart, according to a press statement issued by Beck’s campaign.

Beck has volunteered on the boards and committees of many local organizations including, the 100 Club, Cops and Kids, neighborhood associations, the DARE program, the Boys and Gils Scouts of America, American Red Cross, and Citizens for a Safe Community. He also developed the Police and Community program.

Beck will run against the winner of the March Democratic Primary in November 2016.

So far Rod Carroll, who was appointed assistant deputy chief by Woods recently, and Joe “Quarterback” Stephenson, Precinct 1 chief deputy constable have announced plans to run on the Democratic ticket.

Stephenson ran unsuccessfully against Woods in 2012.

Filing for the March 1 primaries begins in mid-November and ends in mid-December.

E-mail: sherry.koonce@panews.com

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