Tommy Ratliff gets the nod for Hays County Sheriff

Ratliff retired from the Texas Rangers in August after 21 years of service with the Rangers. He served 12 of those years in Ranger Company F, which includes Hays, Caldwell and Blanco Counties

By Bob Ochoa
RoundUp Editor

Retired Texas Ranger Tommy Ratliff was appointed sheriff of Hays County today after a lively two-hour special meeting of the county commissioners court. The meeting was held in open session – not in closed executive session has had been proposed late last week.

The appointment of Ratliff to replace former Sheriff Allen Bridges, who died suddenly on Dec. 6, ended days of speculation and vigorous debate over who would or who should replace Bridges.

Asked if he was surprised with his appointment, Ratliff said, "Sure. There were a lot of good people, a lot of good candidates. You fee real humbled. I don't intend to let anybody down."

Ratliff's name was placed in nomination by Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, which was seconded by Pct. 4 Commissioner Karen Ford. The final vote was 4-1, with Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley casting the lone dissenting vote.

Ratliff was not considered among the favorites to replace Bridges going into today's special court session. The leading contenders appeared to be Bridges' Chief Deputy Sheriff Sherman Brodbeck, Bridges' Nov. 4 election opponent Democrat Bill Huddleston, and Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd.

Before his appointment to sheriff, Ratliff was poised to take over the unexpired term of Hays County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Lamont Ramage, a Democrat, who is retiring at the end of the year. Asked what he will be bringing to the sheriff's job, Ratliff said, "I am going to bring 23 years of law enforcement experience. I can bring it all together for the safety of our citizens and the benefit of our county."

Ratliff retired from the Texas Rangers in August after 21 years of service with the Rangers. He served 12 of those years in Ranger Company F, which includes Hays, Caldwell and Blanco Counties.

"There were so many important cases that I was involved in" Ratliff said. The most difficult case for him personally, he said, was the shooting death of DPS Trooper Randy Vetter. Vetter was gunned down during a traffic stop at the Yarrington Road exit and I35 just south of Kyle in August of 2000.

"It affected me emotionally and professionally," Ratliff said, " . . .when you've had a trooper who has worn the same uniform you have. There's a lot of pressure on you as an investigator to make sure you do things correctly; it's a very hard case on you personally."