Williamson County Constable Precinct 3

04/12/2024

Recently, Constable Matt Lindemann and Sgt. Wilkie had the pleasure of attending the Touch a Truck event at Divine Savior Academy.

10/31/2023

Constable Lindemann recently attended Class 18 of the Texas Constable Leadership College that graduated October 27, 2023. The class had 23 members that represented 15 counties and 20 precincts. With a combined 468 years of law-enforcement experience.

10/23/2023

We had a wonderful day at the Trunk or Treat put on by the Williamson County Sheriff's Office on Saturday! We enjoyed seeing the costumes and chatting with our local community members. Looking forward to next year!

08/15/2023

Constable Lindemann was visited by US Marine Private Jacob Kitchens. Kitchens is a 2022 graduate of Hutto High School and is interested in a career in law enforcement, specifically becoming a Texas Ranger following his commitment to the Marines. Constable Lindemann and Kitchens’ father served as deputies for the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office in the 1980s. The Constable is thankful to have fine young people like Jacob who are interested in careers in the military and law enforcement to serve the public for generations to come.

08/03/2023

Mark your calendar!

07/31/2023

Last week, three of our officers received service awards for their time here in Williamson County. Sergeant Rodney Henk with 15 years, Deputy Danny Mailloux with 5 years and Chief Patrick Hurley with 5 years. Between the three, they have 94 years combined of law enforcement experience! Congratulations to all three and thank you for your service!

05/24/2023

Earlier this week, Constable Lindemann had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Harold Wright (pictured) and the Sun City Kiwanis Club about the 200th anniversary of the Texas Rangers. As a former Texas Ranger, Constable Lindemann has a vast knowledge of the history and culture of the Rangers and always enjoys sharing this with our community. Thank you to the Sun City Kiwanis Club for the invitation!

04/26/2023

We were honored to attend the National Crime Victims' Rights Week event today at the Georgetown Annex. The event was a chance for local law enforcement agencies and other local organizations, to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to victims' rights. Constable Lindemann had the privilege of giving the welcome speech. This event was also an opportunity to view the beautiful artwork from the "Survivor Voices" art exhibit.

03/09/2023

200th Anniversary of Constables and Justice of the Peace in Texas!

On March 5, 1823, Stephen F. Austin appointed the first Justice of the Peace for his original colony in Texas. That man was John Jackson Tumlinson, Sr. JP Tumlinson told Austin that he would need an officer of the court and Austin appointed the first Constable, Thomas Valentine Alley, who possessed both civil and criminal powers.

Constables are the earliest and oldest recorded peace officer in world history. They have served the Justice Court system since 1362. The position originated from the Eastern Roman Empire. The primary duty was commander of the King’s army and uphold the Crown rule of Orders. The Constable was the only one permitted to carry the King’s sword.

In England, by the turn of the sixth century, Constables were the Chief Household Officers. In 1066 England, under King William, the term “cop” was created for “Constable on Patrol”.

When the pilgrims landed in America in 1632, the first American Constable was appointed for the Plymouth colony. He enforced the orders of the colonial and county officials in both civil and criminal matters.

Back in Texas, another Constable was sworn in to protect Austin’s original colony. Three months later, with all the issues across Texas, the original two Constables stayed to protect the local colonies and ten other constables were sent out to protect the range and guard the frontier. These men later formed the Texas Rangers.

In 1836, the Constables and Rangers comprised an active group of around 200 men. This same group was strategically used to go in and move out the Native Americans from around the San Jacinto area. This allowed Sam Houston’s army to quietly attack Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.

The Constable was later written into Constitutional law and was the only law enforcement officer defined by the original Texas Constitution. At this time, Sam Houston formerly separated the Constables and Rangers. The Constable would be elected by the people in precincts. The Texas Rangers became an officer of the Republic. Both groups would be commissioned and report to the governor, which holds true today.

During the Civil War, most Constables joined their brothers, the Texas Rangers, and left to fight for the Confederate Army. From 1869 to 1872, there were no elected Constables in Texas. The Constitution of 1876 mandated once again that constables be elected at the local precinct level.

One of the most colorful Justice of the Peace was Judge Phantly Roy Bean of Pecos County. Judge Roy Bean served from 1882 to 1896 and was known as “The law west of the Pecos”. The first female Justice of the Peace was Hallie Stillwell of Brewster County, and served from 1962 to 1977.

Familiar figures have spent part of their lives and careers as a Constable or Deputy Constable. They include, Virgil and Wyatt Earp, “Wild Bill” Hickok, Texas Ranger Clint Peoples and Constable John Henry Selman who shot and killed John Wesley Hardin on August 19, 1895.
JP Tumlinson only stayed in office for three months. He joined the Texas Ranger unit and is considered the first Texas Ranger to die in the line of duty.

Constables are given Constitution authority to enforce both civil and criminal laws. State and city police officers are given the authority to only enforce criminal laws. Constables have the authority to enforce almost every law in the State of Texas. In Texas, a Constable office may have traffic divisions, criminal investigation divisions, patrol and special response teams besides their civil process division.

A Constable is considered to be the “Peoples Police” because of their Constitutional origin and local elected representation of the people. Today, there are more than 750 Constables to serve the citizens of the State of Texas.

02/21/2023

Constable Lindemann recently spent some time with the Sun City American Legion Post #228, explaining some of the duties and responsibilities of the Constable's Office, as well as sharing some history about the Texas Rangers. He was presented with a Certificate of Commendation by Post Commander Larry Mladek, shown in the photo as well. Thank you to the Sun City American Legion Post #228 for having Constable Lindemann out as a guest speaker!

12/20/2022

Warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

12/01/2022

Sharing for the numerous agencies searching for Athena!

UPDATE for Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022: SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING CHILD — Multiple law enforcement agencies and other first responders searched overnight for a missing 7-year-old girl in the Paradise/Cottondale area. Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, a parent reported her daughter, Athena Strand, missing. The mother said she went to the daughter’s room, but she was not there. After about an hour looking for the child, she contacted the sheriff’s office. The Wise County Sheriff’s Office, DPS, the local Texas Ranger, Fort Worth Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department, local fire departments, Wise County EMS, Search Rescue One (K-9 assisted) and several others searched the surrounding area. The child was not found, but the search is continuing, Akin said. The child was last seen in the vicinity of the 200 block of County Road 3573 in Paradise. If you have any information regarding the child’s whereabouts, call WCSO, 940-627-5971. Read more: https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/update-for-thursday-december-1-2022/