Rusk County Sheriff's Office

08/04/2026

A Burn Ban has been put into effect by the Rusk County Judge. A copy of the order can be found at the following link:

https://www.ruskcountytxfire.gov/files/f799c33f4/RUSK+COUNTY+BURN+BAN+EFFECTIVE+AUGUST+4TH+2026.pdf

ORDER NUMBER 2026-08-01CC
AN ORDER PROHIBITING OUTDOOR BURNING BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF RUSK
COUNTY, TEXAS
Commissioners Court Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning
WHEREAS, the Commissioners Court of Rusk County, Texas, has been advised of the present drought conditions and fire weather; and
WHEREAS, the Commissioners Court finds that conditions in the county's unincorporated areas pose a public safety hazard that outdoor burning would worsen; and
WHEREAS, the Commissioners Court is authorized to prohibit or restrict outdoor burning in the unincorporated area of the county under Texas Local Government Code, Section 352.081;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the Commissioners Court of Rusk County, Texas, that:
1. Outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Rusk County
2. Exceptions include outdoor burning for public health and safety authorized by the TCEQ, and burns conducted by a certified prescribed burn manager following Texas Natural Resources Code requirements.
3. Outdoor cooking in contained grills or fire pits is allowed with adequate fire suppressant on site.
4. This order is effective immediately for no more than 90 days, unless ended earlier or renewed.
5. Violating this order is a Class C misdemeanor with a fine up to $500.
Adopted this 4th day of August, 2026
/s/ Joel Hale
Joel Hale
County Judge, Rusk County

07/20/2026

We lost a great man on Friday night. Sheriff Pirtle has gone on to be with our Lord! He was a devoted husband, father, and Sheriff of our county. Keep his family in your prayers!

Johnwayne

07/08/2026

We ask everyone to join us as we pray for the fallen Deputy’s family and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

07/04/2026

06/22/2026

These scammers are convincing, cleaver, and diligent about one thing, STEALING YOUR MONEY! Law Enforcement all across this country are constantly fielding call and reports of a scammer that has taken their money.

Law Enforcement will NEVER call you asking for money for failure to attend jury duty, to pay your toll fee, or call from a county jail requesting money for your loved ones attorney fees!

Law Enforcement will NEVER call you asking for money for anything! But I have a tip for you, buy a small airhorn from your favorite store. When they call you claiming to be a police officer and you need to send them money for the stories above, take the airhorn and place it on the phone and press that button!

Johnwayne

06/16/2026

All Frontier Communications have been repaired. Our non emergency lines are all backup. Our thanks to them for repairing these lines quickly!

Johnwayne

06/09/2026

Please help our Game Wardens with information on this case.

Johnwayne

06/07/2026

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY!

At 7:10 this morning the Sheriff’s Office received a stolen vehicle call on CR 341 and our units and Highway Patrol arrived in the area. The vehicle was stopped on FM 1251 and Laningham was taken into custody!

On 6/5/2026 at 6:00pm, the Sheriff’s Office received a call of a two vehicle crash on Hwy. 79 East near CR 341 in the Chapman community. Information received by dispatch was that two people fled the scene of the crash on foot. DPS was able to locate and arrest the female near the scene. One male wasn’t located and is believed to be Derek Laningham.

On 6/6/2026 at 8:00am, the Sheriff’s Office received a call from a resident located on CR 341and advised that a male subject was in his home. Before Deputies arrived, the suspect fled in an unknown direction. The caller advised that his car keys and clothing were stolen. It is unclear what the suspect is wearing. Deputies and Investigators searched the area on foot and side by side but were unable to locate him. The caller identified the suspect as Derek Laningham as the person that was in his home. He has a warrant for his arrest. Deputies will continue to search the area. If you see a suspicious person in this area, please call the Sheriff’s Office.

Johnwayne

06/05/2026

On June 2, 2026 the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Game Wardens arrested fugitive from justice Dustin Aiken 37 of Kilgore on outstanding Rusk County Warrants for Evading Arrest with motor vehicle, Theft of property, Possession of Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1, and a federal detainer warrant for Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon. At the time of arrest Aiken was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine and a firearm. Aiken received additional on view charges for Possession of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1 , and Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon. The arrest stemmed from a tip received by Texas Game Wardens that Aiken was trespassing on private property. The arrest occurred in a wooded area off of Rusk County Road 1114. Aiken is currently confined in the Rusk County Jail on bonds totaling one hundred and five thousand dollars ($105,000.00). Bonds were set by Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Jana Enloe. Aiken is currently a person of interest in other thefts currently being investigated by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

Our thanks to our Texas Game Wardens for their assistance!
Johnwayne