11/19/2011
“I have re-established a good working relationship with the sheriffs from Hopkins, Franklin, Delta and Hunt counties, along with sheriffs of other Texas counties,” he said. “When available we went once a month to a different location, along with our wives, to have a meal and discuss crime problems, different ideas and events.”
Wansley says, due to the current economic situations, it has become necessary to rely on departments such as Texas Parks & Wildlife, the Department of Public Safety and the Ranger service for help in major criminal investigations.
“We are actively working major crimes which took place before, as well as after, my being elected as sheriff. We have had the assistance of the DEA in narcotic investigations and the TABC with alcohol-related investigations,” he added. “These agencies want to help and by using these resources it is financially beneficial to Wood County.”
Wansley said his other accomplishments include starting an animal control program, maintaining a high level of training for all sheriff's office employees, purchasing new pickups as patrol vehicles and decreasing the “revolving door” issue.
“Before it was over 50 deputies gone in 37 months and now in 32 months only nine have left, with three of those terminated for disciplinary matters,” he said.
About the trucks, Wansley says these vehicles can be used for off-road travel better than cars such as oilfield roads, pastures and dirt roads, as well as used for hauling stolen property and pulling the sheriff’s department boats to the four county lakes when needed.
“All of these trucks are equipped for this use,” he said. “This is rural East Texas and some of the places we go you need a truck to get there and they cost less to purchase, have more room inside for carrying prisoners and will bring more on trade-in when finished with them. The new vehicles also ensures good response time on calls, plus, this is a savings to you, the taxpayers.”
Before taking the office of sheriff, Wansley served as Quitman police chief. Of his 33 years of service, Wansley has spent most of his law enforcement career at the sheriff’s department or at the police department.
Currently, he is a member of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas, and attended and completed all the training courses sponsored by the association; the Marine Corps League Detachment 1278 of Mineola; the Fouke Community Crime Watch; the HAWKS in Winnsboro as an honorary member; the American Legion Post 340 in Winnsboro; Turkey Hill Shooting Club in Mineola; the Lake Country Fraternal Order of Police; the Lake Country Republicans and the American Quarter Horse Association.
Wansley was born and reared in Wood County and attended school in Quitman. Shortly after his graduation from high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corp and served with the 1st Marine Division. He served in the Vietnam conflict from 1970-1971 and then returned home where he served in a reserve status until 1975, before being honorably discharged.
In 1979, Wansley went to work for Sheriff Bill Edd Jones as a deputy until he was injured in the line of duty by three escaping inmates. Following his recovery, Wansley continued working for the sheriff’s department until 1989, and then began working for the Quitman Police Department as a patrol officer and later advanced to sergeant.
In 1995, Wansley became chief of police following the retirement of Chief Jim Certain. While employed at the police department, he says he was able to earn his master peace officer certificate in 2000.
Wansley and his wife, Jeannette, have been married more than 15 years and are members of Lake Fork Baptist Church. He has a stepdaughter and son-in-law, Tanya and Don Weems of Quitman, and two grandsons, Jody and Josh Weems of College Station.
If re-elected, Wansley said he will continue to upgrade and improve the sheriff's office to better serve Wood County.
