Name
William Norris III
City
Wichita Falls
State
TX
Zip Code
76305
Campaign Website
https://www.votewilliamnorris.com/
My career path has included service in multiple agencies:
- Wichita County Sheriff’s Office: Detention Officer (2011-2014)
- Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO): Patrol Deputy (2014–2018), Patrol Sergeant (2021), Criminal Investigation Division (2022), and currently Lieutenant (2024–Present)
- Vernon Police Department: October–December 2018
- Electra Police Department: January 2019–November 2020
Throughout my career, I have completed more than 3,500 hours of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) training and 800 hours of Texas A&M My certifications include:
- Jail Administrator Cert
- Court Security Officer Cert
- School-Based Law Enforcement Cert
- Basic Instructor Cert
- Fire Investigation Cert
-Crisis Negotiator Cert
As Sheriff of Wichita County, I take this responsibility personally. Overcrowding, burnout, and untreated mental illness make our jail more dangerous for everyone. I will work closely with judges and prosecutors to reduce overcrowding by diverting non-violent, low-risk offenders into supervision and treatment programs, keeping jail space for those who truly threaten public safety. Our detention officers are the backbone of the jail, yet too many are exhausted and leaving. I will fight for better pay, safer staffing levels, consistent schedules, and leadership that supports them. When officers feel respected and protected, they stay.
Every inmate is someone’s family member. I will ensure timely medical and mental health care for all inmates.
Trust is built through presence, honesty, and follow-through. As Sheriff, I will ensure our deputies are visible, approachable, and engaged in every part of Wichita County. I have already begun important conversations with community programs, faith leaders, schools, and local organizations to listen, learn, and build partnerships that address concerns before they become crises. I will continue expanding outreach efforts rooted in transparency and accountability. Community concerns and complaints will be taken seriously and handled fairly. Trust also starts within the Sheriff’s Office by training, supporting, and holding deputies to high professional standards. When people see consistency, respect, transparency; that relationship improves.
To ensure effective patrol coverage and faster response times across Wichita County, I will use a zone-based deployment strategy. The county will be divided into clearly defined zones based on geography, population, call volume, and crime trends. Deputies will be assigned to these zones to reduce response times and increase officer presence where it is most needed. This approach allows us to balance coverage between rural and suburban areas without stretching resources too thin. Staffing and shift schedules will be adjusted to meet peak demand, and technology and mutual aid will support deputies in remote areas. Assigning deputies consistently to zones also builds familiarity with the community and effective patrol throughout the county.
Name
William Rutledge
City
Wichita Falls
State
Texas
Zip Code
76307
Campaign Website
rutledgeforsheriff.com
Bio Questions All Candidates
I am a lifetime resident of Wichita County and surrounding area. I graduated from Rider High School in 1983 and have a Bachelor's Degree from Midwestern State University. I have been married for over 33 years; my wife is a RN working at the United Regional Cancer Center. I have two children; my daughter is a Physican's Assistant at Texas Oncology in Dallas and my son is a CPA/Accounts manager for the Professional Golf Association in Frisco. I have two young grandsons from my son.
Qualifications: I have been a peace officer in the state of Texas for over 36 years. I started my career with the Wichita Falls Police Department in 1988. In 2009, I started with Wichita County Sheriff's Office. I worked my way through the ranks and have spent the last ten years in Command Staff. I was promoted to Chief Deputy in 2020. As Chief Deputy, I oversaw the operations of the Sheriff's Office and it's 217 employees. The greatest responsibility is preparing, presenting and managing the Sheriff Office budget. In 2026 it will be over 26 million dollars. I have a bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University, a Master Peace Officer Certification and a Master Jailer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
The Wichita County Jail is not overcrowded, housing about 500 inmates, including 40 held for other counties or the federal government. Housing these inmates generated approximately $1.4 million in 2025, which helped offset overtime costs caused by staffing shortages. As of January 17, 2026, the jail will be fully staffed by January 30. Staffing shortages have persisted statewide since COVID-19. Pay rates have been made more competitive by working with the Commissioners' Court and through Senate Bill 22. Medical and mental health services are the county’s most expensive jail expense, with the 2026 CorrHealth contract estimated at $4.9 million. The county will seek bids this year to select the most qualified provider at a reasonable cost.
The Sheriff’s Office began neighborhood watch programs more than ten years ago and continues to establish new watch areas throughout the county. We remain committed to working with these groups and addressing community concerns. Deputies patrol county communities daily and regularly assist other law enforcement agencies with traffic and calls for service during busy periods. Deputies also support local volunteer fire departments by responding to fire-related calls, traffic accidents, and medical emergencies. During fire responses, deputies provide traffic control and secure scenes to ensure firefighter safety.
Patrol operations are divided into four shifts: Days A & B, Nights A & B, with 5–7 deputies assigned to each. The county is divided into four zones, with each deputy assigned a zone per shift; some zones may have two deputies. Deputies conduct required property and special checks at least once per shift, based on call volume. Property checks include 52 businesses outside local police jurisdictions, while special checks are requested by residents, often during vacations. Deputies complete logs each shift documenting checks, calls for service, case numbers, traffic stops, and assistance to other agencies. Courthouse security and inmate transport are handled by separate units. Staffing needs are continuously evaluated during budget cycles.
