The newly appointed Brown County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 took the Oath of Office Wednesday afternoon in the county courthouse.

Ted Perez was appointed on May 10 of this year upon the retirement of Jim Cavanaugh.  Perez took the Oath of Office from County Judge, Dr. Paul Lilly.  Perez was joined by his wife, Charlene.  Perez becomes the first Hispanic in Brown County to hold the office of Justice of the Peace.

When asked what this day meant to him:

“It’s an important day.  You don’t just assume an office like this, of this magnitude, without it affecting you,” Perez said.

Assuming the JP duties is a continuation of a long history of public service, dating back to his years with the Lubbock Police Department.

“I’ve been in public service now for over 40 years, closing in on 45.  This is just an extension, or continuation, of that public service that I feel like I have to do,” Perez said.

He spent almost 31 years as a Lubbock police officer and retired as a sergeant.  Upon moving to Brown County, he began working as a reserve officer for the Brownwood PD for about eight years.  He then went to work for the Brown County Sheriff’s Department where he has been the last five years.  His most recent service was as part of the security team in the Brown County Courthouse.

Justice of the Peace duties include doing inquests, performing marriages, small claims court and evictions.

(IN THE PHOTO:  Ted Perez is shown taking the Oath of Office administered by Brown County Judge, Dr. Paul Lilly.  Judge Perez was joined by his wife, Charlene.  His duties began immediately as Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace for Brown County.)