Former Panola County Sheriff’s Department investigator Terry Smith was appointed to fill the post of Constable for the Southern District (District 2) at Monday’s meeting of the board of supervisors.

Effective Jan.13, Smith will wear badge C3, the badge numbered C2 having been retired by the board the week after Raye Hawkins, the longtime wearer, was killed Dec. 12 while assisting Batesville police trying to stop a truck stolen from Tallahatchie County.

“Raye was my first cousin so it’s an honor to fill his position and I look forward to serving in the same professional manner he did,” Smith said. “I thank the board and I will serve the people of Panola County the same way I did for over 20 years.”

Smith began his law enforcement career with the Batesville Police Department in 1998 and transferred to the Sheriff’s Office in 2006. He had announced his retirement late last year, but said he was glad to fill the post.

Smith said he looks forward to working with both the Sheriff’s Office and Batesville Police in the execution of his duties.

In other supervisor appointments from Monday’s meeting at the Sardis Courthouse, the following were approved unanimously:

• ● Charlie Gaines Baker was re-appointed to serve as board attorney. He is also the elected County Attorney for the whole of Panola.
• ● Kate Victor will be the County Administrator.
• ● Larry Britt was re-appointed as County Engineer. Britt was represented by Steven Gray at the meeting. He told the supervisors Britt will be spending much of January in Jackson working with the new state legislature as they determine what funds are available for road and bridge projects during the coming year.
• ● Emergency Management Operations director Daniel Cole was re-appointed, and will continue to fill the roles of E-911 coordinator and fire coordinator.
• ● Chad Meek was re-appointed as Flood Plain manager and Planning Director for property and housing in the county.
• ● Ann Cauthen was re-appointed as Purchasing Clerk, and Amanda Herron as assistant. Brenda Morris was re-appointed as Inventory Control Clerk, and Tom Austin as Receiving Clerk.
• In the Tax Assessor/Collector’s Office, Natascha H. Turner and Alanna Norwood were approved as new hires as deputy tax collectors. Janie Ard, a veteran of the office, was promoted to office manager.
• The supervisors also approved the purchase of a new 4WD, crew cab truck for O’dell Draper, the new assessor/collector, from Hallmark Ford at a cost of $40,041.
• In the Sheriff’s Department, Shane Phelps requested that four names be added to his original list of hires presented to the board members in late December. Amber Shegog-Brown and Melissa Johnson were approved for secretary positions, Tommy Lindsey was approved as a part-time deputy (from full-time), and Andy Estridge was approved as part-time deputy.
• In other appointments, Calvin Land was re-appointed as fire commissioner, and Darrell Manning was appointed to take the place of Tony Meyer, who asked to be replaced, at the Mt. Olivet Fire District.
• Cole reported the association of county fire chiefs asked him to relay a request to the supervisors that no money be spent on county fire equipment without first telling them of pending purchases.
• The supervisors quickly voted 5-0 to deny that request, stating they will appropriate county money as they see fit. In other fire department business, the board agreed to pay a repair bill of $2,650 for the primary fire truck at the Crenshaw Department.