McLemore recognized for service as reserve officer
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Robert McLemore was recognized last week by the Jasper County Commissioners Court as a retired peace officer for his 15 years of service as a reserve deputy sheriff and a deputy constable for Precinct 2.

Many people don't realize that there is a cadre of unpaid volunteer law officers who donate their time and spend their own money to serve the county.

"It's kind of like a volunteer fireman," County Judge Mark Allen explained. "They give their time because they want to serve the community."

Precinct 2 Constable Ralph Nichols said he first worked with McLemore when he was a reserve deputy for the sheriff's office beginning in 1992.

"He (McLemore) assisted every weekend. He served all the way through the Byrd trial, which was awful for Jasper and would have overwhelmed our resources if not for volunteers like him," Nichols said.

"He's done so much over the years, helping me serve back warrants and finding people. He's donated thousands of hours and he's been there for us," Nichols told the commissioners.

Allen said volunteer law officers like McLemore pay for their own training and equipment. They are licensed by the state to carry a gun, make arrests and perform most of the functions of a paid officer.

"Most of them do it because they love the work," Allen said. "They'd do it full time if they could afford to, but if a man can make $120,000 in private industry doing something like air-conditioner repairs, I can understand why he would choose to serve as a volunteer instead."

McLemore was disabled by an accident when he was doing post-hurricane repairs on his roof. He resigned his commission effective Sept. 1.

"Hopefully, if I've helped one human being, it was worth it," McLemore said of his 15 years as an officer. "We work for nothing, no benefits, no pay, but I love it and enjoy it even if I couldn't afford to do it full time. Those of us who do this put ourselves through police academy and buy our own equipment. It was a privilege to serve with Nichols and I am glad I did it."

McLemore worked the last 11 years as an electrician at the Goodman Unit, and as a building contractor before that.

He said, "Some of my friends have hesitated to come and visit (since his accident), but I want folks to know that I'm not just sitting in a chair doing nothing. I've got my workshop set up and I'm doing some woodworking and staying busy every day."