From left, Ralph Caraway Jr., Derrick P. Holman and Willie Mims are on the Democratic ballot for Smith County Precinct 1 Constable. 

Editor’s Note: This is part of a series of candidate profile stories ahead of the March 5 joint primary elections in Smith County.

Three Democratic candidates are campaigning for the position of Smith County Precinct 1 Constable.

Constables are certified peace officers working within their precinct of residence for four-year terms. Constables have the same enforcement powers as peace officers, and their duties include subpoenaing witnesses, acting as bailiffs, executing judgments and serving legal documents.

Appointed Constable Ralph Caraway Jr. and former Precinct 1 constable’s office employees Derrick P. Holman and Willie Mims are on the Democratic ballot. There is not a Republican challenger.

Growing up, Caraway Jr. was inspired by the men in his life to pursue law enforcement and community leadership.

His father, Ralph Caraway Sr., Smith County Commissioner for Precinct 4, has been a role model and a father figure for him and other young men. Caraway Jr. said he also wants to continue mentoring the next generation of young men in his community.

“The way I’ve seen [Caraway Sr.] pour into our community, into our youth and the public service that he’s given just inspires me to want to do the same thing,” Caraway Jr. said.

Caraway Jr. was appointed following the resignation of former Pct. 1 Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris, who was sentenced to five years’ probation for stealing while serving an eviction notice in 2021.

He was sworn in as interim constable July 8, 2022, and was appointed constable Jan. 24, 2023.

A Tyler native, Caraway Jr. worked for the sheriff’s office from 2005 to 2019. He worked in various roles, including detention officer, patrol deputy, patrol sergeant, jail lieutenant and captain of jail operations. Caraway Jr. was an investigator at the county district attorney’s office in 2019 before becoming interim constable.

Caraway Jr. graduated from John Tyler High School and Jarvis Christian College and is enrolled in the Masters of Divinity Program at Liberty University.

After a positive response from the community, Caraway Jr. said he is running to continue serving Precinct 1 with accountability, integrity and transparency.

From his first day, Caraway Jr. believes he’s had passion and heart for the position and the community. He said everything he does is aimed at maintaining the integrity and accountability of the office and to continue being a resource for people.

“With positive leadership, we can get more out of the office than we’ve seen in the past few years,” Caraway Jr. said. “I have proven leadership, not penciled positions. I believe that everything I’ve been able to do over the years in law enforcement has built me to be able to lead this precinct and these people.”

Caraway Jr. is the senior pastor of Greater St. Mary Baptist Church in Tyler. He is also the vice president of Tyler Lions Football and a PATH board member.

Since childhood, it was Holman’s dream to become a police officer. The East Texas native said most people want to keep their communities and the people they love safe. He likened law enforcement officers to superheroes who protect and serve.

He was born in Jacksonville and graduated from Jacksonville High School. He learned a trade and got his commercial driver’s license in 2001, and worked as an armed security officer from 2003 to 2013. In 2012, he started attending the police academy and graduated the next year.

A former deputy of Smith County, Holman worked under four office constables. He said the late former Precinct 1 Constable Henry Jackson was inspirational in his law enforcement career.

Holman spent 10 years working at the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. He furthered his education with courses, certificating him as a mental health officer and K9 handler.

In 2021, he was terminated from the Precinct 1 office after allegations that accused him of being involved with theft during an eviction notice. Jurors found him not guilty and he was acquitted of the charges.

Holman said people sometimes go through trials and tribulations to set them up for their calling. His calling is helping to serve the underdogs and fighting for those who don’t have a voice.

He said the most recent training across the office and mental health initiatives would ensure the office meets the highest standards.

“We have a justice system that is very flawed and broken,” Holman said. “I know exactly how that person feels. I understand how their family feels. It’s scary when you are going up against anyone in law enforcement.”

Throughout his trial, Holman said people lied about his character, which was difficult for him. He thanks God for giving him the strength to perservere.

“I believe I made it through because of the God I serve,” Holman said. “In fact, I know it’s because of the God I serve.”

He said his experience and passion to continue serving his neighbors in Precinct 1 makes him the best candidate.

Holman has played the piano in community churches since 2004 and currently serves as the minister of music at Greater New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, where he said he’s found a true family in Christ.

Mims is a Tyler native raised by a single mother who instilled in him a deep sense of justice and a desire to serve his community.

Mims said he is the longest-serving chief deputy and sergeant for the Precinct 1 constable’s office. His 22 years of experience as a licensed peace officer make him highly knowledgeable of the residents and businesses throughout Precinct 1.

“My upbringing taught me the importance of standing up for what is right, even when faced with challenges,” Mims said. “Becoming a police officer was a natural choice, as it allows me to use my background and experiences to protect and serve Precinct1 with dedication and compassion.”

After graduating from John Tyler High School, Mims served two tours in the U.S. Army. He is a family man who understands the value of the American dream and what that means for the community.

Having worked alongside late former Constable Henry Jackson for almost 15 years, Mims said he was successful in keeping the community safe, working together to mentor young boys and girls and showing compassion and understanding.

Mims ran for constable in 2020 and won the majority of votes during the primary. However, the Supreme Court of Texas later ruled him ineligible as the Democratic Party’s nominee after a lawsuit filed by opponent Bobby Garmon alleged Mims did not meet filing requirements.

Despite the lawsuit, Mims won the majority vote among Garmon and Traylor-Harris. But a court order said a judge would have to rule on if Mims could be the Democratic nominee. Following the primary, that judge decided Mims was the nominee because he won the majority. However, the 12th Court of Appeals later ruled a runoff between Garmon and Traylor-Harris, disqualifying Mims as the winner. Traylor-Harris then won the runoff.

“For the last three years, an overwhelming number of residents wanted me to run again,” Mims said. “The Precinct 1 people want true leadership that represents them all, and for 15 years I gained the trust of the people.”

Mims displays humanity, integrity, professionalism, and transparency – qualities necessary for the role, he said. If elected, these values would continue to be the foundation of his leadership.

According to his campaign website, Mims aims to depoliticize the constable’s office through strong leadership, peacekeeping, crime prevention, sex trafficking elimination, and restoration of community policing and tobacco control.

“I have always said that we are stronger together and more resilient than we could ever be alone,” Mims said. “We all call Precinct 1 home and we can tackle any challenge that we face head on and create a brighter future for everyone.”

Mims referees football and basketball games, is involved with the Tyler Women’s Coalition Chapter, Tyler Organization of Men, among other organizations, and is the coordinator for National Night Out, Precinct 1 Community Policing Program, and more.

Voters can cast their ballots in the March primary during early voting through March 1. The last day to receive a ballot by mail in Election Day, Mach 5. Early voting and Election Day polling places can be found at the Smith County Elections website at smith-county.com/government/departments/elections.