Jon Johnson

From Staff Reports

Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Jon Johnson on Friday announced his retirement after a 35-year criminal justice career.

He was elected as justice of the peace in November 2018 and was sworn into office on Jan. 1, 2019. Before becoming a justice of the peace, he worked for 25 years for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the U.S. District Court in Tyler until his federal retirement in 2014.

During those years, he served as a federal prison case manager, federal probation officer and chief federal probation officer. He has taught criminal justice courses for Tyler Junior College and Lindale ISD.

“Although I have held different job titles and responsibilities over the years, I have enjoyed nothing more than serving the community as justice of the peace,” Judge Johnson said in his retirement letter submitted to the county Friday.

He plans to retire Sept. 30 and intends to spend more time with his wife and family.

The Smith County Commissioners Court will appoint an interim justice of the peace to fill his unexpired term.

The Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 area covers the northwest portion of Smith County, including Lindale and Hideaway.