Updated 12:29 a.m. CST

Voters in the Denton County Republican primary have chosen William B. Travis as their new sheriff over longtime Sheriff Benny Parkey.

Of the 31,689 ballots cast, Travis earned 54.23 percent of the vote or 17,185 supporters — 6,166 more votes than Parkey, who received 34.77 percent of the vote, according to unofficial tallies.

Travis previously worked as a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent, Dallas Police Department officer, U.S. Coast Guard Boatswains mate and U.S. Air Force security police officer.

"My personal platform was pretty simple: I want to bring down more child-related crimes in Denton County," he said. "We don't do enough to protect our children. At Marcus High School, there was a heroin overdose in March. And I just want to do a better job in stopping that type of stuff from going on."

Parkey served as Denton County sheriff since January 2005.

"I am obviously disappointed in the results and the system works," Parkey said. "The people who voted spoke their minds and will get the candidate that they wanted and unfortunately it wasn't me."

Jesse Flores came in third place with 11 percent of the vote or 3,485 supporters, according to unofficial results.