Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout, as former Chief Deputy Chris Jones was appointed Sept. 25 to finish former Constable David Hill's term upon Hill's retirement Sept. 30.

Montgomery County Precinct 5 Constable David Hill announced his retirement in mid September, effective Sept. 30, marking 50 years in law enforcement. Former Chief Deputy Chris Jones was appointed Sept. 25 by Montgomery County Commissioners to finish Hill's term, which ends in 2020. Jones began serving as Precinct 5 Constable on Monday, Oct. 1.

“[On] Oct. 1, 1968, I reported for [the Department of Public Safety] Academy. One of my goals is to make 50 years in law enforcement. So, Sept. 30, I will have my 50,” Hill said. “I’m ready to retire. My family has been wanting me to get out for a long while. I love what I do here, but it’s just time to go on to doing other things.”

Before becoming Precinct 5’s first elected constable, Hill served as a highway patrol officer in Magnolia with the Texas Department of Public Safety from 1969 to 1982, Community Impact Newspaper previously reported. Hill took office in 1983 and has been re-elected each term since then.

Prior to working in Magnolia, Hill said he considered home to be Palestine, Texas, where he grew up.

“When I came here in January [of 19]69 with the highway patrol, I had a plan to stay a year or two—whatever DPS made me—and then I was going back to East Texas, Palestine,” Hill said. “And this community just wrapped its arm around me and my family, took us in [and] treated us like we were somebody—[it] just impressed the fool out of me—the love you find in this community. Home is not Palestine anymore; home is here, and that’s where we plan on staying.”

While Hill said he is looking forward to traveling, catching fish and relaxing, he said he plans to continue volunteering in the Magnolia community.

“My wife and I have a bucket list to make all 50 states,” Hill said. “I feel good about retirement. I’m excited about getting the opportunity to kick back and relax a little bit, and I think it’s going to be neat.”

Hill said his favorite part of the job—and that which he will miss most—has been serving the community.

“My job in law enforcement is to help my community,” he said. “That’s what I’m going to miss about it is the ability to help people.”

Hill said in September he planned to recommend to the Montgomery County Commissioners Court to appoint Jones. Commissioners unanimously voted Sept. 25 to appoint Jones as the next constable.

“I feel very comfortable that [Jones] will serve this community well, and I think he’ll carry on the work that we’ve been very proud to do here,” Hill said.

Jones said he has served 22 years with the Precinct 5 Constable’s Office, all of which have been under Hill’s leadership.

“Constable has shown all of us the way to treat people as an officer and as a law enforcement professional,” he said. “They might be wrong, they might be breaking the law, but you can still treat them with respect.”

Jones said Hill’s retirement is well deserved but one tinged with bittersweet sentiments.

“Being an elected official in Montgomery County is not the easiest thing in the world,” Jones said. “I think it’s bittersweet that he is retiring and leaving the office, but he gets to go and relax a little bit and spend some time with his family.”

Jones has served two-and-a-half years as chief deputy of Precinct 5, instituting criminal patrol and civil divisions, growing the school resource officer division and increasing the department’s staff from 21 to 41 individuals, he said.

“I think he’s prepared me well, and all I have to do is pick up the phone and call him if I need anything,” Jones said.