DeWitt County Precinct 1 Constable Kelly Phelps’ term of office ends on December 31, but his service to the county has all but ended due to injury.
“Constable Phelps called saying he was unable to perform his duties due to injury,” County Sheriff Carl Bowen said. “Reserve Deputy Roy Kuester, being the incoming constable, has volunteered to take over the duties.”
Phelps has not responded to calls or e-mails requesting an interview.
In the spring GOP primary election, Phelps ran for Precinct 1 County Commissioner and did not win. Two candidates ran for his open position, and retired law enforcement officer Roy Kuester prevailed.
Kuester, who is from DeWitt County, worked most of his professional career in Victoria County, first as a Sheriff’s deputy, then in the state parole office and finally for the Victoria District Attorney’s office. Since 2019, he has been a reserve deputy for the De-Witt County Sheriff’s Office.
“I felt a need to help,” Kuester said. “I have the experience, and it keeps me active. It’s like anything, like those who work at the food bank or the hospital. If I can help the county, I will.”
TheonlythingKuester asked for was a county vehicle. He said when he previously performed reserve deputy service, he used a vehicle from the Sheriff’s office. But for this assignment, he would need a vehicle at hand for consistent use.
The Chevy Tahoe assigned to the Precinct 1 Constable was totaled on June 12 while in out-oftown use by Phelps. In a memo to the Commissioner’s Court, Phelps stated he was assisting a Columbus constable in traffic control on I-10 when an 18-wheeler hit the vehicle. It is unclear whether Phelps was in the vehicle at the time.
Since constable duties require more hours of vehicle use than the reserve deputy, there was a need to find Kuester a patrol vehicle.
At its regular meeting on September 23, the Commissioner’s Court approved the transfer of an extra vehicle from Precinct 2 Constable Hobbs (a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe) to the Sheriff’s Office for the acting constable to use.
Kuester said so far the work for Precinct 1 has been eye opening when he serves eviction notices.
“I’ve got a good perspective on people that move in and tear these places up, make them uninhabitable.”
He said the dumping of animals and trash on county roads is also too prevalent.
As for comments on his generosity, Kuester said he was fortunate to have other income in retirement, so he could volunteer. “I’m all about public service,” he said.
