NEW BOSTON, Texas - James Prince has worn the Bowie County Sheriff's badge for 20 years.
But, as of Friday, he's passing that torch to new Sheriff Jeff Neal and retiring from a long career in law enforcement.
Prince, 68, served five four-year terms, which is the longest of any Bowie County Sheriff.
He was first elected sheriff in 2000 and took office in January of 2001.
"I've served two terms longer than any other Bowie County Sheriffs.," he said. "I've been very fortunate and had a lot of good people working hard to keep me in office. When I was first elected, I hoped to be able to serve eight years and thought it would be great to serve 12. I had no idea it would be 20."
He announced he would not run again, shortly after receiving the Banks-McFarlin Lawman of the Year award in 2019.
The award is given annually to recognize an outstanding law enforcement officer in Texas. Prince has about 50 years total service in law enforcement that includes 10 years of law enforcement in the U.S. Air Force and time at the Sherman, Texas, and Texarkana, Texas, police departments.
He joined the Bowie County Sheriff's Office serving under then-Sheriff Thomas Hodge. He continued to serve as deputy under former Sheriff Mary Choate and sought election to the post in 2000.
When reflecting upon his career, some of the achievements he has the most pride in are the development of the BASE (Basic Awareness Safety Education) Program, the implementation of a search and rescue team and assembling a good group of people in BCSO.
In 2006, the Sheriff's Office introduced the BASE Program to replace Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education. The BASE Program takes a broader approach, teaching children self-esteem, drug safety, Internet safety, fire safety and gun and outdoor safety.
The program is now taught in 11 Bowie County schools.
In the early-to-mid 2000s, volunteers established the Bowie County Search and Rescue Team that includes canines trained to help find missing people and return them home.
He is also proud of the department's record solving homicides.
"Over the past 20 years we have had only two homicides where no arrest were made. In both of those cases, the suspects are now deceased. I think that's an outstanding record."
Prince said he has been fortunate to have three excellent chief deputies during his time as sheriff: James Manning, Larry Parker and most recently Jeff Neal have all been tremendous assets to the office.
"I've had good people all of the way down," he said.
The hardest days of his time as sheriff have been without a doubt the deaths of two of his deputies.
Deputy Michael Page was shot and killed with his own service weapon in 2007 during a struggle with a suspect.
In 2011, Deputy Sherri Jones was killed in the basement of the courthouse while preparing to transport a prisoner.
"Both of those were very tough," Prince said. "I hired them both to do a job. They were doing my job," he said.
Prince said his plans for the future are still up in the air.
He thought he might be ready for retirement but after spending some time in quarantine in 2020, he thinks he might not be happy just sitting around the house.
"That's just not for me. I've worked since I was a boy so I might have to find another job. I guess I will just see what happens."