Sheriff J.R. Walker has turned in his resignation effective December 31, 2015. The Commissioner's Court of Armstrong County, Texas will be meeting on December 14, 2015 to appoint an interim Sheriff to complete the current term.

Deputy Fleta Barnett is currently employed by Armstrong County and has filed her paperwork to run for Sheriff in the upcoming election in November of 2016. She's been an active duty peace officer since 2001. She's been with Armstrong County since 2008. She is a certified Sexual Assault Family Violence Investigator, a certified mental health officer, a certified hostage negotiator and she is only a few classes and some service hours short of achieving her Master Peace Officer Certification.

In 2014, Deputy Barnett saved Sheriff Walker's life during an altercation after a violent suspect attacked the Sheriff and attempted to kill him in the jail. Deputy Barnett's training and fast reaction time neutralized the threat.

Deputy Barnett has the training, certifications, knowledge and ability to act as interim Sheriff of Armstrong County. She lives in the city of Claude and has done so since 2013. The community trusts her and they know that she has the citizen's best interests at heart.