Longtime Hancock County Jailer Roger Estes has officially entered the race for sheriff, aiming to continue serving the community where he’s lived his entire life.
Estes, 70, said the timing felt right with current Sheriff Dale Bozarth planning to retire. The two have been friends since childhood and worked closely throughout their careers.
“He’s part of the reason why I ran for jailer in the first place,” Estes said. “I didn’t want to run against him, but now that he’s stepping down, I feel like it’s the right move.”
Estes has worked in law enforcement for more than 20 years — first as a constable for four years, then as jailer for the past 19. Though Hancock County doesn’t operate a jail, Estes has handled inmate transports, court security, home incarceration, and funeral escorts throughout his tenure. He said he’s also attended training conferences twice a year to stay up to date on procedures.
Born and raised in Hancock County, Estes still lives within a few hundred yards of where he was born. He and his wife, Vicky, have been married for 51 years and have two sons and six grandchildren.
If elected, Estes said the transition would be smooth. He said the sheriff’s office is across the hall from his current office, and he’s already worked closely with deputies for years.
“I’ve been involved with the sheriff’s office ever since I became jailer,” he said. “I’d just be moving offices and continuing to work with the same people I’ve worked with all this time.”
Still, he acknowledged the risk. His term as jailer ends when the new sheriff takes office in January 2026, meaning he’d be out of a job if not elected.
Estes, who’s running as a Democrat, said his top priority as sheriff would be increasing the number of deputies.
“We’re a small community, but we’re short on deputies,” he said. “We need more help on the streets, especially when it comes to handling drug issues. I see it firsthand in court and through house arrest supervision. There’s more need than we have staff to cover.”
Estes said he’s proud of his long-standing relationships with the community and fiscal court and would make collaboration a central part of his leadership style.
“I’ve always worked closely with fiscal court, and I’d do the same as sheriff,” he said. “I don’t just jump in and make decisions. I talk to people, get different perspectives, and try to do what’s best for everybody.”
Estes also emphasized accessibility. He said as a jailer, he’s been on call 24/7 for nearly two decades.
“The only time I’m off is when I’m at the doctor or away for training,” he said. “Otherwise, I’ve been 10-8 — on duty — for 19 years.”
He plans to bring that same level of availability to the sheriff’s office if elected.
“I’ve always made myself available to the community,” Estes said. “That won’t change.”
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