Constable Smith was first elected in 2012 and has since been reelected in 2016 and 2020. After taking office in January 2013, Constable Smith committed himself to being a hardworking Elected Official of Waller County by laying the groundwork for community engagement and protection. He was instrumental in improving the service to the community and increased the number of deputies to 30 serving and volunteering their time along with him in the precinct. With the help of a generous Houston businessman who donated $50,000, purchased eight (8) patrol vehicles added to the fleet of only three (3). With relentless perseverance the Precinct 3 building was renovated to accommodate the increased workload and activities in the precinct. For the past 11 years, Constable Smith has provided Free Barbecue to the citizens of Prairie View and Waller County area commemorating the Juneteenth holiday.
As a small-town youth Herschel have developed a sense of humility and devotion to his family and friends in the community which transcended to his life as an army vet, a Pastor, Community leader, founder and executive director of a homeless shelter. As a devoted Husband and a father of seven children he understands the needs of families and the awesome responsibility required to raise children who will one day no doubt be leaders of their communities.
Herschel’s spirit of community has led him to work directly with people who have needs. The lessons he learned while serving proudly in the United States Army from 1978 to 1981 taught him the importance of self-discipline and taking pride in one’s country. His ability to lead earned him the rank of Sergeant and Honor Squad Leader in the First Calvary Division. After his service in the military, Smith worked as a Correctional Officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where he saw firsthand the result of living a life of irresponsibility. It was during this time that Herschel’s vision for his community deepened and in 1988 he and his family moved from Brenham, TX to Houston where he willingly left the comforts of his home and career by choice to become homeless in order to learn and meet the needs of the homeless. His heart ached as he saw the countless number of men and women living in boxes under Interstate-45 near downtown Houston, he knew what he had to do and the inner-city ministry was born.
As Pastor of Enlightened Chapel Ministries, his example demonstrated faith in God in a most tangible way and his community activism knew no limit. Wherever there is a need you are likely to find Herschel Smith working to empower people to find solutions to their problems. He teaches people to take responsibility for their actions and for a community to change the individual must change, leading by example is fundamental. Smith was recognized for his community activism in 1991 when the city of Houston honored him for his ministry of love and compassion. The mayor’s office awarded him for citizenship and selfless sacrifice to his community. He also received citizen award from Anheuser Busch and the Houston Defender in 1994. In 1995 Waller County Leadership Council honored him with the humanitarian award for leadership and commitment. His efforts had also led him in 1993 to receiving a local Jefferson award and the National Award which was created by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1972 as a Nobel Prize for community service. He spoke in the US Supreme Court when he received the award. In 1999 the Forward Time in Houston, Texas honored him with minister of the decade.
At the age of 47 Herschel sought a new career and in 2008 he graduated from Houston Community College Police Academy. Most of his life he has always been a public service worker and by January 2013 he took office as Constable Precinct 3 Waller County. He has committed himself to being an hardworking Elected Official of Waller County by laying the historical groundwork for others to follow.
Constable Herschel Smith believes in setting standards with honesty, integrity and character that are not just words but internal motivations which produces visible results. He believes young adults will respond when they see adults demonstrate by their actions rather than just words. As Constable of Waller County Precinct #3 he and his deputies are committed to the highest performance standards, ethical conduct and trustworthy in all relationships with the public.
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