Chance Maddox was sworn in Thursday morning, Aug. 20, as Liberty County’s new Pct. 1 constable, stepping into an office he sought unsuccessfully two years ago and filling the vacancy left by the removal of former Constable Tammy Bishop.
Liberty County Judge Jay Knight administered the oath of office to Maddox, who was appointed to serve the remainder of Bishop’s unexpired term.
Maddox learned from Liberty County Attorney Matthew Poston that he had been selected for the position. The news came at memorable time for Maddox, who turned 38 on Wednesday, Aug. 19, making the appointment an unexpected birthday present.
Until Thursday, Maddox served as a sergeant with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and led the Liberty County Mental Health Crisis Unit Team.
Maddox has worked in public service in Liberty County since 2009, with experience that includes volunteer firefighting, police dispatching and service as a certified peace officer. Much of his law enforcement career has centered on street patrol and community-oriented policing.
As he takes over the Pct. 1 Constable’s Office, Maddox said the priorities he discussed while campaigning for the office in 2024 remain important to him.
Among those priorities is addressing drug-related crime in Liberty County. Maddox believes drugs continue to have a far-reaching impact on local communities, contributing to thefts, burglaries, overdoses and other crimes that affect residents’ quality of life.
He believes law enforcement must be proactive rather than simply responding after crimes have occurred. That includes maintaining a visible law enforcement presence in neighborhoods, conducting proactive patrols and working cooperatively with other agencies to address criminal activity.
Maddox also believes enforcement is only part of the solution. While he supports holding offenders accountable for their crimes, he also believes people who genuinely want help changing their lives should be connected with available resources and assistance.
Those goals will now become part of his work as constable, along with the civil process and other statutory duties of the office.
The appointment marks an unexpected turn for Maddox after the 2024 election. He challenged Bishop for Pct. 1 constable but was edged out by the incumbent, who was reelected to a second term. Less than a year later, Bishop was involved in the UTV crash that ultimately led to criminal charges against her.
Bishop was informed late Wednesday, Aug. 19, that she was being removed from office.
Her removal follows a Liberty County grand jury indictment handed down June 18 charging her with one count of Intoxicated Manslaughter in connection with the death of 40-year-old Jessica Rivera of Liberty and one count of Intoxicated Assault for injuries suffered by Bishop’s son, Jeremy Bishop, 43, also of Liberty.
The charges stem from a May 10, 2025, UTV crash in the 600 block of CR 133 in the Moss Bluff area. The UTV reportedly struck a culvert and overturned, throwing the occupants from the vehicle.
Rivera, who was a passenger in the UTV, later died at an area hospital. Tammy Bishop and her son were seriously injured and transported to area hospitals following the crash.
The Texas Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol Division led the crash investigation that resulted in the indictment.
Despite the criminal charges, Bishop was allowed to continue serving as Pct. 1 constable and drawing her county salary and benefits until her removal this week.
Bluebonnet News attempted to speak to Liberty County Attorney Matthew Poston for an explanation of the process that led to Bishop’s removal and why she was allowed to remain in office for so long following her indictment; however, Poston told Bluebonnet News that he is unable to issue a comment.
Bishop was allowed to be a constable while being charged with intoxicated manslaughter. And intoxicated assault. If nobody ran against her Liberty county Republicans would’ve dismissed all charges against her.
First time I have agreed with Anthony. The people who allowed her to collect all the benefits and pay should be exposed.