BY MATT SWEARENGIN
matt@durantdemocrat.com
Joey Tucker, who served as undersheriff with Sheriff Johnny Christian, was sworn in Monday morning as Bryan County Sheriff.
Sheriff Christian passed away suddenly at his home on March 28 at the age of 58 and Bryan County commissioners Scott Goad, Justin Boone and Brandon Carr voted during a meeting to appoint Tucker to serve as sheriff through 2026.
There will be an election for sheriff in 2026 and filing for the office will begin in April of that year. There will be another election for the sheriff in 2028 which is when the term is up again, according to the Bryan County Clerk’s Office.
Bryan County District Judge Mark Campbell administered the oath of office to Tucker.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I accept this appointment and I am humbled to the trust placed in me to lead the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office,” Tucker said, after the ceremony. “Sheriff Christian was an exceptional leader whose impact on our community resonates in every corner of Bryan County.
“Sheriff Christian can never be replaced yet with the help of the people who loved him so much, together we will continue to build on his vision and will work tirelessly to ensure that the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office continues to be a shining example for law enforcement agencies across the state just as he tried to do.”
Tucker began his law enforcement career in 2001 at the Calera Police Department where he worked for a short time until he joined the Caddo Police Department. He began his career at the sheriff’s office under Sheriff Bill Sturch and Sheriff Ken Golden later appointed Tucker as a sergeant for the patrol division.
“After that when Johnny Christian took office, he made me a lieutenant for patrol and after that shortly, he made me undersheriff,” Tucker said.
Tucker appointed Frank Burrola to serve as undersheriff.
