Frizzell Appointed Constable, Prepares to Retire as Crockett Fire Chief

By Greg Ritchie

Messenger Reporter

HOUSTON COUNTY – Jason Frizzell began volunteering with the fire department when he was 18, never imagining he would one day become its chief. Now, after building a career serving the community, he is preparing to turn over that responsibility and take on another.

Houston County commissioners appointed Frizzell as Precinct 1 constable Tuesday, Oct. 13, selecting the Crockett fire chief to replace Morris Luker. Luker announced his retirement effective Sept. 30 after 25 years of service.

The appointment brings Frizzell an opportunity he had considered for the future, although it arrived sooner than he expected. It also means a difficult departure from the fire department where his career began.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Frizzell said. “I started when I was 18 with the fire department volunteering, and never in a million years would I have thought I would have ever been fire chief there.”

When commissioners selected him, Frizzell said the appointment carried personal meaning. He had spent his career working to establish a reputation people could trust, and the court’s confidence in him was an honor.

Following the vote, he thanked commissioners directly.

“Thank y’all for the trust and confidence in me. I’m grateful for this opportunity. I understand the responsibility that comes with the position, and I don’t take it lightly,” Frizzell said.

“We’re sure of that,” County Judge Jim Lovell responded.

The appointment is for the remainder of the current term, which ends Dec. 31, 2028. For now, his attention is on learning the position and determining whether it is the next long-term step in his public service career.

Although he is best known locally for his work with the fire department, Frizzell also brings experience as a police officer and sheriff’s deputy. The constable’s civil responsibilities particularly interested him.

“It’s mostly the civil side of things I find interesting,” he said. “When I was a deputy, we served civil papers.”

Frizzell said he had considered pursuing the position after retiring and had asked questions over time to better understand the work. When the opening came, it offered a chance to retire from the fire department while continuing to serve the same community.

“I can retire from the fire department and learn something new and serve the people just in a different role,” he said.

For Crockett City Administrator John Angerstein, the appointment marks a new opportunity for someone he has worked with through several stages of his career.

Angerstein hired Frizzell during his own time as fire chief and watched him grow into additional responsibilities within the department.

“I had the honor of hiring Jason while I was fire chief, and he came into the fire department initially as a firefighter, but then grew to fill the role of fire marshal for the city,” Angerstein said.

Frizzell was both a valued colleague and a friend during those years, Angerstein said, and their working relationship continued after Angerstein moved into city administration.

“He was a great help and friend during my time on the fire department, and since then, I’ve continued to work closely with him,” Angerstein said. “I am very appreciative of his service to the city and the community and his friendship to me.”

Angerstein said he was excited for Frizzell and understood that the constable’s position was something he had been considering for some time.

“The timeline worked out to where he is able to retire from his city position and serve in a new capacity, so I’m proud for him,” Angerstein said.

Frizzell said the opportunity does not make leaving the fire department easy. Becoming chief was something he had not envisioned as a young volunteer, and serving in that role has been an honor.

Still, he said, there comes a time to consider a new opportunity and allow someone else to build on the department’s work.

“It’s time to hand the reins over to somebody else and let them see how far they can take it,” Frizzell said.

Frizzell said he sent his retirement letter to the mayor and city council members Tuesday. The next steps for fire department leadership will come before the Crockett City Council at its Monday, Oct. 19, meeting.

Angerstein said that discussion will give Frizzell an opportunity to address the council and allow members to determine how the city will handle the transition.

“First, we’ll place it on the agenda for him to speak to council and to allow council to develop a plan and make decisions for an interim fire chief and an ultimate appointment,” Angerstein said.

Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]