Precinct Three
903-590-4600

Commissioner Bobby Van Ness

  

After retiring from the Tyler Police Department, Commissioner Van Ness was elected as Commissioner for Precinct 3and took office in January of 2005.  He is responsible for the largest of the four Commissioner precincts.  Precinct Three extends across the entire Northern half of Smith County and takes in several small communities.  Incorporated cities include Lindale, Winona, a portion of Overton and, of course, Tyler. The Camp Ford Confederate prisoner of war camp is also located in Precinct Three. 

Bobby has been married to his wife, Donna, for 29 years.    He and Donna are members of Cross Brand Cowboy Church in Tyler.   They have two children, Andrea Dearing and Bobby Van Ness, Jr.

Education:

  • Jacksonville Baptist College
  • Tyler Junior College
  • The University of Texas at Tyler
  • Kilgore College Police Academy
  

Awards/Recognition:

  • Basic Peace Officer - 1971
  • Peace Officer License - 1981
  • Master Peace Officer - 1994
  • Instructor Certificate - 1995
 

Employment:

  • Retired Tyler Police Department (30 years of service)

    Assignments inlcuded: HIDA (FBI) Task Force

    Deputy U.S. CUSTOMS Cross Trained Officer

    Deputy U.S. Marshal (Fugitive Task Force)

    DEA Drug Lab Enforcement Certified

 

Memberships/Community Activities:

  • Smith County Republican Club
  • Smith County Republican Women - Associate Member
  • Lindale Chamber of Commerce
  • Winona Area Chamber of Commerce
  • East Texas Businessmen's Association
  • Fraternal Order of Police
  • Smith County Peace Officers Association
  • Hideaway Lake Kiwanis
  • Advisory Board Member Smith County Sheriff's Training Committee
  • Lindale Rodeo Board of Directors
  • Smith County OSSF Committee
  • Tyler MPO Board Member
  • Starrville Community Center Board of Directors
 

Contact Information:

Phone:                                        

Downtown office:  (903) 590-4600   

Lindale office:  (903) 882-6125

E-mail:

bvanness@smith-county.com

 

  
   
Commissioner Pct. #1 JoAnn Fleming
903-590-4600
Commissioner Pct. #2 Bill McGinnis
903-590-4600
Commissioner Pct. #3 Bobby Van Ness
903-590-4600
Commissioner Pct. #4 JoAnn Hampton
903-590-4600