Navarro County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Morris Steward is no stranger to service.

Chief Steward's began his education in Dawson and continued his career path at Navarro College.

"I knew I wanted to be a paramedic or police officer."

After he applied at the Navarro County Sheriff's Office as a corrections officer, he knew that is right where he was supposed to be.
Then Sheriff Jim Hodge asked him, "Can you start tonight?"
That fateful day led the reconnection of what would be one of the strongest duo's Navarro County has been able to witness.
Thirty-five years ago, seated next to each other, now Sheriff Elmer Tanner and Chief Steward were unsure how their lives would be impacted.

Steward served in the Navarro County Jail from March 1989 through January of 1993, at which time Sheriff Les Cotten would promote Steward to patrol, after graduation from the Navarro County Police Academy.
Chief Steward stated, "Sheriff Cotten gave me every promotion until I was promoted to Chief Deputy."
Steward was promoted to CID in January 2000, serving shoulder to shoulder with Tanner.

Sheriff Elmer Tanner stated, "I have known Morris Steward all my life - from grade school through high school, to our working careers together at NCSO. He is one of the finest men I know . He is a true friend, gentleman, and dedicated public servant."

He continued, "He has served the citizens of Navarro County with integrity and honor for over 35 years in numerous roles at the NCSO, including his current position as Chief Deputy. He has never shirked a taskk and I have never seen him disrespect anyone."

Continuing the tradition, the duo investigated everything from traffic incidents to murder cases.

The most interesting of which was the infamous Hanna Mack case in 2007.
Hanna Mack, a resident of Navarro Mills, was found in the early morning hours, naked and hanging from a rafter in a garage. Reports indicate that Mack had been molested, raped and finally and fatally strangled.
The case, as brutal as it was, garnered nationwide attention, during the course of the investigation, which was led by Tanner and Steward.

Another notable moment in Chief's career was the 2004 Malakoff Shootout. He stated, "I knew I was with my people, so I wasn't worried."

Rounding out his 35 year career, if he ever slows down enough for retirement to be an option, Morris Steward is looking forward to spending time with his wife, Valerie, and daughter Letitia.

Sheriff Tanner stated, "The definition of a man who is of honor and integrity, is someone who is not only honest and fair, sel-respecting and who holds others in the same esteem. That is Morris Steward. I am proud to know that he's being identified as a Hometown Hero, as it is very well deserved."

Publisher's Note: It should be recognized that to sit in a room with Morris Steward is not intimidating at all. He is such a gentleman and it is understood why he is classified as one of Navarro County's Hometown Heroes!
-Kris Smith