The Smith County Precinct 1 Constables Office Has Been Rocked By Scandal Over The Last Few Years But Now A Stabilizing Presence Is Set Restore Dignity And Respect To The Office.

Ralph Caraway Jr., a longtime Smith County employee, took the oath of office Tuesday (Jan. 24th) morning after being appointed by the Commissioners Court as Smith County Precinct 1 Constable. Caraway Jr’s appointment comes after a trial and conviction of his predecessor Curtis Traylor-Harris who is currently appealing his conviction of theft by a public servant.

The appointment followed the resignation of Curtis Traylor-Harris.

Caraway Jr. was appointed and sworn in as Interim Constable July 8, 2022, while Harris was awaiting trial on felony charges. Since Traylor-Harris is a convicted felon and can no longer serve in law enforcement, he sent a resignation letter to Smith County Judge Neal Franklin and it was approved by the Commissioners Court on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, Caraway will now serve as Precinct 1 Constable until the 2024 Primary and General Elections are held.

Caraway Jr. is a longtime Smith County employee.

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According to a post on Facebook by Smith County, Caraway Jr. came to the Constable’s Office from the District Attorney’s Office, where he worked as an investigator since 2019. Prior to that he worked for the Sheriff’s Office from 2005-19. He started as a detention officer in the jail and worked his way up to Captain over jail operations.

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Throughout his time at the Sheriff’s Office, he also served as patrol deputy, Criminal Investigations Division detective, a member of the FBI High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force, a patrol sergeant, narcotics sergeant and jail lieutenant. He currently holds a Master Peace Officer License and a jailer’s license.
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