Polk County
Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Byron Lyons is a native of Polk County and a lifelong public servant with law enforcement, corrections, and EMT experience, serving our communities since 1985. He was elected Polk County Sheriff in 2021 and was sworn into office on January 1, 2021. He and his wife of 32 years, Sylvia, have three children: Brandon, Kia, and Alex.

Sheriff Lyons graduated from the Kilgore Police Academy, receiving his basic peace officer license and commission from Livingston Police Department in 1990, and began his service as a patrolman. In September 2001, he was hired as a Felony Investigator by the Polk County District Attorney's Office. In 2005, Sheriff Kenneth Hammack recruited him for the position of Chief Deputy, where he remained until his election as Sheriff. He is also a graduate of the National Sheriffs’ Institute of Leadership Development at the FBI National Academy and completed the FBI Leadership Trilogy training. He is a TCOLE Law Enforcement Instructor, an instructor for the Angelina Police Academy, and holds a Texas Jail License, as well as a Master Peace Officer certificate.

He has held the role of President of the Texas Chief Deputies Association, was a board member of the Polk County Peace Officers Association, a member of the Livingston Rotary Club, and a former school board member of the Livingston ISD. He is a current member of the Texas Sheriffs’ Association, the East Texas Police Officers’ Association, and an active board member of the Deep East Texas Council of Government—serving on the criminal justice committee. He also serves on the Burk’s Mental Health Service Board of Trustees.

Sheriff Lyons participated in a round table discussion sponsored by Sam Houston State University concerning Minority Relationships with Law Enforcement and was also a guest speaker for LEMIT of SHSU.

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike; the Onalaska Tornado; and ice storm Uri, he worked in cooperation with Polk County Emergency Management.

CHIEF DEPUTY ANTHONY LOWRIE  

Chief Deputy, Anthony Lowrie began his career by serving in the US Army for 4 years. Lowrie then joined the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office in 1995 after graduating from the Angelina Police Academy in Lufkin, TX.  He would stay with San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office for 4 years.  Lowrie was hired by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 where he would rise from a patrol deputy to Sergeant of Narcotics, Lieutenant of Narcotics. He would continue to gain responsibility in January, 2021, when he promoted to Captain of Patrol, CID, Narcotics and Courthouse Security. Lowrie would retire after 22 years from Polk County and continue in law enforcement with Memorial Villages Police Department.  Serving two and half years, Lowrie has returned in the capacity of Chief Deputy.  

He has 28 years of active law enforcement training and is a Master Peace Officer. Chief Lowrie has completed the FBI Leadership Trilogy training and is an active member of the Texas Sheriff’s Association.    

Chief Lowrie is a licensed ALERTT Instructor and possesses TASER and use of force, evidence, crime scene, and blood analysis certifications