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.