Community Service

Showing Up for Kerr County

Long before the title and long after the meetings end, Rich Paces serves his neighbors — fighting fires, building homes, feeding families, and rebuilding after the flood.

Rich Paces is the current Kerr County Precinct 2 Commissioner — a Christian conservative, professional engineer, volunteer firefighter, and fiscal conservative focused on responsible growth, lower property taxes, public safety, groundwater protection, and transparent county government.

Volunteer Firefighter — Center Point VFD

Rich serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department, responding to structure fires, brushfires, and emergencies across Precinct 2. When the call comes, he shows up — in turnout gear and on the line.

Rich Paces Firefighter of the Year statue, December 12, 2025 — Honored as CPVFD Firefighter of the Year — December 12, 2025

Rich Paces in firefighter turnout gear with Center Point VFD — On call with the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department

Rich Paces fighting a brushfire — Putting out a brushfire with CPVFD

Rich Paces at a structure fire in Center Point — Structure fire response in Center Point

July 2026 Kerr County Flooding — Center Point Response

We're seeing heavy flooding again in Kerr County. In Center Point the river was flowing over the Hwy 480 bridge again. Every bit as bad here as July 4th, 2025. I'm on China Street working traffic control. Our fire station on Skyline Drive flooded again. Not sure how bad till the water recedes later today. Fortunately we got all of our trucks out and put them to use evacuating people. The new swift water boats and Sherps have all been out working river rescues. So much for last year being a 100 year flood in Center Point.

Rich Paces in firefighter turnout gear on flooded Hwy 480 near Center Point, July 2026 — Working traffic control on China Street as the river flows over the Hwy 480 bridge — July 2026

July 4th Flood — On the Ground from Hour One

From the first hours of the July 4th flood disaster, Rich was on the ground — door-to-door warnings, search and rescue, debris cleanup, welfare checks, and an aerial damage assessment by Blackhawk to coordinate the recovery.

Rich Paces preparing to board a Blackhawk helicopter to view flood damage — Preparing for Blackhawk flight to view July 4th flood damage

Habitat for Humanity — Building Homes in Kerrville

Rich volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Kerrville prior to election as County Commissioner, helping build homes for local families. It's hands-on service that turns conservative principles into concrete, lasting impact for neighbors in Kerr County.

Rich Paces building a home with Habitat for Humanity Kerrville — Prior to serving on Commissioners Court: Building homes with Habitat for Humanity, Kerrville

Adopt-a-Highway — Hosanna Lutheran Church

Rich and the Hosanna Lutheran Church team keep their adopted stretch of Kerr County highway clean — quiet, regular service that keeps our community looking the way it should.

Rich Paces cleaning a Kerr County highway with Hosanna Lutheran Church — Keeping our adopted highway clean with Hosanna Lutheran Church

The Hosanna Lutheran Adopt-a-Highway team

Bread of Life Mission — Feeding Local Families

Through Hosanna Lutheran's Bread of Life Mission, Rich helps prepare and distribute food to local families in need across Kerr County. Faith in action, every week.

Rich Paces preparing food for Hosanna Lutheran's Bread of Life Mission — Preparing to distribute food to local families in need

Hosanna Lutheran's Bread of Life Mission distributing food — Hosanna Lutheran's Bread of Life Mission in action

Recent Community Service Actions

Memorial Cross for Flat Rock Park — July 4th Flood Tribute

I am pleased to announce that earlier today our Commissioners' Court approved accepting a 17′ 7″ steel cross to be installed in Flat Rock Park as a memorial to the lives lost in the July 4th flood.

When complete it will be similar to the beautiful cross donated and installed at the Center Point VFD fire station on Kelly and Skyline Drive. The crosses were made and donated by Michael Collins from Mineral Wells, Texas. The one in the video is still a work in progress but should be finished soon and installed in Flat Rock Park in June.

Michael has made 10 of these crosses and donated 8 to various organizations in tribute to souls tragically lost — including one in Uvalde and one in Mesa, AZ in memory of Emily Pike.

We are planning a ceremony on July 4th. There will also be a prayer vigil and breakfast early on the 4th at the CPVFD station. Michael has been invited to attend both events. Additional details will follow.

Service Is the Job

Rich Paces believes the office of Commissioner exists to serve — not to be served. That's how he showed up before he was ever elected, and that's how he'll keep showing up.