'Goodbye Tension, Hello Pension'

WINNIE— With a room full of smiling faces, a jovial celebration was held in honor of Chambers County Constable Pct. 1 Dennis Dugat and his years of dedicated service to the county. 

After 32 years of service, Dugat will officially retire from his position on Dec. 31 with plans to remain active. 

"It was a great ride. It was a lot of fun. It was a very great honor that the people elected me to this position for 32 years," Dugat said. "I always tried to act like I was a public servant and the office belongs to them. I just occupy it." 

Dugat served the county for many years in differing fields. He served eight years with the East Chambers ISD School Board and 12 years with the Winnie-Stowell Volunteer Fire Department. 

He also served for the Winnie-Stowell Volunteer Emergency Service, Texas Rice Festival and was a founding member of the Winnie-Stowell Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. 

"It was a wonderful, wonderful experience to work with a man who cares so much about his community," Chambers County Sheriff's Office Sgt. David Rabalais said. "It was good to work with a good man. One that did his job by the law, by the book. Didn't cheat, didn't lie, didn't steal." 

Chambers County Commissioner Pct. 1 Jimmy Gore shared a similar sentiment. 

"When Dennis gets into something, he's doing it for the people," Gore said. "It's not for self-gratification. It's for the people and that's the way it should be." 

Constables in the county said Dugat was very helpful and knowledgeable in the field. 

"When I started as constable in January 2021, I called him and asked him a lot of questions. He'll always answer your phone call and if he doesn't, he'll call you right back," Chambers County Constable Pct. 6 Kirk Ritch said. 

"I came here as a trooper in 1980 and he was working then," Chambers County Constable Pct. 4 Ben "Butch" Bean said. "Always very helpful in anything you needed to do." 

"He was there for the kids. He was there for the community. He's somebody you could reach out to. You could speak to him without judgment, without concern," said Rodney Kahla, Chambers County Sheriff's Office deputy. 

With 29 years of experience in law enforcement, Kahla will replace Dugat as constable on Jan. 2, 2025, when he swears into the position. 

"It allows some more freedom. It'll be more community-based," Kahla said. "You can do what you need to do to make sure it's a good year, a good day every day for everyone." 

Dugat was inspired by his family to dedicate himself to his community. His father volunteered to serve with the Army in World War II, served for a volunteer fire department and served on a church board. 

"My aunt, Mary Dugat, was the justice of the peace here for 22 years and she kinda pushed me into doing this stuff," Dugat said. "She really wanted me to run for JP, but that's too confining. I like to be able to get out and do things. The office drives me crazy after a while." 

Dugat plans to remain active by caring for his cattle and traveling with his wife of 22 years. 

"I'll probably do a little more hunting and fishing. I still got my cows and the hay. Just kinda take it a little more easy," Dugat said. "I'll never retire, retire as far as sit home and do nothing. I can't do that. I gotta be involved in something."  

"We're probably gonna do some traveling but mostly just enjoy each other," Sarita Dugat, wife, said. "He's not gonna quit doing his ranching." 

She said they would likely travel to Arkansas as the pair has three grandchildren and a great-grandchild living there. 

Sarita would like to travel to Tombstone, Arizona to see the largest rose tree in the world, the lady banksia rose, which was planted in 1885. Sarita said the couple hopes to visit Alaska as well. 

"I enjoyed serving Chambers County. It's been a lot of fun, even the bad stuff has been fun. I really enjoyed it," Dennis said. "I would keep doing this if it wasn't for the fact that I'm 71 years old now," Dugat said. "Sometimes you need to quit before you have to quit."