New JISD Police Chief

JACKSONVILLE – A graduate from Jacksonville High School is returning as the school district’s police chief. It was announced on Tuesday that Bill Avera will take over those duties the first of next month. According to the district’s Face Book page, Avera has over 40 years experience in law enforcement, most recently as Assistant Chief of Police for Dallas ISD. Besides Jacksonville High School, Avera also graduated from Lon Morris College, Sam Houston State University, and received a Master of Science degree from Texas A&M Commerce. He comes to Jacksonville with years of supervisory and executive level positions in the public sector including 12 years in school based policing. Avera and his wife, Heather live on Lake Jacksonville and Heather is currently a teacher for JISD.