THARPTOWN – You are awakened in the middle of the night. You live outside the city limits and the nearest deputy is across the county.

Who are you going to turn to help?

If you live in the Tharptown or Waco areas, your closest source for help is Constable Ray Hill.

Hill serves the east side of Franklin County, and is many times the first officer on the scene.

Hill has been constable since 1989, but he’s been serving his community for almost 30 years.

“We organized a neighborhood watch in 1982, and I became the leader of that watch in 1983,” Hill said.

Hill said everyone thought it would be a good idea for the neighborhood watch to be connected to the sheriff’s department, so he decided to run for constable.

“I became constable in 1989, and the rest is history,” Hill said.

Hill worked during the day as an auctioneer, but he retired three  years ago.

So now he keeps his days, and sometimes nights, filled with serving the community.

“It doesn’t pay anything, but it helps to keep the car and radio so I can keep helping the community,” Hill said.

Hill was recently honored by a group of citizens for his contributions for the community. Hill received a plaque for his hard work and dedication.

“I was surprised,” he said. “I really didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t even get to say thank you. So I want to say thanks to everyone involved with this honor.”

Hill said he will be up for re-election in 2012, but he is unsure if he will be able to run again.

“It will depend on my health, but I hope that I can,” Hill said. “I love helping the community as much as I can. I really enjoy it.”