Meet Parnell
Parnell has been on the front line with deputies because it is the Sheriff’s job to lead, not just give orders. For over 50 years, he has been a lawman first, because your safety comes first!
Parnell was born and raised in McLennan County and is a 5th generation Texan. Inspired by his family members during his childhood, Parnell followed in his family’s footsteps to become a Deputy U.S. Marshal. At age sixteen, Parnell took his first step in law enforcement, joining his father who, at the time was a Deputy U.S. Marshal, to protect citizens from criminal activity as a guard for the Service. During this time, Parnell attended Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University and received his B.B.A. in Marketing and Business Management.
Parnell achieved his dream of continuing the legacy of public service in law enforcement and became a Deputy U.S. Marshal in 1970. Throughout his career, he has furthered his professional development/skill sets by attending numerous seminars and in-service trainings to fulfill his required duties including fugitive investigations, judicial protection, prisoner transportation, execution of writs and seizures, and process serving. In addition, Parnell executed many parallel duties to that of a Texas Sheriff, as well as flew security for Con-Air, the U.S. Marshal’s flying prison. After 32 years of dedicated service, Parnell retired from the U.S. Marshals in 2003.
On January 1, 2013, in the first few moments of the New Year, Parnell McNamara was sworn in as the newly elected Sheriff of McLennan County. He takes his oath to serve and protect to heart and works diligently to make McLennan County a safer place for you and your family to live. He would like your support again to continue serving as YOUR SHERIFF. Parnell McNamara’s family history in law enforcement dates as far back as the early 1900s with his grandfather, Emmett and great uncle, Guy McNamara, a deputy sheriff and constable in McLennan County. With over 120 years and three generations of recorded history in law enforcement, the McNamara legacy is as rich as it is strong!
Parnell is a longtime business owner of many businesses. He and his wife, Charlotte Miller McNamara, live in Bosqueville and they have four grown daughters (Amanda, Marisa, Kari, and Karla Beth) and three grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoys snow skiing, horseback riding, camping, shooting, and off-road trips to the mountains in their jeep.
The Man for The Job
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As a McLennan County native, Parnell has attended Waco schools. He later attended Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University and received his B.B.A. in Marketing and Business Management.
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2013 - Present
Sheriff of McLennan County
2006-2013
Texas CHL Instructor and NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
2005 - 2011
Private Investigator, Scentry Place Investigators
2007 - 2009
Chief Security Director and local Law Enforcement Liaison Officer, Azbell Electronics (subcontractor to Northrop Grumman)
1970 - 2003
Deputy U.S. Marshal, U.S. Department of Justice
1978-1992
Deputy-in-Charge of the Waco Division of the U.S. Marshal Service, Western District of Texas, which included 13 counties)
1963 - 1970
Guard, U.S. Marshal’s Service
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Advisory Board of the McLennan Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy, Board Member of the McLennan 100 Club, Board Member of Unbound (Human Trafficking), A. J. Moore Law Enforcement Advisory Board, Board Member McLennan County Bail Bonds, Republican Party of McLennan County, Committee Member, Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Steering Committee, Executive Board Member, Bosqueville Cemetery Association, U.S. Marshals Association, Baylor Alumni Association, Lakewood Christian Church, National Rifle Association, Centex Rifle and Pistol Club, Waco Gun Club, Waco Rotary, Waco Independent School District Alumni Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, North American Hunting Club, Dallas Safari Club, Texas Concealed Handgun Instructor’s Association, Texas State Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, Board Member, Bosqueville ISD School Board, Board Member; Waco Hedonia Club, Waco Cotton Palace, Waco Hedonia Club, Baylor Rodeo Club, Bosqueville Saddle Club, Waco Longhorn Saddle Club, Axtell Saddle Club , Speegleville Saddle Club, West Longhorn Saddle Club
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2003 Letter of Appreciation for Service to Law Enforcement by President George W. Bush
2003 Certificate of Appreciation for Service to Law Enforcement by Governor Rick Perry
2003 Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration
1999 Texas Department of Public Safety Director’s Award (highest award DPS gives an individual outside of their Agency)
1996 Certificate of Appreciation “In Grateful Recognition for Superior Contributions to the Law Enforcement Responsibilities of the United States Secret Service”
1992 The U.S. Marshal Service Director’s Special Achievement Award for work on the case of Serial Killer Kenneth Allen McDuff (This award was presented to Parnell by Director of U.S. Marshal Service, Henry Hudson, in Washington, D.C. This is the highest award given by the U.S. Marshal Service.)
1992 Special Recognition by Governor Ann Richards for the investigation leading to the capture of Serial Killer, Kenneth Allen McDuff
1985 through 1991 Attorney General’s Special Achievement Award for Sustained Superior Performance of Duty
1987 Distinguished Expert Shooter Award at the Federal Law Enforcement Officer’s Training Center at Glynco, Georgia
1975 National Association of Deputy U.S. Marshal’s Pistol Champion
from his distinct heritage of a family full of lawmen to decades of riding herd on the lawless, Parnell was made for this.
