James Goins

Over the years, McClain County Undersheriff James Goins has worn a variety of hats in public service.

After graduating from high school in 1989, Goins signed up as a volunteer fireman at Dibble. He retired as a major in that department last year.

Goins began his law enforcement career as a policeman at Wayne in 1992 and served there until he was sworn in as a deputy at McClain County in 1999 where he worked until taking over as Chief of Police in Dibble in 2005.

That’s when he jumped ship into some private work as assistant director of the juvenile Mental Health Facility in Norman.

Goins returned to the sheriff’s department as a deputy in 2016 and was promoted to Undersheriff in 2021.

He graduated from CLEET training in Oklahoma City.

Goins and his wife, Camara, have three grown children and five grandchildren.

The veteran law enforcement officer said the most satisfying aspect of his job is “helping people in their time of need and just being there for support.”

As with numerous other Oklahoma Counties, running jail is a very challenging facet of his job here in Purcell.

As of late last week McClain County was host to 58 inmates with some 16 others in jails around the area.

Tackling the job of being the number two law enforcement officer for a county of nearly 50,000 citizens can be demanding.

“The whole world has changed,” Goins said. “It can be very, very challenging but I love working with the public.”

Goins admitted his favorite part of being in law enforcement is investigating and solving crimes. He said he’s been involved in several homicide investigations.

Another hat for Goins to wear is with the town of Dibble. He has logged 17 years as the Dibble Public Works Director handling all their sewer and water system needs since 2005 .

In his spare time, Goins reports he enjoys hunting, fishing and going on cruises.