The plaintiffs were Jimmie Channon, W. Derick Johnson, William L. McKamey, Anthony W. McRae, J.C. Riggs, Norman Wade, Bull E. Barrow, William Gorham and Leonard Tusa.

Channon said he is glad to get the matter behind him and move on with his life. Channon, who now works for the U.S. Marshals Service, said he still has many friends in the sheriff’s office and wished them all well. He said he worked at the sheriff’s office for 24 years.

Attorney Don Tittle, who represents the plaintiffs, said the settlement reinforces a public employee’s right to support the candidate of his choice during an election without repercussions. Tittle said he thinks this is the largest settlement of its kind in Texas.

“Since this lawsuit was filed, the nine plaintiffs, with over 130 years of law enforcement experience between them, have had to endure accusations that their case lacked merit, along with suggestions that it was a frivolous lawsuit,” Tittle said.

“The payments totaling $2 million on behalf of McNamara and the county to the plaintiffs provide strong vindication of what they’ve been saying all along.