The Midland County Commissioners Court voted on Feb. 4 to name two new law enforcement buildings after late Midland County law enforcement officials. The new jail will be named the Gary Painter Detention Center, while the new law enforcement building will be named the Michael Joe Naylor Law Enforcement Building.
Gary Painter served as Midland County Sheriff for 34 years. In honor of his service, a life-size bronze statue of Painter, valued at $90,000, will be placed at the detention center. Judge Terry Johnson revealed during the meeting that he and his wife personally donated the statue.
Family members of Sheriff Painter spoke about his impact on the community. "It's not just about a name on a building—it's about recognizing a lifetime of service, dedication, and impact on this community,” said his son, Justin Painter, a Midland ISD police officer, during the meeting. “Sheriff Gary Painter was a man of integrity, fairness, and an unwavering commitment to justice. By naming this facility after him, we ensure that his legacy endures not just as a memory, but as a daily reminder of the principles he stood for."
Painter’s daughter, Jennifer Painter, a Midland ISD teacher, expressed appreciation for the tributes shared. "It is so heartening to be able to hear everybody come up here and talk about my dad the way that they are and to hear the different stories that they have that I'm like, ‘Oh, I remember that.’ He did so much for Midland County—not just for the jail and the people that he worked with,” she said.
The Michael Joe Naylor Law Enforcement Building honors Sgt. Michael Joe Naylor, who died in the line of duty in 2014. Sheriff David Criner reflected on Naylor’s sacrifice. "As we officers do, we run towards the bad guys, and this time, we had a fallen officer,” he said.
Precinct 1 Judge Edelmira "Ede" Subi shared a personal story about Naylor, recalling the day he was killed. "On October 9, 2014, I was on call as an investigator for the sheriff's office,” she said. “I was called to respond to the hospital for what I thought was an officer-involved shooting. When I got there, I had to face one of the worst nightmares—I was facing my best friend, who was shot and killed. I did not want to believe that it was Mike—I had just spoken to him earlier that morning."
The buildings are set to serve as “lasting tributes” to Painter and Naylor, honoring their dedication and sacrifices to Midland County law enforcement.