William James Baxter appointed as new Lord-Lieutenant of County Tyrone

William James Baxter QPM DL has been appointed His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Tyrone, in a prestigious honour recognising his decades of distinguished public service and commitment to the local community.

The King has been pleased to appoint Mr Baxter to the role, succeeding Sir Robert William Lowry Scott KCVO OBE, who retired on June 17.

The appointment, announced on October 15, has been warmly welcomed locally, with Newtownstewart Presbyterian Church and the TUV in West Tyrone among those congratulating him on the achievement.

Mr Baxter has a long and distinguished record of public service, having served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) from 1973 until his retirement in 2003, when he held the rank of Superintendent.

He served as District Commander in Omagh from 1997, a role he held during one of the darkest days in the town’s history, the Omagh bombing in 1998.

Throughout his career and beyond, Mr Baxter has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting those who serve and protect the community. He has been chairperson of the Omagh Police District Voluntary Welfare Support Group and has been actively involved in the welfare and support of police widows and disabled police officers.

His contribution to public life has also extended to his local community, church and veterans’ organisations.

Mr Baxter served as Clerk of Session at Newtownstewart Presbyterian Church for 26 years and was an Elder for 31 years. He is also President of the Royal British Legion’s Newtownstewart Branch, continuing his commitment to supporting veterans and their families.

In 2013, he served as Sheriff for County Tyrone and has held the position of Deputy Lieutenant of the county for 14 years, bringing extensive experience and a deep understanding of the local community to his new role.

His service has been recognised through a number of honours, including the RUC Service Medal, the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM).

Mr Baxter lives in County Tyrone with his wife, Pearl. The couple have two adult children and four grandchildren.

Welcoming the appointment, the Session and Committee of Newtownstewart Presbyterian Church expressed their delight that their former Clerk of Session and long-serving Elder had received such a significant honour.

They said: “As a congregation, we are thrilled that our former Clerk of Session and Elder for 31 years has been recognised for his assiduous service to the community with the RUC/PSNI as a Superintendent and District Commander in Omagh over many years.

“His sense of service to others and leadership has also been demonstrated in his role as chairperson of the Omagh Police District Voluntary Welfare Support Group and as President of the Royal British Legion, Newtownstewart Branch.”

The congregation added that, while the appointment was a huge honour for Mr Baxter personally, the entire church community shared in the richly deserved recognition.

They extended their heartfelt good wishes and “God’s richest blessings” to Mr Baxter, his wife Pearl and all the family as he takes up his new responsibilities.

Stevan Patterson, TUV spokesman for West Tyrone, also welcomed the announcement.

He said: “The TUV in West Tyrone would like to congratulate Mr William James Baxter QPM DL on his appointment as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Tyrone.

“Wishing him every success in his new and very important role.”

The appointment marks a significant new chapter in Mr Baxter’s long record of service, with his extensive experience in policing, community welfare, church life and veterans’ affairs providing a strong foundation for his work as County Tyrone’s new Lord-Lieutenant.