George W. Bush fulfilled his civic duty on Wednesday when the 43rd president of the United States showed up for jury selection at a Dallas courthouse.

Bush was one of 219 individuals called for jury duty at the Texas city's George Allen Courthouse, and other potential jurors used the opportunity to snap photographs and chat up the former leader, USA Today reported.

Joel Ehambe, an Irving, Texas, resident, said it took him a little while to realize just who had joined him at the courthouse.

"He sat, literally, right behind me, and I was like, 'I feel like I know this guy,'" Ehambe said. "I didn't pay too much attention until the judge himself said, 'It's an honor to have the former president of the United States (in the courthouse.)' I turned around, and I was like, 'Oh, I do know that that guy.'"

Nevertheless, Bush was ultimately not selected to serve on any panel, Freddy Ford, a spokesman for the 69-year-old, told the Dallas Morning News. The former president was at the courthouse in the 600 block of Commerce Street from about 8:50 a.m. until just before noon.

Judge Eric Moye, who heads the court on the 14th civil district that had called Bush for jury duty, said having the former president in his courtroom was "quite an experience" and he hoped his example would serve as an inspiration to other citizens.

"It would be great if everyone took their jury service the same way (Bush) did. He understood it was important, he took it in good nature and he was engaged and talked to the lawyers," Moye said.

He added, "One of the remarks I made to jury was all of you have some reason why you have to do something else. But take a look over and see you have the former president who has given his time to be here, so think how good your excuses for getting out of here really are."