My career began with the Galveston Police Department in 1967 as a patrolman. The next 26 years broadened my experience with assignments within the Department including Patrol, Vice and Narcotics, Criminal Investigation, Identification & Crime Records and Administration. During my tenure, I was promoted to investigator, evidence technician, polygraph examiner, sergeant, captain, and then to chief of police. As Chief of Police, I commanded a force of 204 fulltime employees with an annual budget of 6.8 million dollars. Upon being selected as the Chief in 1989, I developed an aggressive 5 Year Business Plan which addressed improvement of employee morale; reestablishment of the public’s trust and confidence in the Department; reduction of neighborhood crime; development of community relation programs; and the replacement of out-of-date departmental weapons, computer and communications equipment using drug seizure funds.  Through this plan, the Galveston Police Department Citizens’ Police Academy was adopted and the first class graduated in March of 1992. The slogan of the Academy was Understanding Through Education and the program is still effective to this day and has been proven invaluable to the community through the formation of the Galveston Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association. The 5 Year Plan was successfully completed upon my retirement in 1993.

In August of 1993, I was hired by Sheriff Joe “Max” Taylor to command the newly formed Criminal Investigation Division and was assigned the rank of major. My additional duties included the supervision of the Communications Division and the School Liaison Officer Program. Upon Sheriff Gean Leonard’s election to office, I was appointed his Chief Deputy on January 1, 2001.  As Chief Deputy, my duties include the supervision of the command staff and the oversight of 403 fulltime and 50 part-time employees with the administration of a General Fund Budget of 28 million dollars. I have an excellent working knowledge of Galveston County’s various departments and their functions.

I am a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Course for Police Chiefs. I hold a Master Peace Officer and Instructor Certificates through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. My professional memberships have included the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Texas Chief Deputies Association, FBI National Academy Associates of Texas and Texas Jail Association.

My community involvement includes past and present services as a board member for the Child Advocacy Center; Department of Family (Children’s) Protective and Regulatory Services; Galveston Teen Health Center; Rotary Club of Galveston Island; United Way of Galveston; Communities in Schools; Galveston Mayors Gang Task Force and Galveston County Emergency Services District No. 1. I also serve as co-chair on the “Race for Scouting” recruitment committee for the Bay Area Council – Boy Scouts of America.

I have received numerous awards and recognition including “Officer of the Year” and “Deputy of the Year” from the Fifty Club of Galveston County.

I have been happily married to my wife, Karen, for 38 years. We have two daughters, Melissa and Wendy, son-in-law Stephen, and two grandchildren, Hannah and Tucker.