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The sight of the rookie police officer, all of 5 feet 5 1/2 inches, walking up to a street fight in the age of disco was enough to momentarily stun combatants. Read More...

With 23 years of experience on the streets, the 53-year-old native of Austin calls the entire city home.

"All of the city is home," said Officer White who grew up on East 14th Street. Read More...

Oak Farms Profile Officer Henderson Officer Robin Henderson Whether she is braving the swift flood waters to help save fellow officers or chasing down burglary suspects or sharing her patrol knowledge with rookies, Austin Police Department Officer Robin Henderson understands she makes an impact on the lives of others.

It is a responsibility she proudly accepts as a seven-year veteran of the Austin Police Department. She began her law enforcement career as a member of the 90th Cadet
Class and was commissioned in 1997.

Since then she has been assigned to the Northeast, Southeast, South Central area commands and Street Response Unit. She is currently on the day shift in the newly created South Central command where she also takes on added duties as a field training officer.
Rookie officers are assigned to an FTO (specially trained veteran officers) after graduating from the academy for training and evaluation while assigned to patrol.

Officer Henderson is known for her attention to detail and procedures. Given a task to do she will take it to the next degree for completion.

Officer Henderson is the product of a military family. In fact, it was her father who suggested she consider a law enforcement career with APD. "We are constantly on the move and making contact with people while on patrol," Officer Henderson said. "I am a social butterfly and I like the personal contact."

Officer Henderson realizes that responding to a scene requires her undivided attention to not only her fellow officers but to residents. "I think is it important that people understand what we are doing at a scene and why we are doing it." Taking the time to explain the actions of the police goes a long way towards nurturing a good relationship with the community. She strives to build a strong relationship with the community she serves and works to earn their respect.

"I really love this job," she said. "There are some days that can be frustrating but I am always ready to come back the next day."

"Officer Henderson is the Cadillac of patrol officers," said Sgt. Fred Spencer. "I would take a whole shift of Robin Hendersons." Her South Central supervisor said Officer Henderson is a complete officer who is professional, polite, thoughtful and courteous, and can handle a difficult situation if push comes to shove.

Sgt. Spencer describes Officer Henderson as a model field training officer who sets an example for new officers. "I admire the way she does her job."
Officer Henderson has found her home in Austin after spending her early years moving from city to city as a member of a military family. Her off duty time is dedicated to her young son, boyfriend, two dogs and a cat.

"I love Austin," Officer Henderson said. "It's so eclectic with a wonderful mix of people. You never know who you are going to run into."

* Member of APD 90th Cadet Class
* Commissioned in 1997
* Field Training Officer
* Northeast Area Command patrol
* Northeast Street Response Unit
* Southeast Area Command patrol
* South Central Command patrol
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Oak Farms Profile Officer Jim Riley Officer Jim Riley is a teacher. Not a teacher by profession, but one who has taught a message that has touched the lives of more than 1,000 high school students.

Since 2003, Officer Riley has taken the mantra of "Don't Drink and Drive" to students throughout the Austin Independent School District - and he has spread the word in a very unique fashion.

Along with fellow APD STAR (Strategic Traffic Analysis and Response) Unit officers Ann Berru and David Noonan, Office Riley has taken the STAR CART (Choice and Responsibility Training) to school campuses, private businesses and safety fairs. It's a simple concept that sends a huge message.

The training vehicle is a golf cart that is driven by participants who are wearing "Fatal Vision" goggles on a specially designed course. The goggles simulate the impaired driving judgment and abilities of an individual who has consumed alcohol over the legal limit.

"It is a bigger success than we expected," said Officer Riley. "I am probably not the coolest teacher because I am still a cop but the overall response has been positive."

The two-day program began with a borrowed golf cart and a training session at Lanier High School (Office Riley's high school alma mater). The next stop was Reagan High School. Since that time, eight AISD high schools along with the Texas School for the Deaf have had visits from the STAR CART team.

The STAR CART program has given the veteran officer the opportunity get into the community and become involved with teenagers.

"You really never really know the true impact of the training," said Officer Riley. "But it does feel good when one of the students shakes your hand after one of the sessions and says thanks."

Sgt. Craig Cannon who supervises the STAR UNIT said it is "astronomical and amazing" what Officer Riley has done with the program. Officer Riley is a true veteran of community policing and no stranger to the neighborhoods and streets of North Austin.

After graduating from the APD Training Academy in 1982 as a member of the 65th Cadet Class, Officer Riley was assigned to patrol the Northwest Area Command. He was later assigned in 1998 to that command's district representative unit.

"Officer Riley embodies the principles of community policing," said Lt. Brian Manley. "He has dedicated a significant part of his career to carrying out community policing and improving the quality of life for others. His work goes a long way towards making the streets of Austin safer for all drivers."

He actually began his law enforcement career in 1979 as a civilian jailer at the old City Jail. At the age of 19 he was fingerprinting and locking up criminals. "I really grew up," said Officer Riley. "I spent three years dealing with drunks, dopers and attitudes so when I became an officer it wasn't a great shock of what I experienced on patrol."

Officer Riley also has an even closer connection to the police department. His father, Senior Sergeant Albert Riley, protected and served the Austin community for 30 years. He retired in 1991, but not before the younger Riley had the opportunity to patrol with his father. After 17 years in non-patrol positions, Sr. Sgt. Riley returned to the streets. "Dad enjoyed the streets," Officer Riley said. "We worked together for about a year."

Sr. Sgt. Riley was assigned to the Central West Area Command and his son's patrol assignment in Northwest Austin nudged up against his area. "Every officer has a buddy and Dad was mine," said Officer Riley. "We would understand one another when we would sit and talk and listen in the wee hours of the night." Senior Sgt. Riley died on August 18, 2003. "Patrol is in my blood," Officer Riley said. "It is very comfortable and I enjoy the streets."

When he is away from the blue uniform, Officer Riley, along with his wife of 21-years, is involved in the lives of their 16-year-old and 12-year-old sons. Both are raising show hogs in the Future Farmers of America program at their schools.

Officer Riley urges parents to talk to their children and pay attention to what they are interested in and away from school. "Involve yourself in your children's lives," Officer Riley said. "You don't have to crowd them, but you will still know what they are up to."

o Member of 65th Cadet Class

o Commissioned in 1982

o Assigned to Northwest Area Command patrol and district representative unit

o Assigned in 2003 to APD STAR Unit

o Life Saving Award

o Field Training Officer Commendation

o BASICS (Build Austin's Standards in Customer Service) Commendation

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By Monica Polanco - AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF - Monday, June 21, 2004

Bobbie Oliver used to stop people in their tracks.

The sight of the rookie police officer, all of 5 feet 5 1/2 inches, walking up to a street fight in the age of disco was enough to momentarily stun combatants.

"We were almost an oddity," Oliver said of female officers. "People would sometimes stare when we would drive down the street."

Oliver, who joined the Austin Police Department as Bobbie Owens in 1976, retired last month as the department's longest-serving female police officer. She was the first woman promoted to supervisor, lieutenant and captain (later renamed commander), the department's final promotable position.

Oliver, 48, became a jack of all trades in her 27-year career, working as a patrol officer, a sex crimes and theft investigator, a training and recruiting officer and a commander in the internal affairs division, among other assignments.

"It's because of people like her that we don't put that much emphasis on women being police officers nowadays," Sgt. Mary Hesalroad said. "She and others like her had to pave the way for us."

All she did was show up for work, Oliver said.

"As it turns out, that became the most important thing to do, which is not to get discouraged and just to realize that there were going to be bumps in the road," she said.

Today, about 150 women -- about 12 percent of the Austin force -- wear the badge, spokesman Kevin Buchman said. The department has improved in many ways, Oliver said.

"I think we're a lot more humane in the way that we treat people," Oliver said, noting stricter rules governing treatment of employees. "The new people that are hired are more educated. They've seen more of life. They've been exposed to more. I think our training has improved tremendously."

In a profession marked by the threat of death and discontent, Oliver held on to her compassion and her taste for laughter, colleagues said.

She has parted with a job grounded in reality for a trade some say is merely inspired by it. A self-taught actress who has performed in plays across Austin for about 15 years, Oliver will fly to New York next month to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. The Austin Circle of Theatres nominated her for a B. Iden Payne Award in 2000 for her work in Amelia Starr's "Inside's Out."

"It's been a great ride," Oliver said of her police career. "There's been high points and low points. I'd do it again."

A difficult road

Fresh out of college and the police academy, Oliver struggled with the technicalities of police work.

As one of six girls raised in a male-dominated household, she said, she had been sheltered from experiences her male counterparts learned from.

She didn't know how to distinguish makes and models of vehicles, didn't know that postal trucks weren't required to carry Texas license plates, and found it hard to juggle driving a patrol car while reading a map and watching for street signs.

In 1979, she was suspended for one day after she hit a parked car while in reverse, according to a disciplinary memo.

She was suspended again in 2001, this time for five days, because she began a romantic relationship with a subordinate, then-Sgt. Larry Oliver. They have been married for slightly more than a year. Bobbie Oliver, who graduated from college in three years, had been used to mastering tasks. She considered leaving law enforcement after four years on the street. She earned a teaching certificate in Spanish and English from the University of Texas and auditioned a career at Crockett High School in 1980, where she was a Spanish student teacher.

"It immediately showed me that wasn't what I wanted to do," she said. "I had spent about 80 percent of my time getting them to be quiet."

At least as a police officer, she could take people to jail when they misbehaved, Oliver thought.

She successfully applied for a promotion to sergeant the next year, an invigorating change. Like her father, a teacher and school administrator who got "itchy feet" every two to five years, Oliver sought new positions to stave off boredom.

'Not tough enough'

Civil service rules allowed Oliver to compete with male colleagues for promotions, but she was sometimes treated gingerly.

When she became the department's first female supervisor in 1985, she was assigned to supervise civilians in the communications division. Men holding the same rank supervised fellow officers. The all-male administration wanted to see how well she oversaw civilians before allowing her to supervise police officers, Oliver told the Austin American-Statesman in 1992.

She worked with some officers who said women shouldn't be police officers, colleagues who behaved inappropriately and a public that sometimes asked to speak to a "real officer."

Colleagues say Oliver was creative, philosophical and adept at solving problems, but supervisors thought her approach needed an overhaul.

"I was told several times that I wasn't tough enough, that I needed to be tough with people and really read them the riot act -- really stereotypical ideas about what managers should be," she said. "I think I wasn't seen as having as much leadership potential for that reason."

She led with aplomb in spite of that perception.

"She truly did care for the individuals that she managed and supervised," said Sgt. William Beechinor, who supervises detectives and district representatives in the north-central area command. "I guess she was really one of the two division commanders I've had that I've actually had loyalty for."

As commander over the internal affairs division, Oliver literally lost her skirt one day while trying to get from the parking lot to her office in the pouring rain. As soon as she got her skirt back on, she went to her office and told her colleagues. Beechinor immortalized the incident in a cartoon that Oliver saved.

"For her to maintain her sense of humor, compassion, her understanding of human nature and not becoming cynical says a lot about her character," Beechinor said. "At any level, this job will wear on you."

mpolanco@statesman.com; 445-3630

Oak Farms Profile Sgt. Todd Smith When Sgt. Todd Smith realized he had spent 280 days away from home in 1992 on business, he knew it was time to head back to Austin to complete his education, be with his family and join the Austin Police Department.

"At 28, I had travelled the country and gained valuable business experience, " said Sgt. Smith. "But I was ready to be a police officer and start a family."

The Austin-native started in the family restaurant business when he was 8 years old. He did everything from washing dishes, scrubbing floors and other odd jobs. At 21, he was married and well on his way to a successful business career.

Now at 38 with a marriage spanning 17 years and two sons, Sgt. Smith is well on his way in a promising law enforcement career.

A well-respected officer at APD changed Sgt. Smith's early views of law enforcement. He learned that officers genuinely care about people. They could also be intelligent. And they could do great things for the department and community. He put his application in with the department but began to ponder the question, "why would APD hire a 21-year-old waiter?" At the same time he was also offered a management position with a local restaurant. He decided to take the offer from the restaurant. But he was still drawn to APD. He submitted his second application. But once again Sgt. Smith had a large promotional opportunity and decided to advance his business career. This time he would be traveling coast-to-coast opening retail stores and managing all operations within the company with million dollar budgets. Another APD application was withdrawn and Sgt. Smith left Texas to stay many nights in hotels and a condo in Virginia Beach.

But the lure to return home and to APD remained strong. The third time was a charm for APD and Sgt. Smith. He submitted his application to APD, left the business world and returned to Austin. He earned his associates degree in government and was applying to The University of Texas at the same time he was accepted into the APD Academy.

And in 1995 he became a member of the Austin Police Department.

After graduating from the APD Academy, he was assigned to patrol in the Northwest Area Command and then to the Northeast Area Command. He was in the Motors Unit and then promoted to detective. He was assigned to the Northeast Area Command when he promoted to sergeant in 2002. He was assigned to the Southeast Area Command as supervisor of the district representatives unit. In 1998, he joined the Hostage Negotiation Team. As a negotiator for the department, Sgt. Smith has been to more than 100 incidents involving suicidal or barricaded individuals and now supervises the 24-member negotiation team. Sgt. Smith is currently assigned to the Crisis Intervention Team.

"Mental illness has no social or economic boundaries," Sgt. Smith said about the topic that remains taboo in many circles. "Law enforcement has always dealt with the mentally ill, but now we are training officers to respond with crisis intervention." Although the training is progressing, Sgt. Smith is surprised as the lack of resources available for treatment of the mentally ill. "There needs to be more funding and the public needs to approve the resources to make it happen."

When addressing the needs of mentally ill individuals, Sgt. Smith said officers have to change roles from what they are accustomed to on most scenes.

"Officers are learning to slow down and exercise patience to those in crisis," Sgt. Smith said.
"Sgt. Smith has good vision on the state of mental health," Lt. Jeffrey Hampton, Sgt. Smith's supervisor, said. "He sees the big picture and the critical role of law enforcement to improve the level of service. He has done a superior job with the Crisis Intervention Team and his people skills and flexibility in developing responses is crucial."

As a member of the Central Texas Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Sgt. Smith traveled to Ground Zero in New York to assist with debriefing officers who were the first responders to the World Trade Center attack.

Sgt. Smith said he has always been in the "people business". "I treat people the way I want to be treated," he said. "And if you do that you'll always have a following."

His enthusiasm for life shows whether he is wearing a badge or coaching his sons' baseball teams. His off duty hours are spent photographing a variety of subjects from weddings to sports to nature (toddsmithphoto.com) along with hiking, riding horses and "throwing rocks in the tank" at the family ranch.

o Joined APD in 1995
o Meritorious Service Medal
o Safe Driving Ribbon
o Fitness Ribbon
o Employee of the Year
o Certificate of Appreciation
o Certificate of Recognition
o Superior Service
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Oak Farms Profile Officer Dwayne Kinley Oak Farms Salutes Officer Dwayne Kinley Spend time with Austin Police Department patrol officer Dwayne "Duke" Kinley and there are three things that become crystal clear. He loves to help family. He loves to play basketball. He loves to smile.

"My family comes first," said Officer Kinley who is an 18-year veteran of the department. The strong ties to his native home Buffalo, New York continue but it was the need and desire to provide assistance to his 92-year-old aunt that brought him to the Capital city in 1979. "She has a lot of character and taught me to be independent," said Officer Kinley, a patrol officer in the Central West Area Command.

Officer Kinley's brother and father, who both died recently, were driving forces in shaping his belief system and developing his spirit for competition. "They were and remain strong influences in my life." He beams with pride and shows compassion when he shares stories about his wife, siblings and other family members.
Sports, particularly basketball along with football and tennis, have been a cornerstone in Officer Kinley's life. "I have been playing all my life." An education and sports that now include fishing, volleyball and golf got him out of the dangerous environment where he lived in upstate New York. "There seemed to be something happening everyday," he said. "It was pretty rough."

He started playing basketball in elementary school and high school and his love for the hard courts has followed him into adult life and he continues his love of playing and coaching. Prior to joining APD, he was a recruiter and assistant coach for the women's basketball team at St. Edward's University where he was also majoring in education and history. He also coached the APD women's team to a championship in the World Police Olympic games. And he won a gold medal in golf. He continues to coach youth teams in the community and has been a mentor at Blackshear Elementary School. He has given his time to play in benefit flag football basketball games that benefited area food banks and schools. And he has participated in good behavior incentive programs or Austin Independent School District students.

An upbeat attitude about his job and a sense of humor keeps Officer Kinley smiling on and off duty. He keeps a journal and writes daily about his experiences. There are good things that come out of bad situations. And a lot of humorous incident happen out on the streets.
"Having a conversation with people is important," he said. He has the ability to refocus their attention in tense situations. "I learned a lot for older officers and they taught me to be calm in the storm," Officer Kinley said. "The younger officers have taught me patient." Those are traits he has engrained in rookie officers when he was a field-training officer.

"Officer Kinley is very much a people person," Sgt. Brian Gruetzner of the Central West Area Command. "He can talk to anyone during any type of situation and calm the situation."
Officer Kinley has shared his patrol experiences and skills that earned him commendations for having the "knowledge of the people and the area" he was assigned to protect and serve. He has also been recognized as an officer who exemplifies "community policing at it's best."
"Being a field training officer has been the highlight of my career," said Officer Kinley. "I am proud of the officers I have trained and who have advanced through promotion."

While on the streets he has been shot at on multiple occasions and has had his share of calls that involved chasing down robbery suspects, arresting a robbery victim who was wanted for murder, responding to suicidal individuals, assisting a motorist by fixing her flat tire and recovering 49 pounds of marijuana at a disturbance call. However, there have been the times when he has responded to the needs of a family who had lost their only child in a traffic fatality or assisted at a scene where a fellow officer was injured. He's received handwritten notes from individuals who thanked him for his devotion and thoughtfulness as a police officer when responding to their tragedy.

"Officer Kinley is a people person who treats everybody as if they are the most important person at that time," Commander Ricky Hinkle said. "He truly understands this is a service profession first and above all."

Graduate of 74th APD Cadet Class
Joined APD in 1986
Honorable Conduct Citation
Safe Driving Ribbon
Outstanding City of Austin Employee
Certificate of Appreciation
BASICS Customer Service Award
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Engage in a conversation with Austin Police Department Sgt. Elizabeth Donegan about her law enforcement career and it's a matter of minutes before she turns her attention to her detectives. One is hard-pressed to learn directly from the 41-year-old leader of the Sex Crimes Unit about the significant contributions to the department she has made to ensure that Austin is one of the safest cities in the United States.

"The Sex Crimes detectives do a terrific job working the cases and making the arrests," said Sgt. Donegan. "They will drop everything to work as a team and work a case."
The native of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Social Psychology degree began her service to society as a member of the United States Army from 1985 to 1989. After a tour of duty in Germany, she found her way to Austin and became a corrections officer in 1990 with the Travis County Sheriff's Office. From 1991-92 she was a drill instructor for the Convicted Offender Re-Entry Effort Program (CORE). She became a commissioned peace officer with APD in 1992. Prior to her promotion to sergeant in 2002, Sgt. Donegan was assigned as a detective in the Child Abuse Unit, Missing Persons Unit and Internal Affairs. As a patrol officer she worked in the Northwest Area Command and SAFE Unit. She is also a graduate of The University of Texas West Point Leadership Academy.
Even though she was instrumental in building the foundation for two programs at APD, Sgt. Donegan is quick to point out that it wouldn't be possible without assistance from her colleagues. The Sex Offender Apprehension Registration (SOAR) Unit along with the Technology to Recover Abducted Kids (TRAK) system was established as a result of Sgt. Donegan taking the time to explore the programs - on department time and on her own time.
A Crimes Against Children Seminar sponsored by the Dallas Police Department that Sgt. Donegan attended resulted in the SOAR Unit being formed at APD. Even before the program was fully operational, Sgt. Donegan spent time at her kitchen table addressing and stuffing envelopes that were to be mailed with registration information to sex offenders to get the program off the ground.

Sgt. Donegan introduced the TRAK system to APD in 2000 when she was assigned as a detective to the Youth Services/Missing Persons Unit and had researched alert systems available to law enforcement. Sgt. Donegan spent time studying the different alert systems and even traveled one weekend to the Houston-area to talk with the family of a missing girl who was abducted and murdered in 1997. The TRAK system enables law enforcement to capture and immediately distribute digital images and pertinent information within minutes via FAX broadcast after a child or endangered individual has reported missing to authorities. More than 500 enforcement agencies in 23 states have implemented the program. The program was funded by the Greater Austin Crime Commission.
Currently Sgt. Donegan oversees 10 detectives who investigate crimes ranging from sexual assault to public lewdness to improper video recordings.
A high point in the unit's history was Operation Night Crawler. The successful initiative resulted in the arrest of a sexual assault predator in 2002. Sex Crimes detectives along with street response from Central West an Northwest area commands, specialized crime analysts, district representatives, FBI and Travis County Sheriff's Office successfully stopped with the arrest of Ernest Lee Perry, 30, who was preying on female victims in North Austin and Travis County. Sgt. Donegan credits the arrest and conviction of the suspect to the cooperation between the agencies. "The dedicated work by the detectives, APD personnel and other agencies took a dangerous predator out of our neighborhoods," said Sgt. Donegan.
"Working crimes against persons gives us the opportunity to utilize a large pool of resources," she said. Advancement in forensics has greatly enhanced the investigator's ability to solve crimes along with assistance from other APD units and law enforcement agencies. The unit works extensively with SafePlace personnel and SANE nurses to meet the needs of sexual assault survivors.
"She is a strong voice for the victims of rape and continues to fight for the rights of the victims and making sure her detectives present prosecutable cases to the district attorney's office," said Lt. Pete Morin who is Sgt. Donegan's supervisor. She genuinely cares about the people who work in her unit and strives to further the mission of the department."

FOR THE HR BOX:
o Served in U.S. Army from 1885-89
o Joined APD in 1992
o Assigned to Northwest Area Com
mand Patrol
o Safe Unit
o Promoted to Detective in 1997
o Child Abuse, Youth Services/Missing
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Name any address within the city limits of Austin and chances are Officer Earl White has patrolled that area.

With 23 years of experience on the streets, the 53-year-old native of Austin calls the entire city home.

"All of the city is home," said Officer White who grew up on East 14th Street.

Officer White graduated from the Austin Police Department Academy in 1981, but his law enforcement career began working security at Austin Community College. He has been a member of the Brackenridge Hospital Police force and also the Aviation Police Department. He began his career with APD as a patrol officer assigned to the Northwest Area Command. Since that time patrol assignments have taken Officer White to every area command and he has responded to everything from political protests to an exchange of gunfire with bank robbers in 1993.

"I've learned through the years that an officer on patrol needs to be at ease when dealing with people and not be a machine," said Officer White who is currently assigned to the Homeland Defense Division. This is wisdom he has shared with the cadets he has come in contact with as a Field Training Officer. He says it is all about treating people how you want to be treated and keeping an open mind when responding to a situation.

"I've told officers to utilize your brain power and communication skills," he said. "You have to know how to talk to people."

Growing up in East Austin, Officer White was taught responsibility and developed a strong work ethic while working along side his father at the family service station located at Airport Boulevard and Gunter Street.

"My father instilled a strong work ethic in me," said Officer White who added he had his duties at the station and was paid for the work he performed. His grandfather who was also a mechanic has served as a positive influence in his life.

Officer White's early attempts at being a mechanic were not always met with the best results. He remembers his 1957 Chevrolet that his father had helped him repair. On the third trip to the garage for help with the car, Officer White was ushered out to his father's pick up. In the bed of the truck was a tool box that his father promptly announced was his son's new possession. Officer White was now on his own to repair his car. He accepted the task and soon had his car back on the road.

Aside from learning the nuts and bolts of repairing a car, Officer White also learned the fine art of patience from his father and grandfather.

"There are times in law enforcement we have the luxury of time," said Officer White. "Other situations result in immediate action and that is when we rely on our training."

"Officer White is an example to all of us about personal bravery," said Commander Ricky Hinkle who oversees the Homeland Defense Division. "He has defended the community against those who threatened the lives of our citizens. He is a person who I admire and respect and I am proud to serve in the same department with officers like him."

A former music major at Huston-Tillotson College, Officer White still keeps his ear to music by singing in the T.E. King Male Chorus at his church. He attends Greater Swenson Baptist Church with his wife of 20 years, Ethel, and his parents. His pride and love for his family is evident when he discusses his three children and a grandson who was born on September 11, 2002.

He admits his father was a strict disciplinarian when he was growing up. Something that he finds is missing in some families that he has encountered while on patrol.

"Parents need to raise their kids," Officer White said. "Kids should not be raising themselves."

Officer White finds his work patrolling key installations a necessary but an unexpected assignment that is now a new role for law enforcement. "No one could have anticipated September 11th."

"I really enjoy working patrol," he said. Outdoors is where he has always wanted to work and his calling has always been to be on patrol to help people needing his assistance. "I've helped a lot of people while enforcing the law and I've always believed in treating people fairly," he said.

One thing Officer White does know it is important to listen and learn. "I had an older officer tell me when I was just starting out with APD that after our shifts were over we wanted to make sure we all got to go home to our families." back to top

Recent Retriee Sgt. Michael Huckabay is new Chief of Security at Brackenridge Hospital Sgt. Michael Huckabay By Loretta McCarty When Sgt. Michael Huckabay, 56, retired after serving the City of Austin for 30 years he said his wife gave him two days to relax before telling him to get out and earn a living. His wife, Monica, denies she said it, but that's his story and he is sticking to it.

Whomever you believe, Huckabay is again "earning a living" as the new Chief of Security at Brackenridge Hospital over its emergency department. And after a month on the job he said, "so far, so good."

"He wouldn't have lasted a week at home, he is too active," said his wife with a hearty laugh. "He cannot sit still and would have been bouncing off the walls like that cartoon character Ricochet Rabbit."

She is probably right. Huckabay admits he needs to work and be active; a trait that began for him at the age of 11, selling peaches from his grandmother's orchard. He also had a paper route, and worked in a grocery store.

Growing up in Odessa, with three brothers and a sister, he describes his childhood as unhappy. His father worked for the Ford Motor Company, but had a drinking problem and bounced around from job-to-job. Huckabay said there was always a lot of, "fussing, fighting and feuding" going on.

Despite his rocky upbringing, he perks up at the memory of playing high school football for the Odessa Permian Panthers, which he claims had the best football team in the nation back in the 1960s, '70s and part of the '80s. Back in the day he played two positions: defensive back and linebacker. The team, he said, had "mojo" and won a lot of state championships.

"Our mascot's name was "Mojo", which is a mystique. I can't tell you what it means because it is a secret; only the football players on the team knew what it meant," he said seriously.

After graduating, he left the oil fields of West Texas behind him and spent four years in the Army. While serving in Vietnam he was wounded twice. He received shrapnel in his left hand and was later wounded in his lower back and legs. Huckabay was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Medal for Valor.

While recovering at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, and with two-years left on his tour of duty, he toyed with the idea of becoming a fireman, like his brother. But after spending weekends at the firehouse in San Antonio, he decided there was too much down time and not nearly enough action to suit him.

Instead, he answered an ad in the newspaper and applied for a position as a police officer in both Austin and San Antonio. A few weeks later he received offers from both cities. He chose Austin.

Shortly after signing on with the Austin Police Department he got married and worked full time, while attending night school at St. Edward's University, earning a degree in criminal justice. Five years later he left the force and moved to West Texas in search of a drier climate for his young son, William, who suffered from asthma. In the early '80s he returned to Austin and rejoined the department. His son, William is now a 911 operator at the police department.

After 30 years on the force Huckabay gained the reputation as a great storyteller and a fun-loving character with a ready joke.

"When I met him he had been around so long and had so many stories, I never knew what was true or a tall tale," said Det. Janice Tanecka, who worked with Huckabay as a district representative in South Austin. "As police officers, we see so much negative stuff everyday, but he kept his sense of humor. We will miss his laugh and his mannerisms. All you have to do is say his name and people get a grin on their faces. He was a very good officer who helped a lot of people."

Despite his upbeat manner and positive attitude, Huckabay recalls times when he doubted his choice of careers and was tempted to quit. He remembers the day he witnessed a man shoot himself, after killing his two children, during an early morning disturbance call in the early '70s

"I cried after that and decided there would be no more police work for me," said Huckabay in a voice that still chokes up at the memory. "We didn't have any psychologists to talk to back then."

He eventually made the decision to stay with the force and later became one of the lead detectives on the yogurt shop murder case in 1991. For three years he helped lead a massive investigation into the murder of four young girls during what was believed to be a botched robbery attempt.
"One of my best days of my career was getting the guys who did this crime into custody and getting a confession. I felt I owed the families something," said the sergeant who left the department with a case clearance rate of 99 percent.

His friend of 30 years and fellow officer, Sgt. Dunny Donovan said, "He changed after working that case. It consumed so much of his time and he became emotionally involved with the families. He had a soft heart and a tough job."

Another thing that slowed Huckabay down was the surgery he underwent for a brain tumor three years ago. The tumor was benign. However, his surgeon failed to install a shunt to relieve the pressure and after the surgery he said he felt like he was going in circles, the pressure was so bad. His friend Donovan said Huckabay told him the ordeal really "kicked his butt". Last August his new doctor recognized the oversight and performed another surgery to insert a shunt. Huckabay said his MRI's have been negative ever since.

Sgt. Robert Pewitt, who has been friends with Huckabay since the '70s and worked with him on patrol and in the child abuse unit, echoes many of his colleagues when he said, "The department is going to miss Huckabay's experience. He is very intelligent, a good investigator and he served the city well."

But at home he is just dad to his 6-year-old son Jonathan, who keeps him busy running to and from football and baseball practices and games. His wife thinks her husband is a wonderful, interested, involved parent, and a good role model for their son. Huckabay also has four older children from his first marriage, six grandkids, and one on the way to keep him on his toes.
On reflection, Huckabay said he did it all. His job was never boring, and there was always that adrenaline rush. He misses the people he said, but not the job, yet. back to top

Sr. Officer Barbara Poke plans to take it easy and regroup Sr. Officer Barbara Poke By Loretta McCarty For six of her 25 years on the police force Sr. Officer Barbara Poke, did foot patrol on Sixth Street, Austin's most popular party scene. When her shift was up, she was happy to leave it behind.

"I hated Sixth Street," said the newly retired veteran officer. "I left that beat in 1986 and haven't been back since. I got tired of the drunks and thieves and the smell of it. It does that to you."

One unnerving incident was a night she and another female officer grappled a drunken bar patron to his knees in the street. The two women handcuffed him and were about to put him in the paddy wagon, when a crowd of 50 people suddenly surrounded them wanting to take over the prisoner.

"They didn't want us to arrest him and were trying to jump us," she said. "I radioed for backup to disperse the crowd. We took him to jail, but it was scary."

Things didn't improve much for Polk when she transferred to Charlie shift. On her first day of duty she scraped the bumper of her police car backing out of the police station. Her sergeant was upset with her and wrote her up. The pressure she felt made her want to quit. Then along came Officer Steve Mallon.

"Steve is retired now, but he will always hold a special place in my heart," Polk said. "He took me under his wing and gave me a chance, where others shunned me. I really appreciate him for that."
When Polk joined the force in the late '70s, a woman officer was rare, an African-American woman, officer was even rarer. Like most recruits she had to prove herself to gain acceptance. She found her niche when she transferred to the traffic shift, which became the License and Weight Unit.

When Sr. Patrol Officer Jim Cottingham joined her unit three years ago, he started calling Polk "Mama". Not, he said, because she is older, or to be disrespectful, but because she listens and gives good advice.

"She was my partner. I would trust her with my life. And I wouldn't say that if it wasn't true," he said. "She is a good officer and commands respect. The truckers we work with are seriously scared of her, because she does such thorough inspections."

Contrary to the rap she gets from the truck drivers, who say she is mean because she won't cut them any slack, the officers who work with her think she has a generous spirit.

"Ever since I've known her she has never had a bad word for anyone. She is well respected," said Sr. Police Officer Rich Harrington. "She carriers her own weight and we can always count on her - - all we have to do is ask."

"When people get close to retiring they can get an, 'I don't care attitude,'" said Sr. Officer Carl Cumberbatch. "I've seen it a lot, but she didn't. She was concerned about us and worked up until her last day."

The close-knit group, who used to "do" breakfast most mornings, said they miss Polk already, especially the way she ordered her toast. Like James Bond, who religiously orders his martinis shaken, not stirred. Polk likes her toast, dark, not burnt, and without butter.

Polk came to Austin from Homestead, Florida in 1973 on a scholarship from St. Edwards University. She studied theatre to become an actor, until shyness forced her to switch gears. She chose criminal justice because it was different and she was curious about "the other side".

Recruited by the Austin police force out of college, Polk failed her first entrance exam, but persisted and passed on her second try. She became pregnant in 1982, as did five other female officers that year (she said there was something in the water.) The birth of her daughter changed her life and she learned to strike a balance between being a mother and an officer.

Her daughter Ashley, now 21 and a college student, was thankful her mother was a cop. She said it kept her on the straight and narrow and well adjusted.

"Some people think being a police officer is a negative thing, but it was kind of cool. My friends were impressed and the guys were scared of her," she said.

A firm believer in fate, Polk feels everyone is destined to be a certain way from the first moment of our life. She believes that she did what she was meant to do, and wouldn't change a thing.

An active community volunteer and youth advocate, Polk was honored with a "Woman of the Year" award from a local women's group in 2000. In retirement she plans to continue her work with youth programs at her church. Polk is looking forward to a new phase of her life.
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New retiree Anthony "A.J." Johnson is running for sheriff Senior Officer Anthony "A.J." Johnsonr By Loretta McCarty Pounding the pavement, shaking hands and kissing babies will be the order of the day for the next few months, for new retiree, Anthony Johnson as he hits the campaign trail with the enthusiasm of a new recruit.

Officially, Sr. Police Officer Johnson, 47, retires from the Austin Police Department January 17th. But he's already moved on and added a new bullet to his resume as a candidate for Travis County Sheriff.

"This is a perfect opportunity for me," he said. "I have always been interested in being sheriff, and it would be a step up. I think my chances are good, but if I don't get it, life goes on."

With his 24 years of experience Johnson knows all about police and community issues and what matters to the common man. And he plans to give it all he has to win the job.

"A.J. will make a good sheriff. He's good with people, paperwork and he's a great administrator," said Sr. Patrol Officer Todd Myers, who has known Johnson since they were both army brats at Killeen High School.

"He has great leadership skills, and what he can't do, he can delegate," continued Myers. "I wasn't going to let him retire, but he's moved on to something else, and I look forward to working with him again on his campaign."

During his career Johnson worked in the Hispanic Crimes Unit, Street Crimes: Gang Unit, and Street Response. He specialized in "hot" areas such as burglary, did undercover work and put his share of criminals behind bars. There were some close calls, and he admits there were scary times.

"Hell yea, I was scared," said Johnson. "One time after I made a large drug purchase, I thought I was going to buy the farm. I was alone with five or six crooks when one of them put a gun to my head. He said I was a cop, but I turned it back on him and said he was a cop. Fear helps you work harder to stay alive."

Despite the dangers, Johnson said he'd do it all over again in a heartbeat, citing several reasons why he made it his career. His dad was a sergeant in the army, and discipline reigned in the family. They lived all over the U.S. and abroad, ending up at Fort Hood, Texas in 1980. Johnson served three years in the army and studied criminal justice at Central Texas in Killeen, before joining the Austin Police Department.

Over the years he earned the respect of his fellow officers by being fair and listening to all sides of an issue before making a decision. He is honest about the decisions he makes and adheres to the facts and the law at hand.

"He is an awesome guy - - polite and respectful," said Sr. Police Officer and good friend, Deek Moore. "Our unit has a lot of 'Type A' personalities with different ideas, which sometimes cause conflict. We considered A.J. the decision maker and respected his opinion."

In fact, Moore said now that Johnson is no longer there to lend his voice of reason, they often ask themselves, "what would A.J. do?" in this situation. Moore said the unit would always carry respect for him.

His longtime partner, Myers, said he owes his own success to Johnson. He credits Johnson with getting him interested in the force. He became his mentor, Myers said, and molded him into the person he is today.

Even the bad guys liked Johnson, according to Myers. They once arrested a crack dealer and armed robber named "Frisco," who said no one would ever take him alive. However, Johnson caught him and put him in jail. For years the inmate sent letters and drawings to A.J., letting him know how much he respected him. The drug dealer claims it took the best to catch him.

Now that his years as a police officer are over no one seems surprised by Johnson's decision to run for public office including, Assistant Chief, Cathy Ellison.

"A.J. works hard at whatever he does. He knows what the community wants and needs. He would not be running if he didn't think he could do it," she said. "He likes being where the action is, taking risks and challenging himself."

His wife, Kellye, thinks he is a natural for the job and said she will help him campaign and be the first in line to cast her vote.

"I am really happy he is running for sheriff," she said. "It's his dream."

Johnson was recognized with more than 220 medals and letters of commendation for his years of service to the City of Austin, including one for saving a man's life. As he stumps for the job of sheriff, he hopes voters will look at his record to know what kind of man they are getting for the job. back to top

New retiree Det. Robert Merrill starts over at D.A.'s office in April Detective Robert Merrill By Loretta McCarty If you ask Det. Robert Merrill, 49, which job he liked the most during his years as an Austin police officer, he'll say jokingly, the one he has now - retiree.

As of December Merrill left behind the stress and demands of the job he put his heart and soul into, to do, as he puts it, nothing. However, that will be a short-lived wish, come April.

Merrill is taking only four months to clear his head, to do some of the things he loves like riding his motorcycle and working on his computer. Then he heads back to work as an investigator for the Travis County District Attorney's Office.

"After working long and hard as a police officer for 25 years, and always showing up on time, I want to play a little," he said.

Sgt. Raul Munguia, was a cadet in Merrill's training class back in 1994. He said if you were looking to learn, Merrill was looking to teach you.

"When I first saw him I thought, 'please not him; I hope I don't have to ride with him.' He looked liked a redneck (to me) and was so serious," Munguia said. "But he was the first one I drove with. And in retrospect, I was blessed to be on that shift."

The sergeant said his opinion of Merrill quickly changed the first time out with him. He saw that he had a lot of compassion for the average man on the street. Even people he had arrested and put in prison at one time would come up and thank him for treating them with dignity.

"That was just Bob; it is just the way he is. I can't believe he's gone. We miss him in Homicide and everything he did. He went all out and did an excellent job," Munguia continued. "His shoes can't be filled. Personally I think he was the best officer down there."

Merrill was part of an investigative team in 1999 that helped crack the partially solved yogurt shop murder case, where four teenage girls were murdered in a North Austin yogurt shop and their bodies set ablaze in 1991. In August, the team obtained information that led to further arrests in the case, and by September they had confessions. He considers it one of his best days on the force.

"Homicide is a stressful job," said Det. Ismael Campa. "But Bob handled it well. He had the ability to put cases together in his mind, was dedicated and worked hard. The men of his unit looked to him for guidance and as a confidant."

"Bob genuinely cared for the families of the victims. His approach and his ability to connect in a painful situation, on a humane level, was quite extraordinary," Campa said.

Sgt. Hector Reveles agrees. "Bob is a very skilled and gifted detective and his compassion for victims is unusual. He was straightforward and showed his emotions when he communicated with family members who lost relatives."

Merrill grew up about 60 miles from Amarillo in the small town of Hereford. He knew by the age of 10 he wanted to do something in law enforcement and originally considered the F.B.I. He earned a degree in Public Administration from National University during his four-year hitch in the Marines, stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. He served as a reserve officer for a short time in Oceanside, before returning to Texas to join the Austin Police Department.

Merrill developed and maintained a good work ethic throughout his career. He believed that your reputation follows you forever. He advises others they can go as far as they want by working hard and doing good work.

That's good advice coming from a man who went his entire career without a complaint. He received many impressive commendations, ranging from a 20-year honorable conduct award, certificates of appreciation and police Employee of the Year, to Outstanding Achievement.

Merrill is married to fellow officer Sgt. Lizzie Merrill, who is also a new retiree after serving 27 years. Together for two decades the couple have two teenage daughters. But despite their long union, it wasn't exactly love at first sight. In fact, they worked on the same shift but couldn't stand each other.

"I thought he was a cocky ex-Marine. He didn't like women doing police work, but we gradually grew on each other and started dating," she said.

Her husband is a humble guy so she does all the bragging for him. She said he was a meticulous investigator and wouldn't stop until all the leads ran cold. And that's why their kids are so honest, and don't try to get away with anything.

She understands why her husband retired. After 11 years with Homicide, it is hard to continually stay focused on minute details. She knows he needed a rest, which he will get - until April. back to top

For retiree Kenneth Roberts it was time to go Detective Kenneth Roberts By Loretta McCarty Detective Kenneth Roberts, 51, loved his job as an Austin police officer, the people he worked with and those he served. There was no particular reason he chose to retire December 23 -- he just felt it was time to go.

Combined with his nearly 6-year stint in the army as a military policeman, Roberts devoted 31 years of his life to public service without any trouble. His philosophy of treating people right served him well.

"I never once had any trouble in 25 years on the force," said Roberts. "You have to treat people how you would want your own family to be treated -- your own mother or brother."

He was a man true to his word, according to his friend and Senior Patrol Officer, Gilbert Cardenas. Cardenas said he hates to see "Kenny Mike," his street name, leave because he was one of the best police officers he ever worked with.

"He is a wealth of knowledge, a good worker and he never got burned out. His attitude was always the same, positive and aggressive," said Cardenas.

Cardenas tells of the time the duo was called to a burglary in progress at the home of an elderly woman. Roberts knew the area well, having grown up there, and had a real knack for knowing which way burglars would run.

"He would drive his car around where he thought they would be and wait. It seemed like all he had to do was open the car door and they would run in," said Cardenas. "He taught me a lot."

After they had retrieved the stolen goods Cardenas said Roberts remarked how broken down the old woman's house was. He recruited fellow officers to help him clean it up. So the next day they cut the brush, pulled weeds, hauled away trash, painted and repaired the old home.

Cardenas said Roberts made a habit of doing these kinds of things. He never made a big deal about it; he just did it.

His partner for many years, Det. Jeff Seaholm, felt more like a brother to him and provided comic relief to Roberts more serious side. He will miss Roberts horribly - they spent so much time together they could finish each other's sentences. Seaholm said his longtime partner would do anything for you.

"He is a compassionate man," said Seaholm "Once when we were working the street we arrested a guy for a minor offense. Kenny saw a mean dog chained in the guy's front yard and asked me to distract it while he filled its bowl with some dog food."

The two officers remained good friends away from work as well working on antique cars together. Tinkering in the garage and making something from nothing, as Roberts describes his hobby, will remain one of his distractions now that he is no longer chasing bad guys.

Roberts, who lived in Austin most of his life, grew up poor along with three brothers and three sisters. He is not married and has no children but is a devoted son to his mother and a good uncle to his nephew. But the love of his life is his Chihuahua dog Czer, given to him by officer Cardenas.

"He still calls and thanks me for that dog," said Cardenas. "He told me it was the best dog anyone could have given him. He shares "custody" with his Mom -- she has it on the weekends and he gets Czer during the week."

Reflecting on his career as a police officer, Roberts said he had more good days than bad and no regrets. Presented with the "Investigator of the Year" award in 2000, he felt highly honored. He especially loved catching those who thought they couldn't be caught; and got everyone he went after.

"He was a detailed guy and always made sure he had his i's dotted and his t's crossed. He wanted to make sure that when the case went to court, they would have the evidence to be found guilty," said Seaholm.

Assistant Chief Robert Dahlstrom, knew the detective for 25 years and summed it up by saying Roberts will be greatly missed, not just for his skills as an officer, but more deeply as a friend.

"He has a heart bigger than life and is one of the nicest and kindest guys I've ever known," he said. "He is a super guy and as street savvy as they come. He is one of a kind and the department will miss him greatly."
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Ask those who have ever met, known or worked with Lt. Jerry Fearn, 54, be it his family or fellow officers, all say the same thing - "we love him." In fact you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would disagree.

"He is a great man," said Sgt. Norris McKenzie. "I've known Jerry for 15 years and worked Street Narcotics under the same chain of command with him. He is highly ethical, and a good role model. He is one of those police officers others respect, and you never hear anything bad about him."

McKenzie said Fearn was more than just his supervisor; he is a friend. He will miss him: his advice, common sense approach and perspective. He will also miss the frequent long talks in Fearn's office where they discussed subjects ranging from A-Z.

Fearn's daughter Beth Polo, 26, an only child, thinks so highly of her father that her mother said when she was a little girl she thought her dad ran the police department.

Polo said her dad loved being a police officer. He wasn't power hungry and never took advantage of his position. He even insisted on paying full price at Sea World the day police officers were being honored after 9/11.

"My dad is the real deal," said Polo. "Sometimes people are painted to look like a good guy, but my dad is truly a good guy, period. He is soft spoken, respectful and calm, and elicits being a good person in others. You want to make him proud. He is worthy of praise but humble."

Assistant Chief of Police Robert Dahlstrom, a fellow officer and personal friend, agreed with Polo's assessment. He said the force would miss his wealth of police knowledge and his soft-spoken, voice of reason, which made him a "go to" guy in a crisis.

"Jerry was a mentor to me when I was a patrol officer," said Dahlstrom. "I still remember when he told me that one of the biggest changes to being a supervisor is that instead of just your finger on the trigger, you have to worry about 10 fingers on the trigger. It was a unique way of putting it and it made a big impression on me. I even remember (when he said this) we were driving down Riverside and I-35 on the way to a baseball game."

A police officer for 31 years, the lieutenant said he made the decision not to promote any further because he did what he wanted to do.

Fearn admits that becoming a police officer was not his first choice of careers. He spent three years at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) and was in the National Guard when he met up with Travis McDonald, with whom he had gone to high school. McDonald, who was then a police officer, suggested he give it a try.

He harbors no regrets about his choice, and liked the job because of its variety. Every call is different; no burglary, or family dispute is ever the same.

His worst day on the force was an early morning call received while working Homicide. He walked into a home where three children had been clubbed to death by James Davis. Davis, who had also sexually abused a young girl, was later executed for the crime.

Fearn said, "With crimes of murder you usually only get one shot at convicting them. This experience firmed my resolve to always get a complete conviction (of the guilty)."

"With Jerry there were no mistakes," said McKenzie. "He was very thorough, he worked hard and required those that worked for him to do the same. He was a no nonsense guy, but he cared about people."

A firm believer in training, Fearn advises new cadets to learn as much about the job as they can and to treat people as if the shoe were on the other foot. He cannot remember a single time when he didn't want to go to work.

"If the job starts bothering you, and you begin to resent it, find another job," advises Fearn.

Fearn also believes in the "Golden Rule," and following it. He said he would like to be remembered as someone who always did the best he could do.

Along the way he earned his share of awards and recognition including: the Certificate of Merit, Master Police Officer Ribbon, Honorable Conduct Ribbon, for no Internal Affairs sustained allegations, and safe driving awards.

Nancy, his wife of 29 years, said she was a little concerned about her husband's retirement at first because of his strong work ethic. However, she said he woke up the first day, went to H.E.B. and bought groceries and then did the wash. She thinks his retirement is going to work out great.

Fearn plans to keep active by umpiring high school baseball, do some remodeling on his home and his mother's, go fishing, and take a few trips with his brother, who is a truck driver. He also plans to continue his traditional volunteer work with Blue Santa.

Is there any wonder why everybody loves Jerry?
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Former Assistant Police Chief Jimmy Chapman joins the private sector Assistant Police Chief Jimmy Chapman By Loretta McCarty With the energy and enthusiasm of a man half his age, recently retired Assistant Police Chief Jimmy Chapman, 49, exudes confidence about his future and said life couldn't be better.

After 25 years on the force and at the top of his game, Chapman stepped away from his high-profile position saying it was time to move on. However, he has no plans to slow down or head for an old folks home. He recently signed on with Signature Science, a company that provides services for use by the government regarding national security issues. He starts lobbying for government grants this week in Austin, and plans to spend some time in Washington D.C.

"I bumped into this opportunity and thought I'd better take it while I still had my wits about me," said Chapman. "It gives me the sense of doing something for the greater good."

Additionally, he'll head up a training program that teaches law enforcement personnel how to fight the proliferation of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. As assistant chief, Chapman oversaw the APD division of Homeland Defense uniquely qualifying him for the job.

Chapman rose steadily throughout his career, from patrol officer to assistant police chief, never staying more than three years in any position. He attributes his success to thinking "out of the box" and a positive attitude.

"His energy was contagious," said Chapman's one-time Internal Affairs boss, Commander Bobbie Oliver. "Every time he got a new assignment, he gave 100 percent. He was always open to new ideas and was a real team player."

Oliver was also impressed with Chapman's people skills. She said unlike many others on the force he was not afraid to develop personal relationships with people at work.

"Jimmy would always say life is too short not to have meaningful relationships," the commander said. "He cared about people; they mattered to him. He tried to see the good in everyone, even the bad guys."

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he has two brothers and two sisters, and he was considered the "good kid" of the family. His father, now deceased, was a 32-year-veteran of the F.B.I. His mother taught Spanish. The family moved frequently, because of his father's job and lived briefly in Laredo, before making Austin their permanent home.

While an education major at U.T., Chapman became interested in the policing business. He would ride along with his policeman brother on Friday nights. He got hooked and gave up his dream of becoming a college football coach. Two weeks after graduation he joined the police force. This would become the only job he ever had, up until now.

Longtime friend and fellow officer, Assistant Police Chief and Acting Assistant Manager, Michael McDonald called Chapman a "jack of all trades," who excelled at any job he was given.

"He's a creative guy and would bring a different point of view to a brainstorming session," said his colleague. "He was good at everything he did, but I think his strong suit was in the investigative department during the early Repeat Offender Program. He put a lot of guys away."

Commander Ricky Hinkle, a friend and colleague for 20 years, adds that policing requires good people skills and Chapman was an excellent communicator.

"Part of Jimmy's strength and what I think he brought to the table were his communication skills. He could talk to people of all ethnicities, and from all economic ranges - - rich or poor," Hinkle added.

A devoted family man, he and wife Liz are grateful to medical science. Childless after twelve years of marriage the couple desperately wanted children and tried everything. But their attempt at in vitro made it worth the wait. The new parents were ecstatic when twins, Sammy and Lauren, were born in 2000. Their birth was even more memorable when the news made the front-page of the morning newspaper. The twin's were Austin's first babies of the millennium.

"The babies arrived one minute apart at 12:01 and 12:02," Chapman said proudly. "We received a proclamation from Mayor Kirk Watson and a short time after Chief Knee promoted me to assistant chief."

Asked if he would like his only son to follow in his footsteps, Chapman said, "I would rather see him become a fireman. Everyone loves fireman, they don't give tickets and they have good self-esteem. You really have to have your stuff together to become a policeman or the internal politics will kill you."

The new private sector Chapman said he would like to think that during his career he treated people fairly, with respect and that he listened. While on the 5th floor he said he tried not to get embroiled with the political environment, or lose touch with the people who do the job.

Chapman is more than optimistic about the future, is excited about his new job, adores his wife and loves hanging out with his 4-year-old twins.

So how good is it to be Jimmy Chapman right now? "It couldn't be better," he said.