I often get asked about why I became a police officer and specifically why the Department of Public Safety as a trooper and ultimately a Texas Ranger.
There are several stories that helped shape my decision on whether to become a police officer. As many of you know, I initially went to college to teach and coach with no intentions on becoming a police officer. I coached for several years at the collegiate level and loved most aspects of it. However, something was missing.
I recall as a youngster, traveling to see our family who lived in the Midwest, we broke down on the side of the road. My mom, dad, and my brothers were stranded on the side of the road in rural Missouri. This was before the days of cellular telephones.
When we broke down, we used our feet and thumb to find help. Hopefully someone would stop and render aide and give you ride. We had not been on the side of the road very long, when a Missouri Highway patrolman stopped by our location and asked if we needed help. We figured the trooper would give my dad a ride into town to find a wrecker service and we would remain behind and wait for his return.
However, this trooper loaded all of us in his cruiser. I remember the cruiser as a brown police car with a large red bubble light mounted on the roof of the vehicle. My dad and I sat up front with the trooper as my mom and two brothers sat in the back seat.
I recall the radar unit sitting on the dash was huge. I sat in the middle between the trooper and my dad. The trooper was kind, answered our questions, and gave us a ride into town. A Godsend for sure.
I believe this single act of kindness planted the seed of me wanting to be a trooper. I was impressed with his uniform, his demeanor, and all the fun gadgets in the old police car. As a result, many years later, I became a Texas State Trooper and ultimately a Sergeant with the Texas Rangers.
I know many of you may have bad police stories and have had bad experiences with the police. However, I assure you most of us have servant hearts and want to make a difference.
Since my arrival in Trinity, I have strived to build a relationship with you and with the citizens of Trinity, while providing quality law enforcement. I have an open-door policy. If you need something or have concerns, come see me.
Call us if you need us.
Steven Jeter is Chief of Police in Trinity.
