Published: December 06, 2007 07:49 pm         

Looking Back: The Badge

Police department celebrates 50 years in Royse City

By RCPD Chief Tom Shelton

Special to the Herald-Banner



The area of present day Royse City was settled in 1885 and incorporated as a town in 1891. In 1902 the incorporation as a town was voted out but reinstated itself in 1906. Law enforcement for the town was served by the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office. Royse City did have a night watchman to check on businesses at night.

The Royse City Police Department was formed (at least temporarily) 50 years ago in November of 1957.

Henry Lee Douglas was appointed as chief for the brief time period of November and December of 1957. His duties included patrolling the dump grounds, city streets and arresting violators for disturbing the peace and rowdyism. His pay was $140 a month. Shortly after his two month term, the Rockwall Sheriff’s Office took over law enforcement duties for Royse City. This lasted from 1958 to 1968.

According to Royse City City Council documents, in August 1968, Clarence Wayne Tadlock, was hired as a city policeman and the police department was reinstated. He worked for $350 a month and drove his own car. The school district voted to pay the city policeman $25 a month to also act as a truant officer.

He later became chief and in December 1970 made $500 a month. He had a night watchman under his command.

The following succession of chiefs for Royse City was taken from Royse City archives:

June 15, 1972- Oct. 1977, Chief Luther Davis. (In 1974 the big crackdown was on 8- and 9-year old drivers on city streets.)

Nov. 9, 1977-July 1, 1979, Police Chief Bill Price $850 month.

July 1, 1979-Aug. 1980, Chief Robert Lawson, $1,000 month, still had night watchman.

Oct. 1980-June 1983, Chief Ray Elliott gained one officer and supervised a night watchman.

June 1983-May 29, 1985, Chief Jimmy Jackson with two officers made it a three man department in 1984.

July 16, 1985-September 1986, Chief Allen Hogue

September 1986-1988, Chief Garry Jordan. There were six officers, four reserves, and the department started a reserve police academy with 25 students, 160 hours of training. His title was later, director of public safety, (included building inspection, fire marshal). Sergeant Gary Sawyer was promoted to captain.

June 1988-Dec. 1988, Gary Sawyer became interim chief (he remained as a supervisor and resigned from department on July 8, 1989 under Chief Wilson’s tenure.)

December 1988- April 18, 1991, Chief Walter Glen Wilson, $25,000 salary.

The longest reigning chief was Chief Dana Thomasson who served almost 13 years from June 1991- March 2004. There were eight officer positions when he left the department.

July 7, 2004-current. Chief Tom Shelton.

The Royse City Police Department has come a long way in the past 50 years. As the town population has exploded into a city, new standards for selecting, training and retaining officers were implemented. From a one man department 50 years ago, the department today serves almost 11,000 residents and instructs law enforcement internationally.

Next week: Royse City Police Department today.