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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
CPL Randy Rhodes (1982-Present)
Baytown Police Department
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
 My Father and my Grandfather were both career peace officers. My Father retired as a Deputy Chief of the Pasadena Police Department after 26 yrs of service. My Grandfather was the Sheriff of Hardin County, Texas for eight years and continued to serve as a State Game Warden, and Deputy Sheriff in two other counties. Being around these men and observing their ability to remain calm when all others around them would be upset, and the quite dignity they exhibited, made me want to be just like them. They were and always will be my heroes.
WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
 I began as a Reserve Deputy for Liberty County at the age of 18, until I enlisted in the Army, where I served as a Military Policeman. On discharge I was hired (non-pay) by the Daisetta Police Department and attended the Lamar University Regional Police Academy. After graduation I was offered the job of Chief of Daisetta PD, but I declined and resumed service as a Reserve Deputy in Liberty County while looking for full time employment. I was hired by Baytown PD in January 1983 and worked patrol for several years, becoming a Field Training Officer and serving on the SWAT team. In 1989 I was selected for the Detective Division and worked a wide variety of assignments there until 1997, when I transferred back to Patrol. In 1999 I was asked to take a new assignment in Detectives as a Juvenile Detective assigned to the local school district truancy office. I worked there until 2006 when I was offered the assignment of Aide to the Chief in Administration where I continue to serve.
 DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY PRIOR? AND IF SO, IN WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE? IN WHAT WAYS HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
I served in the U.S. Army, Military Police Corps, from 1980 until 1982, working physical security in Germany. On discharge I enlisted in the Army Reserve, serving in a MP unit in Huntsville, Texas until 1983. In 1983 I enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, as a Port Securityman, serving at the Port Safety Station, Houston Texas until discharged in 1986. In 1991 I enlisted in the Texas State Guard as a Staff Sergeant until commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in 1993. I was promoted to Captain in 1994 and served at that rank until discharge in 1998. All of my military service has been in a law enforcement roll and has helped me in the civilian aspects of my job by instilling in me a personal discipline and a belief in teamwork. I cherished the feelings of brotherhood that the military encourages and wanted to work where that existed in civilian life. Law Enforcement was the perfect match.
WHICH, OF THE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
Having worked now 32 years in Baytown, I have to say that is where my fondest memories are. The reason will always be the people. I have worked with some real "old time" cops who took me under their wings and gave me good advise. They stood by me when I made mistakes and encouraged me to keep trying. Many of them are gone now, but never forgotten. Then there is the new breed. Some of them I helped to train. I have seen some of my rookies turn out to be fantastic Detectives and even Lieutenants. I have no doubt some of them will pin on a "Chiefs" badge before they are done, and I hope I had a hand in helping them along their way. I have been blessed to work with all of them.
 FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I worked the investigation of a triple homicide that took place on Christmas Eve in 1993 in which a father and his two children were executed by two robbers. The father had been a minor drug dealer and he was tortured before death while the children were shot in the head execution style. The total brutality of that crime wiped away much of the naive feelings I had about people. Following that was an assignment working child abuse in which I dealt with some vicious predators, who hid behind labels such as, "Doctor", "Preacher", "Officer", "Father", which really took a toll on me emotionally. While it may have taken a personal toll on me to work these cases, it is nothing compared to what the victims had to endure. Someone has to be there for them. Most often that someone is a Police Officer.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS OR BADGES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 When I started in Baytown, the only "medals" would have to come from an outside organization. The best we could get from our department was an "Attaboy" letter in our file. So, when I became the Chief's Aide I pushed for and got approved our departmental awards program, consisting of medals and ribbons covering the range from Medal of Honor to an Emergency Service Ribbon. Even our civilian employees are able to receive some of these awards and it is great to see the gratitude in their eyes when they get recognized for doing a good job. I have been awarded two Life Saving Medals which mean alot and several other medals and ribbons for different things, but they came from me just doing my job, just like everyone else. I guess the most valued was my SWAT pin. That one I had to work for and that one will always mean the most. My team members were my brothers and I have never known a better group of people.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
While I have worked with some outstanding officers in my career, I will always cite my Father and Grandfather as the most positive influence. While I did not know all that they went through, my own trials have shown me the extraordinary character they had that allowed them to do the job they did and still be the wonderful human beings they were.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR CAREER THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
There is a large bridge in our city, the Hartman Bridge, that spans the Houston Ship Channel. One day a call went out about a jumper on the bridge, so a fellow officer and myself left the station to see if we could help. When we reached the scene we saw a young lady sitting on the rail and one of our officers was doing a good job talking to her and trying to keep her calm. We had pulled up on the opposite side of where the other officers were and so the lady was looking at them and not at my partner and I. With the loud traffic noise and high wind, she had no idea we were approaching from her rear, so we took advantage and grabbed her from behind and pulled her back to the bridge surface before she knew what had happened. Instead of praise, she thought we had tried to throw her off the bridge and started cussing us for everything she was worth. We could not help but laugh because even if she hated us, everyone was going home that night and so everything was good.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
Stay human. You are not Superman and you are never going to save the world. You may however make a positive influence in someone elses life and you may be blessed with the opportunity to save a life. Do the best you can for those that you can help but keep your family first.
HOW HAS SERVING AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT?
Since childhood I had been a shy introvert, which seems strange that I could make a career in public service. It has given me the confidence to stand up and make a difference, but it also has made me cautious in dealing with others outside the "brotherhood". Outside of the job I devote my time to my family, my love of the outdoors, and my love of the Lord God. Nothing else matters.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
 The badge is an emblem of trust, given upon an oath of service to your fellow man. It is not for your own gratification, ego, or enjoyment. If you can not honor the badge and what it stands for with your actions, never put it on.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
It allows me to reach out to my Fellow Law Enforcement Officers. We can talk about old times while in School and on the different departments we served with, We can also discuss strategies and network polices and procedures.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who currently serve, or who previously served as a US Police or Federal Officer, and conveys how serving their Country and Community has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like your story to be featured in a future edition of Voices, or know someone else who may be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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