A Badge with Honor in Collin County
by J.B. Blocker, McKinney Courier-Gazette
Texas has 254 counties and 195 of them were represented at the 131st Texas Sheriffs Association Convention held recently in Corpus Christi.
Two sheriffs are ladies and about a third are newly elected. Five of the lawmen have served since 1985. Only five have served longer.
One sheriff does not look like the typical Texas lawman.
While many wear their Stetsons and side arms and are usually dressed in a white pressed shirt, blue jeans, and boots, this gentle and unassuming lawman dresses casually and unadorned.
Collin County Sheriff Terry Box has held his elected office since February 1985, and peers say he has served with distinction.
“Heck, I showed up in baggy shorts and a golf shirt to the convention, travel wear!” recalls the seasoned lawman. “You can spot out the new ones pretty easily.”
Normally, Sheriff Box wears dress slacks and a polo type shirt. He could more easily pass as a history teacher at the high school.
When the Sheriff took office, Collin County’s population was around 200,000. Now with the tremendous growth of Plano, Frisco, Allen, and McKinney, the count is closing in on a million. The southern border catches a bid of Carrollton, Dallas, Rockwall and Garland as well as parts of Richardson. In all, 31 cities and towns are inside the county’s border. An incredible blend of the newest urban developments and rural aspects of historic Texas can be experienced in Collin County.
FAMILY AND CAREER
Box’s Upholstery in McKinney was Terry’s fathers business. The future president of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas was born and raised in McKinney.
He first dated his wife, Rendy, as a junior in high school, and they are still dating after 40 years.
“My wife is the kindest, most caring person I know,” beams the sheriff. “I am sure she gets me more votes than I do! When she goes shopping, she ends up buying things for others as much as for herself.”
After graduating from McKinney High, he began his career as a 19-year-old dispatcher.
“When I was 21, I became a peace officer in Plano. I took the job because I just couldn’t see arresting people I grew up with and knew so well.”
But 10 years later he was lured to the sheriffs’ office with the rank of Lieutenant and was the Deputy Chief three years later.
After the death of close friend Sheriff Joe Steenbergen in 1985, Terry Box was appointed by the Commissioners Court to complete the term and has been Sheriff Terry Box ever since.
After a special election in ’86 where he faced four opponents, the Republican Party candidate has basically run unopposed ever since.
Peers say that Collin County’s sheriff has maintained an impeccable reputation that has led to special FBI training at Quantico and an appointment by Governor Bush for the Texas Commission on Jail Standards where he became the Chairman in 2000.
“Collin County is very fortunate to have a man like Terry Box as their sheriff,” claims Randall County Sheriff Joel Richardson. “When Randall County built their new county jail we decide to model it after Collin County. Theirs was one of only two jails to successfully integrate a state of the art Direct Supervision Facility. His progressive style of management and his kindness, courtesy, and respect for human rights has helped me to see a different side of law enforcement and jail operations.
“We sent our staff down to McKinney to train at their facility. He and his staff were so accommodating and all of us were grateful and impressed with the leadership and management. When I started in law enforcement, I was part of the bag ‘em and cage ‘em mentality. Now, I see my job in a more humanistic light of protecting the rights of every individual.”
The new facility takes in account that not all who are held in a county jail have been found guilty of the charges.
“The sheriffs’ senior staff views Sheriff Box as an inspiration with great ethics, and an approachable style of leadership that makes everyone strive to be a kinder, better person.” said Major Mike Anderson.
There isn’t enough space to list his resume of boards, directorship, accreditations, and community service involvement. The modest Sheriff doesn’t even list them on the county Web site as others do. Always early to work, he disdains being lazy or late but forgives others just as easily as he leads by his example.
The Sheriffs Association of Texas
Box: “This year there were over 5,000 new bills filed with the Legislators, and we went over the ones that passed and will effect our offices (all 5,000 didn’t pass). Although many were minor, they still cover the many responsibilities that county sheriffs must understand. You have to know the law to enforce it fairly.”
The more than 1,900 attendees included vendors showing all the hardware and now software that make law enforcement more efficient. DPS, US Postal Service, Secret Service, were just some of the many that made this annual event the largest gathering of law enforcement in the state.
This is a family convention. Not just the brother/sisterhood of sheriffs, but the week includes events for wives and children to help bond these officers of the law. The cultural diversity of Texas is on display!
Sheriff Box explains: “You learn as much in the hallways and at the dinner tables about how each of us performs our duties. We discuss how we succeed and even how we have failed in order make us better public servants. The training is outstanding and we find ourselves humbled by the different challenges each of us face.
“There is the huge population growth like Collin County, there is the protecting land mass with mostly rural population (some counties have less than 2000 population with a lot of open land to protect), there is the terror of the Border States, and then you add the Houston and Dallas counties to mix up the requirements to perform our jobs. It’s a great week that I always look forward to.
Box on his Border County brethren: “They live a totally different life than I do! They have to fear for their staff, their families, and even their own safety every day.
“I am always aware that I am one of the truly lucky people to have a job I love in a great county in my home town.”
SCHOLARSHIPS
For a $25 annual fee, you can become an Associate Member of the Sheriffs Association of Texas. Along with the membership card and decals, you receive the quarterly magazine with real stories of Texas Sheriffs.
You also help contribute to funds for fallen officers and to support the seven scholarships awarded every year to encourage new law enforcement officers (www.txsheriffs.org).