Part 1 of a 6 part series-The Beginning

 

I was born in Sugar Land, Texas, however I moved to La Porte at a very young age so my father could pursue his occupation as a painter. Life was not easy as I grew up, often without food and certainly without any frills in life. To illustrate how poor we

were, in the warmer months I didn’t wear shoes to school until the ninth grade along with my holey jeans, little did I know back then holey jeans would be such a hit in later times. I was always working at some odd job by the time I was 10 years old, so I

managed to stay busy and clear of the law; I was a nondrinker and nonsmoker. By the time I was 16, I worked more than I went to school; I was ready to quit school and leave home but the military wouldn’t take me until I was 17 so I had to wait.Twenty six days after I turned 17 I paid my father what little money I had to sign a release so I could join the US Air Force. I was off to beginning my adult life in a low rate Hotel in downtown Houston; waiting for morning and my transportation to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Little did I know at the time how much the military and its training would affect and shape my life, especially since I was still a kid and had a lot of growing up to do.

 

To be continued in Part #2: Life in the US Air Force.

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Getting to know your Sheriff Candidate Maurice Cook

Part 2 of a 6 part series-Life in the US Air Force

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At Lackland Air Force Base, we were issued our uniforms and I entered basic training as a US Air Force Airman ready to march forward and defend our country, anticipating the training I still had to complete. Most of the recruits were a year or so older than I was, but somehow during phase one I was appointed as one of the 4 flight leaders to head one of the 4 marching columns. During phase two I was appointed as the latrine chief; the first chief’s position I held, I’m still not sure if the Chief’s position was prestigious or not. Then I received my first of 3 stripes I was to earn during my time in the Air Force as I was sent to Laredo AFB as an Air Policeman; a position I could have only dreamed about. I was trained on how to be a military policeman and how to shoot a pistol. I won the Air Police Pistol Completion Match, which was actually the first time I had ever shot a pistol. This led to my assignment on the base pistol team. I didn’t drink, smoke, chew tobacco or drink coffee, because I always worried those vices might compromise my aim and my ability to shoot straight.

I was fervently learning what it meant to be an adult, especially when I received orders that I was being sent to Viet-Nam. I was only 19 when I served in Viet Nam with a naivety, and oblivious to any dangers. I served my tour of duty at Bien Hoa Air Base. After my year was up I returned to Laredo Air Force Base for 9 months before returning to civilian life. I had a good life in the Air Force as it created a sense of family, so I was not looking forward to the fear of civilian life.

Based on my personal experience I would recommend the military to any young man or woman who lacked direction or focus, once they graduated from high school. I will stress the call to graduate first. Don’t give up on your education, I spent years continuing education from my GED after joining the Air Force till later receiving my Doctorate Degree. I followed a harder path based on my family circumstances but always regretted not finishing high school.

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To be continued in Part #3: Beginning Life as a Civilian Policeman.

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Getting to know your Sheriff Candidate Maurice Cook

Part 3 of a 6 part series- Beginning Life as a Civilian Policeman

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Once I returned to my home town I had nowhere to go without any parental support. I moved in with my brother Bill and his wife Linda for a month or so before going to work at my first police job in Clute, Texas as a patrolman. As part of the job I had to furnish my own pistol and all of my equipment with the exception of a badge. I was lucky I had some police experience in the military, because the officer that broke me in had only been on the force 3 months and had no training except being a Rainbow Bread salesman. I knew immediately I wanted more out of life than being an untrained police officer. As soon as I had the chance I pursued and obtained a job in a larger department which was in Angleton, Texas. There I received 40 hours of police training, which I thought taught me all I needed to know about police work; what a wrong assumption that turned out to be. I continued longing for growth, training and advancement.

Before applying to the police department in Clute, I had applied for the Texas City Police Department, but didn’t make the grade. I liked my job in Angleton, but one day I was speaking with a Sheriff’s Captain that was older and wiser with lots of experience. He asked me about my goals in law enforcement. I didn’t really have a set goal but mentioned I had applied for Texas City and had been turned down. The Captain knew I was getting married in a few weeks so he told me to go back to Texas City and update my application as married, because the Chief there didn’t hire single men. I did and 2 weeks later I was a Texas City Police Officer.

Now I knew I had reached a pivotal point in my law enforcement career. However, when another officer on the force was accepted to the Department of Public Safety I decided to give it a try. My lack of education continued to plague me and I made the lowest score possible on the written exam. Yet, somehow I was still accepted to attend the DPS Academy in Austin, and now I was moving in a direction that was really beyond my wildest expectations in life.

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To be continued in Part #4: Joining the DPS Family.