They both have a presence about them . He exudes a distinct air of authority , combined with a kind heart that shows through his blue eyes , while she ’ s lovely and gracious .
Last month , Sheriff Larry Fowler celebrated 13 years as Parker County ’ s sheriff , marking 55 years in law enforcement , yet there are no signs that he ’ s losing his momentum .
He and wife Gail are enthusiastic supporters of local charities that include Careity Foundation , Parker County Committee on Aging and just about any charity that helps children and animals in need .
The sheriff is a native of Parker County , joined the Navy at 17 , and went on to serve in the U . S . Marshal ’ s Service . Then , once he retired from the highly esteemed federal agency , he was appointed to lead the Parker County Crime Commission , and from there he became the Chief Deputy of the Parker County Sheriff ’ s Office . He worked as an investigator for the Parker County District Attorney ’ s Office before running for the office of Parker County Sheriff in 2004 . He won by a landslide .
“ Larry is as enthusiastic now as he ’ s always been …,” said his longtime friend and the former police chief of the City of Weatherford , Jerry Blaisdell . “ Sometimes the higher you get in an organization , the more you lose sight of what you joined it for in the first place . When you get into an administration that occupies so much of your time , you begin to lose that thing that made you feel good about who you were and what you were doing . That won ’ t ever happen to Larry .”
Fowler still finds satisfaction in keeping the streets of Parker County safe , solving crimes , and rounding up the bad guys . Many of Fowler ’ s peers consider him the consummate lawman , a man born to the calling of keeping law and order .
“ I worked in a lot of the major cities in the nation as a member of the special operations ,” Fowler said . “ I was part of the 71-day standoff at Wounded Knee , South Dakota , in 1972 .”
After 24 years as a U . S . Marshal working in a career that involved traveling across the globe , rounding up bad guys and , at times dodging bullets , Fowler retired from the U . S . Marshals Service and returned to his hometown of Weatherford . But , Fowler found that he wasn ’ t ready to hang up his crime-fighting spurs . He took a position heading up the Parker County Crime Commission in 1995 , then left in 1997 to become the chief deputy of the Parker County Sheriff ’ s Office . In 1999 , he moved on to work for a publicly traded company that operated privatized prisons , then joined the Parker County District Attorney ’ s Office as an investigator in 2001 . In 2004 , Fowler ran for the office of Parker County Sheriff . He won the election and , as they say , the rest is history .
One of the first issues he tackled as the new sheriff was jail overcrowding . “ My job is to catch bad guys ,” Fowler said . “ And I gotta put ‘ em somewhere .”
Once the jail was expanded , Fowler brought the idea of privatizing the jail to the county judge and eventually to the county commissioners . It ’ s Fowler ’ s strongly positive attitude that has enabled him to make such a huge difference in fighting crime in Parker County .
“ There is no doubt in my mind that he has made this county safer ,” said Russ Authier , who once served as the area ’ s Texas Ranger . After retiring , Authier became the chief deputy for the Sheriff ’ s Office . “ Larry has done more for this county than most people will ever know . A lot of people like to think that they have made a difference — well , he has . He ’ s hardworking and hard-charging . He isn ’ t here for fame or glory . He ’ s just here to get the job done .”
Parker County Justice Center renamed Sheriff Larry Fowler Law Enforcement Center
It was a surprise to the sheriff when he learned members of the Parker County Commissioners Court were going to show up for what was described as a tour of the jail one Monday in January 2017 . But , that
was OK with him . His jail is always ready for a surprise inspection .
The court took the tour , but it was really a ruse set up by Parker County Judge Mark Riley to cover the real reason that the court and elected officials were all gathered at the Sheriff ’ s Office .
When Fowler stepped out of the front doors at the request of the court , he was greeted by a crowd of deputies , county employees and elected officials holding up a banner that said , “ Sheriff Larry Fowler Law Enforcement Center .”
“ This is an honor that our great Sheriff deserves ,” Riley said .
It ’ s not easy to surprise a veteran lawman , especially not one of Fowler ’ s caliber . But he was all smiles as he thanked the court and the crowd .
“ After 50-plus years in this business , I didn ’ t think I could ever be surprised ; boy , was I fooled ,” Fowler said , following the presentation . “ I feel so honored to have been reelected as sheriff of my home county and to be here today for this unexpected event with my lovely wife by my side ; it is just a true honor and joy for me . I am blessed to have so many good people to work with here in our department , this commissioners court , these elected officials and the great relationship we have with the City of Weatherford and other communities in our county . Improving public safety is our number one goal , always has been and always will . I ’ m truly humbled by this honor .”
About Irvin
David S . Irvin , The Portrait Photographers , is a nationally recognized photographer . Irvin has photographed six presidents and a variety of celebrities , including Garth Brooks and Nolan Ryan . He has also been recognized by Kodak as one of the top 25 photographers in the United States . Irvin photographs notable families in the Fort Worth area who have ties to area businesses . To see additional photos by David S . Irvin , visit www . dsirvin . com
FEBRUARY 2018 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
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