Travis County Commissioners Court
December 30, 2008
Item 1
Number 1 is approve proclamation recognizing terry pickerring pore his many years of service to Travis County. And mr. Pickerring is here and he has brought guests. If you would all come forward and have a seat in the middle. We've got five more chairs for family members and friends, and if those of you who don't care to sit or can't find a chair, you can stand right behind them. Should I read the proclamation?
>> sure.
>> okay.
>> go right ahead.
>> one more chair. It reads: whereas to be elected into a leadership position means one has the authority, talent, wisdom and desire to serve people in a special way. Whereas on November 4, 2008, after 28 years of faithful service to Travis County, terry pickerring realized a life-long dream of being elected sheriff of bastrop county. Now, some elected officials say you may live to regret that day.
>> [laughter] not i, of course. The next phase of terry's law enforcement career begins January 1, 2009. Although this successful and distinguished accomplishment promises to be a super benefit for the citizens of bastrop, it will be a tremendous loss for us in Travis County. Whereas highlights of terry's early career include working in patrol, narcotics, organized crime and criminal investigations, after being promoted to sergeant, he was tasked with implementing a victim assistance division and establishing a mounted horse patrol program. As a lieutenant, terry was assigned to patrol in criminal investigations and was responsible for training and implementing the sheriff's office swat team. Whereas terry's career with Travis County proved to be extremely notable and illustrious with a unique distinction of being appointed by both a democratic and a republican sheriff to the administrative positions of captain first, then major. For over 12 years terry was responsible for overseeing the law enforcement bureau, its 365 employees, and a $25 million budget.
>> thanks, judge. I appreciate that.
>> [laughter]
>> whereas recognized as a highly skilled leader terry served as homeland security, joint terrorism liaison, central Texas county working group, emergency center representative and a member of management coordination team for juvenile justice. Whereas we are not sure whether it was in his youth as a scout or later during a stint in the military that terry cultivated and mastered the noble goal, to, quote be be prepared, end quote, because during periods of position vacancies terry was called upon to assume the additional responsibilities of support bureau major and chief deputy. Whereas terry is recipient of several service awards among which is a commendation for his response to an emergency plea from federal a.t.f. Agents at the mount carmel siege in waco, Texas, in 1993, we all remember that, where he led his swat officers in the evacuation of women and children from the compound during the first three days of the raid. Whereas it is widely known that much of terry's steadfast discipline is due to his humbly adhering to 22 years of honey-do -- the county judge did not write that part -- and meticulous molding by his wife laurie who is the Travis County civil service commission coordinator for sheriff's office employees. Terry and laurie are the proud parents of three children, justin, holly, and ty. Ty is here. Whereas in addition to terry's commitment to law enforcement and serving his fellow man which includes serving on the board of directors of casa of bastrop, terry has an even stronger commitment to serving god by teaching Sunday school at elgin first united methodist church and administering god's grace in its various forms. And -- we're about to get to end -- throughout his tenure with Travis County terry led by example and decided early on to treat people as if they are what they ought to be which in turn helped them become what they are capable of being. Now therefore be it resolved we the members of the Travis County Commissioners court do hereby extend special thanks to terry pickerring for his dedicated service and wish him godspeed and much success as he becomes sheriff of bastrop county, and I move approval.
>> second.
>> any other comments? We'll let terry go last. It won't be as much fun working with the county judge of bastrop county and Commissioners court as you had here in Travis County, I assure you that.
>> sounds like a younger version of Sam Biscoe.
>> we worked on the capcog together for about four or five years so he will be good to work with. No comments from family members?
>> he's also a great son-in-law.
>> [inaudible].
>> the thing about retiring is that the gifts to family members just increase in size and value. So the whole family has --.
>> terry, I am really going to miss you. You have been a great asset to Travis County.
>> well, thank you.
>> it's Travis County's loss, but definitely bastrop county's gain. Judge mcdonald, who is a fine judge over there in bastrop county, in fact, you know, they have quite a Commissioners court also. Maybe not as great as Travis County, but they do have a very, I think, progressive and aggressive Commissioners court there and I think you'll fit in very well.
>> well, thank you.
>> with that. And again, I'm always looking for new fishing territory, fishing holes. If you know of any in bastrop county, let me know. But anyway, thank you for your service and we're really going to miss you.
>> and I look forward to continuing to work with you. We will be neighbors, precinct 4 is right there close to bastrop county. And I think some of us go through bastrop county as we go to other places in Texas. And -- but good luck to you.
>> thank you very much.
>> and enjoy your public service.
>> terry, I appreciate your always being a good friend of mine and you have stepped up because I will tell you that being an elected public official is the ultimate involvement. And I know that you have worked hard towards that and very deserving of it. I mine, I think bastrop is going to be very fortunate to have you as a sheriff. Look forward to, you know, staying in touch with you, but good luck and thanks for persevering and doing what's in your heart and what, you know, will really be a benefit to bastrop. So congratulations.
>> thank you very much.
>> any questions about that inmate labor down there, call me first?
>> okay. Just don't ask me for any barbecue pits.
>> [laughter]
>> [applause]
>> we have this beautiful proclamation for you. I wanted to get you -- all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Thank you, ms. Porter. I wanted to get you a rolex watch but we know you wouldn't have accepted it so this proclamation instead.
>> thanks so much. Looking forward to working together.
>> thank you.
>> congratulations and good luck.
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 2:27 PM