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Former UPD Chief Tackett Dies

Sept. 25, 2014
SHSU Media Contact: Julia May

Charles Tackett

Funeral arrangements are pending for SHSU Police Chief Emeritus Charles W. Tackett, who died Sept. 23 following a lengthy illness.

Tackett was the chief of police at SHSU for 32 years, from Aug. 6, 1973, until his retirement on Nov. 1, 2005. He was an honor graduate of SHSU and a long-time supporter of the university.

Tackett began his law enforcement career in 1950 as a patrol officer with the Corpus Christ Police Department. During his time with the Corpus Christi PD, he achieved the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and commander. Additionally, he served in the divisions of patrol, homicide and robbery, vice/narcotics, criminal investigations, and administration.

He returned to his alma mater in 1973, assuming the position of director of the Department of Public Safety Services.

During his tenure with SHSU, Tackett was instrumental in requesting that some form of legislation be mandated that would clarify, throughout the state of Texas, the jurisdiction of university police officers. As a result, House Bill 391 was signed into law of June 17, 1987, declaring that campus law enforcement jurisdiction included: 1) all counties in which property is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise under the control of the institution of higher education or public technical institute that employs peace officers; and 2) enforcing all traffic and laws on streets and highways, as well as jurisdiction outside of their primary jurisdiction.

Tackett was recognized by the Texas State University System Board of Regents in 2000 for his 50 years of service in law enforcement, and he was honored with Senate Resolution No. 459, passed in 2004 by the 77th Texas Legislature, for his “exceptional contributions to the field of law enforcement during his illustrious career with the City of Corpus Christi and Sam Houston State University.”

In part, the resolution stated: “When Charles Tackett first came to the university, the department had no police cars, and all the officers walked foot patrols. Chief Tackett has improved the department immeasurably, making it one of the best in the country.”

The SHSU Police Department along with retired chief Dennis Culak, who worked with Tackett for many years, issued the following:

“Chief Charles Tackett was most proud of the students who came to work for the University Police Department as officers and part-time student assistants. Many of these young men and women have gone on to distinguished and successful careers in the local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Chief Tackett always kept a watchful eye and a keen interest in their careers.

“The official motto of law enforcement is ‘To Protect and Serve,’ and this is what Chief Tackett did best. He always placed the university first, and he was never too busy to assist someone who was in need.

“Many evenings, Chief Tackett could be found working late in in his office. When questioned about this, his response was always the same—‘Someone needed my help.’”

 

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