Texas Now Magazine June 2015 | Page 8

A police officer takes on a great deal of responsibility. At times they must go where others fear and engage in a life or death struggle with a suspect. alizing the money being paid for refinery work, quit school and began working full time. For 11 years he worked for companies like Brown & Root and H.B. Zachery and although the pay was high there was something missing. In 1990 he left the refineries and started on the path of becoming a policeman. He began working part-time as a jailer in Beeville. He also taught a course through his church on teaching people how to get out of debt. He applied for and was accepted to the Police Academy in Corpus Christi, while working two jobs in order to support his young family. Eli was no stranger to hard work and helping others in his community. The son of a preacher, he followed his father’s example in service to others. A humble and modest man, Eli’s father served his God, his family and his community throughout his life. His father always helped others never expecting something in return. 8 ✯ For 10 years Eli served the Beeville community through his job in the Bee County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy. He took part in patrols as well as investigations. In July of 2002, Eli had the opportunity to come to Aransas County. He moved his family to Rockport where he signed on with the Rockport Police Department. After four years on the force he contracted with the Rockport-Fulton School District to serve as security on a part-time basis. This he did in addition to his full-time status with the RPD. Being on patrol Eli was exposed to the community and each day was different than the last. “You never know what your day will be like”, he told me and shared a texas now & THE ARTS TAGE, EVENTS, HERI His son, Eli, continues his father’s legacy. Get Your History On At TexasNOWmag.com