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Echols announces retirement from MC police force
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| Missouri City Police Chief Ron Echols |
From staff reports
Missouri City Police Chief Ron Echols will begin the New Year with a fresh start.
Echols, who has served the department for 28 years, five as police chief, will retire on Jan. 16 and will begin a new position as police chief of Live Oak, a city northeast of San Antonio.
“When I leave, I know I will have retired from one of the finest police organizations in the country, and will leave behind some of the greatest men and women to ever grace the halls of the Missouri City Public Safety Headquarters,” Chief Echols, 49, said.
“Together we’ve been able to put Missouri City on the map as one of the safest cities in the state and nation. I’m honored to have been part of that effort.”
In November, under Echols’ tenure, Congressional Quarterly named Missouri City the 22nd safest in the nation in the 75,000 to 100,000 population range.
“Chief Echols has been a true asset to Missouri City, both as a police chief and as a resident,” said City Manager Frank Simpson. “He is a true professional and will be missed by all in his department, at City Hall and in the community.”
Under Echols’ leadership, the police department was reorganized to create a command staff that manages the department's divisions.
As part of Echols' also expanded the community policing program, including the creation of Missouri City’s Bike and ATV Patrols.
During his tenure, he also oversaw the development of the City’s Special Crimes Unit, which investigates gang and narcotic crimes in conjunction with the Sugar Land and Stafford police departments. Echols initiated the police department’s participation in the Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Best Practices Recognition Program, an accreditation program that salutes state law enforcement agencies with high professionalism.
He spearheaded modernization of the City’s police vehicles, changing the cars to become Fort Bend County’s first fleet of black and white patrol cars. He also changed the color of officers’ uniforms from light blue to black.
“Residents can feel safer at night because of the leadership Chief Echols has provided to Missouri City,” Mayor Allen Owen said. “It has been a true privilege to work with him and to know him. Our City is stronger because of his lifetime of public service.”
A graduate of Dulles High School, Chief Echols said he has served with the Missouri City police department since the day after he turned 21. He began his public service career as a part-time communications officer for the department in the late 70s.
“I always wanted to be a police officer,” he said.
He has served as a public safety officer, field training officer and detective and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, serving as the division commander of the patrol, administration and criminal investigation divisions before being promoted to asst. police chief in 2001. He was appointed police chief in August 2003.
A master peace officer, Echols is a graduate of the 193rd Session of the FBI National Academy and 49th Session of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development program and active in the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas.
The Missouri City police chief served as a past president of the Houston Area Police Chiefs’ Association and is a member of the association’s executive board.
He also served as the Region 14 director for the Texas Police Chiefs Association.
Echols has spent his lifetime in Missouri City, where he grew up, established his career and raised his own family. “Missouri City will always be home to me,” he said.
“Though my time with the City is concluding, my journey continues,” Echols said.
“I am excited about the prospects that lie ahead, but will truly miss the relationships and partnerships the police department has established in this fine community.”
Asst. Police Chief Pat Worrell will serve as interim Police Chief until the position is filled.
The City Manager, who is responsible for all hiring of City personnel, is reviewing recruitment options for the vacancy.
Echols, who has served the department for 28 years, five as police chief, will retire on Jan. 16 and will begin a new position as police chief of Live Oak, a city northeast of San Antonio.
“When I leave, I know I will have retired from one of the finest police organizations in the country, and will leave behind some of the greatest men and women to ever grace the halls of the Missouri City Public Safety Headquarters,” Chief Echols, 49, said.
“Together we’ve been able to put Missouri City on the map as one of the safest cities in the state and nation. I’m honored to have been part of that effort.”
In November, under Echols’ tenure, Congressional Quarterly named Missouri City the 22nd safest in the nation in the 75,000 to 100,000 population range.
“Chief Echols has been a true asset to Missouri City, both as a police chief and as a resident,” said City Manager Frank Simpson. “He is a true professional and will be missed by all in his department, at City Hall and in the community.”
Under Echols’ leadership, the police department was reorganized to create a command staff that manages the department's divisions.
As part of Echols' also expanded the community policing program, including the creation of Missouri City’s Bike and ATV Patrols.
During his tenure, he also oversaw the development of the City’s Special Crimes Unit, which investigates gang and narcotic crimes in conjunction with the Sugar Land and Stafford police departments. Echols initiated the police department’s participation in the Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Best Practices Recognition Program, an accreditation program that salutes state law enforcement agencies with high professionalism.
He spearheaded modernization of the City’s police vehicles, changing the cars to become Fort Bend County’s first fleet of black and white patrol cars. He also changed the color of officers’ uniforms from light blue to black.
“Residents can feel safer at night because of the leadership Chief Echols has provided to Missouri City,” Mayor Allen Owen said. “It has been a true privilege to work with him and to know him. Our City is stronger because of his lifetime of public service.”
A graduate of Dulles High School, Chief Echols said he has served with the Missouri City police department since the day after he turned 21. He began his public service career as a part-time communications officer for the department in the late 70s.
“I always wanted to be a police officer,” he said.
He has served as a public safety officer, field training officer and detective and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, serving as the division commander of the patrol, administration and criminal investigation divisions before being promoted to asst. police chief in 2001. He was appointed police chief in August 2003.
A master peace officer, Echols is a graduate of the 193rd Session of the FBI National Academy and 49th Session of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development program and active in the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas.
The Missouri City police chief served as a past president of the Houston Area Police Chiefs’ Association and is a member of the association’s executive board.
He also served as the Region 14 director for the Texas Police Chiefs Association.
Echols has spent his lifetime in Missouri City, where he grew up, established his career and raised his own family. “Missouri City will always be home to me,” he said.
“Though my time with the City is concluding, my journey continues,” Echols said.
“I am excited about the prospects that lie ahead, but will truly miss the relationships and partnerships the police department has established in this fine community.”
Asst. Police Chief Pat Worrell will serve as interim Police Chief until the position is filled.
The City Manager, who is responsible for all hiring of City personnel, is reviewing recruitment options for the vacancy.
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