State licensing board seeks to revoke Galveston County Republican Sheriff candidate Jimmy Fullen’s law enforcement license
* Fullen remains an active law enforcement officer as the process plays out; he declared he’ll “be your next sheriff.”
The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, the state agency that manages and regulates law enforcement licensees, is recommending that Republican candidate for sheriff Jimmy Fullen have his peace officer license revoked.
Unless Fullen can reverse the decision on appeal, his lack of a license could prevent him from taking office as sheriff should he win the election in November.
Fullen is the heavy favorite to win the November election.
TCOLE's Government Relations Director Gretchen Grigsby confirmed that his ability to be a law enforcement officer is not hindered for now as his license is still active.
Greg Stevens, the executive director of TCOLE, said Fullen has “process rights by applicable statutes and administrative rules.”
Fullen said he filed an appeal after being informed of TCOLE’s decision.
That sets into motion a specific process.
First, an administrative judge reviews the recommendation and then issues a recommendation to the nine members of the TCOLE commission.
Among those commissioners is Galveston County Pct. 4 Constable Justin West, the commission’s secretary.
The board’s presiding officer is Arlington Police Chief Kim Lemaux.
Should the board rule against Fullen, he can appeal in state district court.
State law requires that the person elected to hold office as sheriff in Texas hold an active peace officer license.
Retired Galveston County Sheriff’s Sgt. Kenneth Williams is the one who filed complaints against Fullen with TCOLE
He accused Fullen of lying or omitting incidents on his personal history report that is required to be filed with TCOLE.
Williams, who informed i45NOW of the revocation recommendation soon after having a one-on-one conversation with Stevens, did not respond to a request for a statement.
He texted earlier, “Thank God I stood up, or we’d have a corrupt sheriff,” Williams wrote. “I’ve taken criticism my entire career, but it didn’t stop me from serving the people.”
Fullen said he was surprised by the recommendation to revoke his license but remains undeterred.
“So, I’m still working, campaigning, and going about my daily routine,” he said. “Based on their weak assertions, we’ll win this appeal…. but I will be your next sheriff.”
Mark Salinas, Fullen’s Democratic Opponent, said in November that he isn’t focused on Fullen’s dilemma.
“It’s an unfortunate situation, and he may lose his license,” Salinas said. “I’m still going to focus my campaign on the needs of the county.
“The citizens of Galveston County need to have and deserve a representative in office with no issues on their record that will put the county at risk. I wish Mr. Fullen all the best.”
Some dude with a vendetta against Fullen up in League City has seemed to make his lifes work smearing the man. I know the following, there are 3 sides to every story.
