I retired from the Air Force on May 31, 1974. For the nexr 5 years or so, I had numerous jobs; getting laid off each time due to lack of work (a bad time for the working man). In 1980 I was laid off from General Electric in Tyler, Texas. I immediately signed on with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a prison guard. I knew this was job that I would not be laid off due to lack of work. I worked there for 10 months but I got tired of living apart from my wife and children who were living in Tyler, Texas and I was working in Palestine, Texas.
I went to Tyler and immediately got a job with Smith County Sheriff's Office on May 1, 1981. I started as shift Jailor and was promoted to Shift Sergeant in 90 days. I did A good job but got disgusted with the temporary replacement Sheriff's methods so again I quit my job in 1984. Then I got a job with Trinity Mother Francis Hospital security. Kinda enjoyed it but it got pretty boring at times. The newly elected Sgeriff, his Patrol Captain and the District Attorney came to me several times and suggested I return to work at the Sheriff's Office. After 15 months at the hospital I resigned and Re-enlisted with the Sheriff's Office in 1985.
When I returned to the Sheriff's Office there was a whole new body of supervisors in place so I couldn't join them. I was given a job as Felony Transport Officer that I liked so much that I refused promotions just so I could Retain my job. I retired in 1996 but i couldn't stay away, everybodt I knew were locked up in jail so I had to go back to being a Jailor just to be around the people I knew and understood. (catch 22)
