Community honors Marble Falls PD chief in retirement

From agency representatives throughout the region to long-time civil servants, about 200 people joined the friends and loved ones of Marble Falls Police Chief Mark Whitacre for his retirement event June 25 at Lakeside Pavilion.

They were there to honor Whitacre’s full 41-year service in law enforcement with nearly 36 years at Marble Falls Police Department. His legacy includes enhancing the agency’s staffing, facilities, resources and community policing campaign.

“The hardest part of retirement is not having that day-to-day contact, but you know I’m a phone call away,” Whitacre expressed to the audience. “The men and women of the Marble Falls Police Department – I’ve had the privilege and the honor of working for, working with and leading a number of years.

“Together, we have developed an agency that is truly effective throughout all of central Texas. We talk about the comradery, the mentorships.”

When Whitacre joined the department, there were nine staff members at the agency. Now, there are at least two dozen. Nearly 28 years after his recommendations for a new police station, his goal of a newly-built facility, located at 606 Avenue N, came to fruition.

He was also a proponent of the agency, hosting National Night Out to public town hall meetings in order to connect with the community.

Whitacre offered encouragement and support to the incoming appointed new police chief, Glenn Hanson, set to take over the helm June 29.

“Glenn, congratulations on your appointment to chief. You’ll do great,” Whitacre said. “We’ve had a number of chats over the year over different things.

“You have a great grasp. You will take Marble Falls much higher.”

Among some of the individuals associated with the agency and the city of Marble Falls he thanked were administrative assistant Amanda Langley for her ability to organize and assist with the execution of priorities. “You got to keep them all straight,” he mused.

He also thanked city attorney Patty Akers for her legal advice and role as confidant.

Other agency representatives in attendance in which he offered gratitude were the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, Horseshoe Bay Police Department including Chief Rocky Wardlow, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, DPS, Marble Falls Fire Rescue including Fire Chief Russell Sander and Marble Falls Area EMS including long-time director Johnny Campbell.

“It’s not just my brothers and sisters in blue, but brothers and sisters in fire service and emergency services,” Whitacre said. “We, as a whole, are a family.”

In his signature self-deprecating tone, he apologized to colleagues and project team members for appearing to be a “stoic, intimidating individual” at times.

“When things go bad or awry. People may be jumping up and down and wondering what do we do, where do we go. Turn around and look at me and say, ‘How can you be so calm?’ Whitacre said.

“It’s just a thing. We have to deal with it.”

Whitacre revealed to the audience that he and his wife of 35 years, Bonnie, will retire and plan to spend more time with their three adult sons and their families, including six grandchildren. He referenced his son Jeffrey and his family as well as his nephew Shawn and his family who attended the event.

During the event, his son Jeffrey offered heartfelt, private moments about what it was like growing up, mending fences, working the land and sharing time with his father, whom he saw as a bigger than life hero.

Whitacre’s own words about family resonated with the audience during an emotional moment.

“Everyone of you have had an impact on me, my career, my family’s life, my family’s career. For that I thank you so much,” Whitacre said. “But utmost, I give all the glory to God. Without His love, my blessings would not be what they are today.

“My wife, thank you for all of your love and dedication in helping hold me up all these years,” he said. “You’ve been my rock and continue to be my rock. I love you very much. It’s time to pay back all those times that I missed.”

To his family, he added, “Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to do what I did for a number of years.”

Also, in attendance were the Howe family with whom the department adopted after the young son’s father died in a motorcycle accident on his way to work at the PD.

Assistant City Manager Caleb Kraenzel presented the chief with a civic duty award for his service to the municipality; City Attorney Patty Akers, who he thanked for her advice and friendship, was also in the audience.

State Sen. Terry Wilson presented Whitacre with an American flag which he then took back temporarily to be flown over the state Capitol before returning it to the retiring chief.

Whitacre also offered perspective on experiences and people who influenced his career and life journey.

“I have the high school I went to in San Antonio. My dad retired from there, then we moved here. I graduated from Marble Falls High School, and proudly so, in 1974,” he said. “There are folks here, who I graduated high school with who mean a lot to me. I have college friends here.”

He referenced a long-time mentor, fellow policeman with whom he served in his first job at Harlingen Police Department who is now a retired Houston peace officer.

Prior to the event, a number of attendees offered their own personal and professional insight to The Highlander about the impact Whitacre – best known for leading by example with emphasis on performance, results and integrity – has had in the community.

Former long-time Mayor Griff Morris explained that one of the first things he did as a newly-elected member of the city council was to approve Whitacre as police chief in 1991.

“He’s been a great chief,” he said. “Mark’s philosophy has always been to listen to anyone who has an issue with the PD.

“He always paid attention to the input – both from the public and the officers,” he added. “He’s been honest and fair.”

Wilson said, “With Chief Whitacre it’s just easy – servant to the people. When you look at 41 years of total service, 35 in this community alone.

“He was so good we weren’t going to let him go,” he added. “He loves us and we love him.”

Pastor Ross Chandler added, “Mark never made anything about himself, which is a characteristic of a Christian – to be humble, to think of other people, rather than yourself.

“Greater love hath no man than who gives up his life for other people,” he added. “That’s what Christ taught us. Nothing was about his ego. That humbleness was compelling.”

Pounds said, “He’s been a father figure and a mentor for me. He’s been awesome as a leader. He’s a voice of reason.”

Long-time retired county judge Mark McLean expressed that Whitacre is an example of the best of the community.

“Chief Whitacre is a very professional police officer. He’s a hometown boy. He’s leaving a very professional department,” McLean said. “He should proud of them, and Marble Falls should be very proud of our police department. I wish him well.”

Whitacre’s career

• June 1980 to August 1981 – Harlingen Police Department as a patrolman;

• September 1981 to November 1985 – Burnet County Texas Sheriff’s Department as a deputy and investigator;

• December 1985 to Present – Marble Falls Texas Police Department serving as Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief and Chief. He was appointed chief of police on October 4, 1991.

While serving at MFPD:

• 1981-85 – Participated on the board of the Greater Austin Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) team, encompassing 10 counties;

• 1992 – Developed the 33rd Judicial District NET team which concentrated on five rural counties – encompassing Burnet, Llano, San Saba, Blanco and Mason – as part of the Texas Narcotics Control Program to develop drug interdiction task forces;

• 1997 – Assisted in the development of and became project manager for the Cover Operations Response team, as a support task force for state and federal law enforcement. His awards over the years included: His awards over the years included:

• 1987 – Sheriff Wallace Riddell Memorial Award.

• 1990 – Marble Falls Police Department “Officer of the Year” Award.

• 1998 – Central Texas Crime Prevention Association “Crime Prevention Manager of the Year” Award.

• 2010 – Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award. Whitacre’s other affiliations included:

• Member of the Texas Police Chief’s Association (TPCA)

• Member of the National Police Chief’s Association (NPCA)

• Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

• Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) where he served as a Law Enforcement Education Committee member since 1998 and on the Homeland Security Task Force Committee.