March 1, 2002

Dear TMPA:

Thanks for your help. I have been a member of TMPA for fifteen yeas. As is the case anytime you work in Law Enforcement or corrections, as I do know, you run into those special people that just can't leave you alone to save their lives and from time to time you need the help of a lawyer. Because of low pay anytime you work in this field you never have the extra cash when you need it the most to sometimes save your job. I can't tell you enough how glad I am when I run into those special people who do their best to put you on the unemployment line that I can reach for the phone and call TMPA and say, 'Hey I have a problem. Can you help me?' I have never been turned down. I have direct deposit with TMPA so I never see it or miss it, just glad to have it when I need it the most. I hope everyone in Law Enforcement and corrections sign on with TMPA. I encourage everyone who goes to work for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division to join TMPA.

When I was a Police Officer in Aransas Pass Police Department I belonged to CLEAT and found out real fast they cant do anything for you, just a lot of hot air and you use those lawyers who couldn't get their grandmother off a curb. I went to work for Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 1992 and joined the union for two months. I asked to talk to a lawyer and they looked t me real funny and said they didn't have any. I called TMPA up and asked to rejoin and was told yes. And have been a member ever since. I have read all kind of stories in TMPA magazine and never thought that one day I would be writing to say how good it is to be a member, but life with TDCJ will make a grateful member out of you real fast. I now have 12 years with TDCJ and have had my problems with them. I had to go to Federal Court back in 1998 over TDCJ ID. I filed an EEOC complaint and got a letter to sue and I did. My attorney called TMPA to ask for money to help and to my surprise was sent a check for $5000.00.

Then on 02-06-02 I was sent to disciplinary for insubordination.  I called TMPA and was assigned an attorney. She called the warden several times to be present at my disciplinary. It scared the warden so bad he threw the disciplinary in the trash can to keep from meeting with the attorney sent by TMPA. 

Let me tell you one and all, if you work in Law Enforcement or corrections, if you are not a TMPA member you should be if you care about staying employed when you run into those special people.