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February 05, 2004

Dear TMPA,

In today’s society a police officer must have selected skills and assets to effectively perform his job. The Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA) provides an asset each officer should have readily available at any moment. Moreover, TMPA provides this asset at a very reasonable cost. That essential asset-an effective attorney.

A police officer will find that the greatest threat to his career is not the criminal, but the administration for which he works. TMPA’s Legal Plan provides attorneys that will represent him when the administration brings about unjust actions toward the police officer.

I am a police officer with the City of Killeen with twenty-three years service in the department. During my tenure I have been awarded the Police Office r Hall of Fame Silver Star for Bravery and the Killeen Police Department Medal of Honor for firing the shot that is credited with ending the Luby’s Massacre that occurred on October16, 1991 in Killeen , TX .

I recently had an occasion to use the TMPA’s Legal Plan in reference to a two-day suspension for being rude and discourteous. I selected TMPA’s contractual attorney, R. John Cullar (pronounced color) of Mills, Millar, and Cullar, LLP in Waco , TX . Mr. Cullar prepared the appeal for the suspension and requested a third party hearing arbitrator to examine the case.

The City of Killeen upon learning R. John Cullar was going to represent me hired an outside attorney to defend its interest during the arbitration process. Apparently, the City of Killeen in past dealings with Mr. Cullar felt uneasy relying on their own city staff. . . .

Despite having received requested documents from the City of Killeen just one day before the arbitration hearing date, Mr. Cullar was able to prepare a totally remarkable case. During the hearing Mr. Cullar was able to prove that the 911 tape the police department had relied on was altered. The police department was unable to provide an exact duplicate of the complete 911 tape stating the recording device used to copy the tape had malfunctioned and prevented them from doing so. Mr. Cullar also demonstrated the Killeen Police Department Chief of Police, Robert L Jackson, Jr., had no knowledge of written sworn statements submitted by five Killeen Fire Department personnel who had been on scene and reported they noticed no rude or discourteous actions during the alleged incident in which I was accused to have been rude and discourteous. Having learned of the fire department personnel statements, Chief Jackson testified had he known about their statements he would have discounted them specifying firemen would cover for police officers. . . .

Hearing arbitrators are notorious for “splitting the baby” and rarely decide completely for either side during a hearing. On October 30, 2003 Mr. Cullar received the arbitrator’s ruling contained within a twenty-one-page document. Upon receipt and review of that document Mr. Cullar called me with the arbitrator’s decision: WE WON! The arbitrator ruled I was to receive all wages lost during the two-day suspension and the City of Killeen was ordered to remove ALL references to the suspension from all records.

During my twenty-three years of police service I can honestly and boldly affirm this was not the first instance in which I have had to rely on Mr. Cullar’s expertise. He has represented me during a termination and one-year suspension. On each occasion I have through his representation and his ability to portray the totality of the issues been successful in overcoming the Killeen Police Department’s and the City of Killeen’s unjust actions toward me. Mr. Cullar will give personal service and the officer will have the knowledge and comfort that Mr. Cullar will handle his case and not leave the case to a legal assistant. Mr. Cullar has never made me feel he is too busy to deal with my case. He is the ‘Perry Mason’ of Central Texas .

Using the TMPA Legal Plan was effortless. A call to the office was all that was required and I was provided with a case number to provide to Mr. Cullar. There were no forms to fill out, no extensive interview-just a complete feeling of we are here to help you. As presented in the TMPA Legal Plan I had no out-of-pocket expenses. The plan covered all my legal fees including my share of the hearing arbitration cost.

The TMPA Legal Plan is a MUST for every police officer working in today’s law enforcement environment.

I feel I am extremely lucky to have TMPA and John Cullar in my defense!

Note: Robert L Jackson, Jr. is no longer Killeen Police Department’s Chief of Police. He suddenly and unexpectedly resigned submitting a handwritten letter of resignation effective the next date indicating he wanted to pursue other interests.

Respectfully,