Former NRH police chief arrested

08:51 PM CST on Wednesday, January 12, 2005

By DEBRA DENNIS / The Dallas Morning News

Thomas Shockley, North Richland Hills' former police chief, has a long resume in law enforcement that many in his field would envy.

A year after joining the department in 1972, he was named officer of the year. He earned several more commendations, including supervisor of the year in 1985.

But on Wednesday, a week after he resigned as police chief, his track record got an unwelcome notch: The veteran police official was arrested and jailed on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Mr. Shockley, 54, was driving his Lincoln LS sedan early Wednesday when he struck a Ford F-150 pickup from behind at Davis Boulevard and Rumfield Road, said Sgt. Ken Bounds, spokesman for the Police Department.

This is not the North Richland Hills resident's first embarrassing incident.

Mr. Shockley was suspended for three days without pay after being pulled over last month in North Richland Hills by one of his officers for driving erratically. However, he was not arrested, and an officer escorted him to the police station.

Mr. Shockley, who underwent back surgery in December, told city officials he had taken prescription drugs that may have impaired his driving.

On Wednesday, Mr. Shockley was arrested after failing a field sobriety test, officials said. After being in jail for four hours, he was released on a $500 bond posted by his attorney, Don Carter.

Mr. Carter said he hadn't discussed the incident with his client, who could not be reached for comment.

"I plan on meeting with him over the next few days," Mr. Carter said. "I do understand that he has some pain problems and that he takes medication for that, and this may or may not have been a factor."

Officials expect to file a case with the Tarrant County district attorney's office.

"We will process this just like any other DWI offense," Sgt. Bounds said.

Police said the accident was minor and resulted in no injuries.

The pickup driver, Jason O'Brien, 32, of Fort Worth, called police after the accident. He declined requests for interviews.

A drug recognition expert from the Euless Police Department is assisting North Richland Hills in the investigation.

"We want to avoid even the appearance of impropriety," Sgt. Bounds said. "It's an outside, objective individual assisting us."

Mr. Shockley's arrest shocked and disappointed city officials.

"I was devastated," said City Council member Nancy Bielik. "Had this been the second arrest instead of the first, he could have been in horrible trouble."

She said the incident damages the city's image and dampens morale among employees.

"The officers who had to arrest him, they were his employees," Ms. Bielik said. "They are police officers who care about their jobs and their city and they cared for him. Now, they've had to handcuff him and take him to jail. That's not fair to them."

Mayor Oscar Trevino said he hopes the city and Mr. Shockley can move forward.

"He's the former police chief, but he is a private citizen," Mr. Trevino said. "Police did what they were supposed to do. The whole thing is a shame. He's had such a great career. He's done so much. But we are not living in his shoes."

Mr. Shockley has had two employment stints with the North Richland Hills police. He served four years with the department before joining Grapevine police. He left law enforcement in 1980 to work in the private sector before returning to North Richland Hills in 1982.

Mr. Shockley, who became chief in 1998, resigned his $105,000 a year position Jan. 5.

E-mail debdennis@dallasnews.com

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