Tomball Police Department Sergeant Gary Hammond retired on May 18, 2018 with 20 years of service to Tomball Police Department and 32 years of protecting and serving the citizens of the State of Texas.
Gary began his law enforcement career is Weslaco as a patrol officer after graduating from the Police Academy in 1986. His career at Weslaco was short but the knowledge and experience gained was abundant. In 1987 he transferred to the Limestone Sheriff’s Department in Groesbeck, Texas where he was a patrol officer as well as K9 handler. Gary was among the first officer class for the D.A.R.E. program taught by the LAPD and was instrumental in the implementation of the program within the community. He remained at Limestone until 1996 where he then transferred to another local police department in Marlin, Texas to be an investigator.
In 1997, Gary and his family relocated to Tomball where he joined the Tomball Police Department as a patrol officer working with many individuals that proved to not only be great friends but true role models. Although he did attempt to try another career path he quickly realized his dedication and love for the job and returned to Tomball PD. He advanced to the rank of Sergeant and served in the Investigation Division as well working narcotics for a number of years until his retirement this past month.
Gary’s passion for the job came from the knowledge that he was truly helping to make the world a better place and he felt that if he had only helped one person, then his work had been completed. However the number of individuals that he actually helped and made a difference for was far from just one. Following retirement, Gary will be over security at Concordia Lutheran High School as well as joining the coaching staff to continue with his passion of helping others but in a different capacity – he will be coaching baseball and helping to shape the minds of the younger generation.
Tomball Police Chief Billy Tidwell offered these words in regards to Sergeant Hammond’s retirement: “Gary Hammond’s retirement from the Tomball Police Department will be a great loss to the department and to this community. The experience and the knowledge that he takes with him is irreplaceable. He has spent years developing relationships inside and outside the department that have allowed him to help solve an untold number of problems for people, and do it with the humility and compassion that has earned him lifelong friends. We can replace his position, we cannot replace him. I wish him well in his new endeavors, he has earned them.”
Former Police Chief and current City Manager for the City of Tomball offered these words in regards to Sergeant Hammond’s retirement:
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Gary during the past 10 years, as both Police Chief and City Manager. During that time, I have come to know him as someone I could always count on to complete any task given to him regardless of the complexity or sensitivity.
Gary is a great investigator, who has been incredibly successful due to his ability to build relationships with community members, city staff, and those from outside law enforcement agencies. Throughout his career, Gary has led many significant investigations ranging from theft to murder, and thanks to his tireless work, our community is a safer place to live, work, and visit.
Selfishly, I hate to see Gary go, but this is a well-deserved retirement, and I wish him all the best!
