How a spare key unlocked career of service

TEXAS CITY, TEXAS – When a young man named Brandon Shives bought a used vehicle
nearly 12 years ago, he never imagined that it would help lead him to the moment yesterday
morning, when he was sworn-in as a captain at Texas City Police Department.
Shives is a Texas City local. He was raised in Texas City and, after graduating from Texas
City High School, began working at the City’s Lowry Fitness Center while he attended
classes at College of the Mainland. And when he decided to buy a vehicle, he purchased it
from a dealership in Texas City.
Not long afterwards, Texas City police officer Ira Fowler saw Shives driving and recognized
the vehicle as one he had traded in and still had a spare key to.
So, he pulled up to Shives’ vehicle to give him the extra key. The two began talking and
struck up a fast friendship. Officer Fowler also played basketball at the Lowry Center, and
the more he talked to Shives, the more he inspired him.
It proved to be a life-changing friendship, as Shives was inspired so much that he decided
to pursue a career in law enforcement.
He began taking criminal justice classes and attended the COM police academy while still
working at the Lowry Center. After graduating with an associate degree in Criminal Justice
and graduating from the police academy, Shives joined Team TCPD as a police officer.
His Field Training Officer as a rookie? None other than Officer Fowler.
Since joining the department, Captain Shives has served in a variety of assignments over
the years, including Patrol Officer, S.W.A.T. Operator, Field Training Officer, Criminal
Investigations Detective, Patrol Sergeant, and Patrol Lieutenant. He currently serves as the
S.W.A.T. Commander and Patrol Commander.
His love of the field of law enforcement that started all those years ago with a spare key,
basketball and friendship has only continued to grow.
Captain Shives now holds a Master Peace Officer License through the Texas Commission
on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and has completed more than 4,200 hours of advanced law
enforcement training. His training includes Tactical Operations, Crisis Intervention, Basic
Instructor Certification, ALERRT (Active Shooter Response), Crime Scene Investigation,
Supervision and Leadership, Firearms Instructor, Advanced S.W.A.T., and Executive
Protection.
In addition to his dedication and passion for continuing his professional development,
Captain Shives is also pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with an emphasis
in Leadership at East Texas A&M University.
The Texas City Police Department would like to congratulate Captain Shives and offer a
heartfelt thank you to all of TCPD’s officers, including now-retired Officer Fowler, for not
only protecting and serving the community, but also for inspiring it.