In Memoriam: Charles Tackett

The Item (Sep. 26) remembers the former Sam Houston police chief:

Funeral arrangements are pending for former Sam Houston State University Police Chief Emeritus Charles W. Tackett, who died Tuesday [Sep. 23] following a lengthy illness.

Tackett was the chief of police at SHSU for 32 years, from Aug. 6, 1973, until his retirement on Nov. 1, 2005. He was an honor graduate of SHSU and a longtime supporter of the university.

Tackett began his law enforcement career in 1950 as a patrol officer with the Corpus Christ Police Department. During his time with the Corpus Christi PD, he achieved the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and commander. Additionally, he served in the divisions of patrol, homicide and robbery, vice/narcotics, criminal investigations, and administration.

Tackett returned to his alma mater in 1973, assuming the position of director of the Department of Public Safety Services.

Tackett was recognized by the Texas State University System Board of Regents in 2000 for his 50 years of service in law enforcement, and he was honored with Senate Resolution No. 459, passed in 2004 by the 77th Texas Legislature, for his “exceptional contributions to the field of law enforcement during his illustrious career with the City of Corpus Christi and Sam Houston State University.”