Wednesday, September 5, 2001

A man of many suits
Former Fort Worth firefighter joins the TCU Police force
By James Zwilling
Staff Reporter

Jeff Tucker said he knew when he was 6 years old that he wanted to be a firefighter.

Now, after 17 years with the Fort Worth Fire Department, he said he knows he wants to be a TCU Police officer.

Tucker became one of 21 TCU Police officers Tuesday, filling a vacancy left by the departure of another officer last year.

Tucker’s retirement from the Fort Worth Fire Department and new position with the TCU Police will allow him to spend more time with his family as well as concentrate on his studies, he said.

TCU assistant Chief of Police J.C. Williams said Tucker is a perfect match for TCU.

“Jeff Tucker will be a tremendous asset to our police department.” Williams said. “He has a tremendous amount of experience.”

Williams said Tucker’s experience at emergency scenes, as well as his investigation skills from working on the Arson and Bomb Squad for the Fort Worth Fire Department, will make him a great addition to the department.

Tucker will be a patrol officer for TCU.

Tucker, who has been a certified police officer since 1984, said he had been thinking about joining the TCU Police for a couple of years and is looking forward to the career change.

“There is only so much gore and mayhem someone can take,” Tucker said.

Tucker said his training while part of the Arson and Bomb Squad has helped prepare him for his duties with the TCU Police.

“For all the hours spent learning to better serve your city, (public servants) could be a doctor or lawyer three times over,” Tucker said.

Tucker began his collegiate career at TCU in 1991, earning degrees in history and philosophy and serving as a cheerleader.

In addition to his new duties as a patrol officer, Tucker is currently a graduate student studying history and serves as the head TCU cheerleading coach. He also said he has aspirations to someday earn a doctorate degree in history.

Tucker said he hopes his experience and familiarity with the TCU campus will make him an asset to the TCU Police.

“I know what this community is about as a student and an employee and I think that will help me carry out the mission of the university,” Tucker said.

Tucker said although he is looking forward to the career change, there are many things he will miss about his career as a firefighter.

“Leaving the fire department is bittersweet,” Tucker said. “It has defined who I am for the last 17 years.”

James Zwilling
j.g.zwilling@student.tcu.edu