84R32818 JGH-D
By: Taylor of Collin S.C.R. No. 49
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Dr. G. M. Cox is retiring as the chief of police in
Murphy on July 1, 2015, drawing to a close an outstanding career in
law enforcement that has spanned more than four decades; and
WHEREAS, After serving as a security officer in the U.S. Air
Force from 1972 to 1978, Dr. Cox received a bachelor's degree summa
cum laude in law enforcement and police science from Sam Houston
State University in 1979; he began his civilian career in 1980 as a
deputy sheriff in Montgomery County, and from 1981 to 1989, he was
the chief of police and the city administrator of Oak Ridge North;
during that time, he also earned a master's degree in criminal
justice management from SHSU; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Cox was the chief of police in Lamesa from 1989
to 1993, and then the chief of police in Corsicana from 1993 to
2008; he became Murphy's chief of police in 2008, and under his
leadership, the Murphy Police Department has attained recognized
status from the Texas Police Chiefs Association, and the community
has scored among the top 10 safest cities in Texas, according to the
crime reporting system of the FBI; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Dr. Cox has
served as an adjunct instructor in criminal justice at several
institutions of higher learning in Texas, and he is also a court
qualified mediator; in 2011, he earned a doctorate in public and
urban administration from The University of Texas at Arlington, and
his dissertation, "Crisis in Police Recruitment: Public Service
Motivation and Changes in Generational Preferences," has become a
resource for police departments across Texas; following his
retirement from the Murphy Police Department, he will become an
assistant professor and director of the graduate program in public
administration at Tarleton State University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Cox brings dedication, professionalism, and a
commitment to excellence to each of his endeavors, and he may indeed
reflect with pride on his many achievements throughout his more
than 40 years in law enforcement as he takes on new challenges and
opportunities in academia; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby congratulate Dr. G. M. Cox on his retirement as the Murphy
chief of police and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
success and happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Cox as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives and Senate.