GALVESTON, Texas – Republican candidate for the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, Jimmy Fullen, is now in the middle of an investigation involving the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, also known as TCOLE.
Fullen is accused of not being truthful about his work history statements at previous law enforcement jobs he has had.
Fullen recently won the Republican Primary in March. He has been considered a front runner in the election and is endorsed by many local leaders including State Senator Mayes Middleton and Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
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KPRC 2 spoke with Kenneth Williams who is a retired Galveston County Sheriff Deputy. He filed a complaint with TCOLE after receiving public records requests about Fullen’s work history statements.
“A lot of people are interested in this a lot of these citizens are upset,” Williams said.
He said two of those work history statements involve Galveston County Constable Precinct Two and Texas City Police Department.
According to Williams, Fullen was not truthful on two of his work history statements with Galveston County Constable Precinct 2 and the Texas City Police Department.
“There was a personal history statement that he completed that he completed in October 2023, and then one that he completed in, January of 2024. And I found 19 omissions and or lies on one of them and 20 on the other,” Williams said.
Williams’s complaint ultimately launched TCOLE’s investigation. KPRC 2 obtained the document showing TCOLE’s executive director’s petition recommending revoking Fullen’s license. It shows Fullen is accused of leaving out several discipline actions against him on his work history statements. Those include two previous arrests, being accused of discrimination, and being fired or asked to resign.
If Fullen’s peace officer license is revoked, Williams said it could end his law enforcement career.
“He will never be a police officer again. He shouldn’t be a police officer again. You cannot falsify government documents. If he falsified those government documents, will he falsify report on you?” Willaims said.
Fullen sent KPRC 2 a statement about the investigation saying, “We have filed a response with TCOLE and intend to contest the allegations.”
Fullen’s peace officer license is still active. This means he can still work as a peace officer and potentially become sheriff until the investigation proves otherwise. Fullen is seeking a hearing before the state office of administrative hearings.
A SOHA judge will then issue a recommendation to TCOLE and the commission will vote on whether his license should be revoked. He can even appeal that ruling in state district court. A date has not been set for that hearing.
KPRC 2 received a statement from Fullen’s opposing candidate, Democrat Mark Salinas. He said Galveston County needs a representative in office that does not have issues with his license that could put the county at risk or liability. He said no one is above the law and wishes Fullen well.
Fullen and Salinas are up for election in November. The winner will replace current sheriff, Henry Trochesset, who is retiring.