HR207 - Congratulating Elwood "Woody" Mitchell on his retirement from the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

      H.R. No. 207       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Elwood Mitchell retired as captain investigator for   the Harris County District Attorney's Office on December 27, 2024,   drawing to a close an exemplary career in law enforcement that   spanned more than four decades; and          WHEREAS, In 2017, Woody Mitchell joined the Harris County   Attorney's Office as a chief investigator, and four years later, he   was appointed to captain investigator with the DA's office; his   duties included overseeing the planning, forecasting, and   strategic direction of the Investigative Bureau; a licensed master   peace officer and law enforcement instructor, he supervised a team   of investigators, providing leadership across multiple specialized   divisions such as the Civil Rights and Public Corruption Division,   Digital Forensics Division, and Fugitive Apprehension Unit; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Mitchell spent his entire 41-year career in law   enforcement with Harris County, beginning as a deputy with the   Precinct 5 Constable's Office in 1983; two years later, he joined   the Harris County Sheriff's Office, working as a jailer and deputy   until 1997; he then accepted an investigator position with the   county attorney's office and was assigned to the Children's   Protective Division at the Texas Department of Family and   Protective Services and the Harris County Hospital District; and          WHEREAS, In 2001, Mr. Mitchell was appointed assistant chief   with the Precinct 4 Constable's Office; in that role, he was   responsible for supervising patrol operations for the jurisdiction   as well as overseeing 130 subdivision contract programs and school   police programs with the Cypress-Fairbanks and Tomball Independent   School Districts; he was also assigned to oversee the Civil, Writs,   and Warrant Divisions of the department with responsibility over   investigations in the High-Tech Crime Unit, Domestic Violence Unit,   and Game Room Task Force; moreover, he was directly involved in   leading-edge components of computer forensic technology in law   enforcement and had personnel assigned to the FBI's Greater Houston   Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory; and          WHEREAS, During his 14-year tenure as assistant chief,   Mr. Mitchell served with distinction and was recognized for his   leadership and strong relationship with subordinates and staff; his   thoroughness and attention to detail, though sometimes taken to   excess, was recognized as a valuable asset to the department; he   commanded a large contingent of the largest constable's office in   Texas and worked honestly to maintain the harmony and respect of   those under him; regardless of the challenges confronting him, he   maintained his focus on the safety and well-being of his personnel   and the public he was committed to serve; following his tenure with   the department, he served as a major with the Harris County   Sheriff's Office for two years, and, as a member of its Criminal   Investigations Bureau, he was responsible for the integrity of the   office's investigative operations; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Mitchell attended Sam Houston State University,   majoring in criminal justice, and is a graduate of the Texas   Constables Leadership Command College and Texas Constables   Leadership Institute programs of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement   Management Institute of Texas; he successfully completed the FBI   Law Enforcement Executive Development Series, and he is also a   graduate of the Leadership North Houston program of the Houston   Northwest Chamber of Commerce, where he served as a member of the   board of directors; in addition, he has served on the board of   directors of Cypress Creek EMS; and          WHEREAS, Over the course of his distinguished career with   Harris County law enforcement agencies, Woody Mitchell was   recognized with numerous awards and greatly benefited his fellow   citizens through his skill, professionalism, and longstanding   commitment to public service, and he may reflect with pride on his   outstanding contributions to his profession and to those he   influenced along the way; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby congratulate Elwood Mitchell on his retirement   as captain investigator in the Harris County District Attorney's   Office and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be   it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for Chief Mitchell as an expression of high regard by the   Texas House of Representatives.     Harless     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 207 was adopted by the House on March   6, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House