Volume 3, Issue 1
Sp e c i a
e me n l S u pp l
tar y A
s ar y n n i ve r
I s s ue
Summer 2010
Celebrating the Twin Cities of the Gulf South & Surrounding Areas
M A G A Z I N E
An -R ich e s o R e d i s In Exc l us i ve !
When Destiny Meets Chance:
The Amazing Journey of Tramon and Shantrell Williams
Obstetrics Gynecology Infertility
Shannon Crowe, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Bryan Blonder, D.O., F.A.C.O.G. Kelli V. Burroughs, M.D.
281-242-1400
Town Center Medical Building 16545 Southwest Fwy, Ste 150, Sugarland, TX 77479 www.sweetwaterobgyn.com
When Destiny Meets Chance?
The Amazing Journey of Tramon & Shantrell Williams
by Leslie C. Ferdinand
At first glance of the house, which is nestled within a posh Richmond subdivision, it isn’t immediately evident that two superstars reside within. Much like its owners, the home is sturdy; the textures of its façade chiseled in some areas, smooth in others, but finely carved everywhere. This is the beautiful home of Green Bay Packer Corner Back, Tramon Williams and his lovely wife, Louisiana Tech basketball superstar, Shantrell Moore-Williams.
DESTINY “Football is something I’ve done my whole life,” says Tramon. He’s peaceful and serene, yet dead-on serious about the pursuit of his dream. He’s also a Tramon Williams, and wife, Shantrell Moore Williams. man who laughs often and easily. However, before going to college, I had five or six jobs. From “Since I was five,” he continues. my 10th grade year to my 12th grade year, I worked at a su“I was destined to do this. I started with Pee Wee Football, permarket called Pay Less. In the summer months, I worked High school football, the whole nine.” At whatever level in which he graced with my dad in addition to the supermarket. I’d wake up at the field, Tramon 5:30 in the morning and wouldn’t get to bed until midnight. I worked with my dad until 3:00 in the afternoon, then went to Williams was a the supermarket and worked my shift there.” standout player. “Coming out In between, Tramon completed high school and ran track and of high school, played football and basketball. I had some “I’m playing football because I know I don’t want to do the football scholarrest of that stuff all my life,” he laughs, only half-joking. When ship offers for Tramon started college, he was thinking about his engineercollege, but I didn’t take them. ing degree and not the NFL, but that’s when he and his best Home Sweet Home I simply decided friend attended a Louisiana Tech football game. “Man, it was a great football game,” Tramon sits back in his chair and to go to school.” lingers in the moment, “I knew that I needed to get back to Born in Napoleonville, LA—thirty minutes from Baton Rouge football because I realized something was missing.” and about forty-five minutes from New Orleans—his mom, Without a football scholarship to Louisiana Tech, he became dad, and older brother were the foundation upon which the a walk-on. Later, he switched his major too. “I wasn’t fond of rock known as Tramon Williams was founded. “My brother all the math,” he laughs again. ended his football career after high school, then enlisted with the Army and has been to Iraq. He has been working Despite all his successes in sports, he believes his first great since the age of 15 or 16. When we were younger, I saw him accomplishment was graduating from college. However, it working and I wanted to work too, but I wasn’t old enough. seemed his destiny was leading him to the dream he’d only Summer 2010– Bonus Issue • www.RoseRichMagazine.com • To advertise, call (281) 769-8321 •
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mentioned to his parents as he got older: becoming a player in the NFL. Who knew the woman of his dreams, his soul mate, lay within that destiny?
THE PRIDE OF MINDEN The former Shantrell Moore is shy, serious, and straight-tothe-point. Born and raised in Minden, LA, about twenty minutes east of Shreveport, Mrs. Williams is the eldest of four children. She credits her mother as being her most positive influence. One task she disliked while growing up but has proven helpful to her is babysitting. “I hated staying in the house to babysit, but my mother worked and there wasn’t anyone else to watch us. My mother was a single parent with four kids and I was always in the house babysitting. I believe that is the reason why I don’t care to go out a lot. I’ve found that you can do a lot in the house without going out and getting into trouble.” Since the age of five, Shantrell has played sports. She always wanted to be a basketball player. “I never said anything else.” Mr. Williams is represented by Rodney Williams (no relation) and Rodney Ardoin. Due to prior commitments, Rodney Williams couldn’t attend the interview, but Mr. Ardoin is there and pipes in, “Shantrell was the pride of Minden. She was the basketball star. Even today, the coach asks players, ‘can you do it like Shantrell Moore?’.” Mr. Ardoin gives Shantrell a pointed look. She is too humble to point at her myriad successes, but Mr. Ardoin is proud of both Mr. and Mrs. Williams. She stares back at Rodney and shakes her head, rueful. “That’s not good,” she admits. “That makes it difficult for my little sister. They’re always comparing her to me. My sister has her own style and it’s completely different than mine.” The women’s basketball program at Louisiana Tech is known as one of the powerhouses in NCAA Division I women’s basketball, right up there with Tennessee and UCONN. Shantrell was so determined to be a star with this storied program that she changed her major to Sociology because her professors didn’t like her basketball schedule. “Within the WAC division, we mostly played on the West Coast. We were in class maybe once a Tramon holding poster of the “Pride of Minden”. week. All of our games
were in Hawaii, California, and Nevada.” On the hardwood at Louisiana Tech, as a Lady Techster, Shantrell Moore was a star, the pride of Minden. When she graduated, professional basketball came knocking on her door and soon, she was off to Poland to fulfill her dream.
TWO HEARTS THAT BEAT AS ONE Shantrell Moore and Tramon Williams were married in late June 2009, but between their initial introduction and wedding stood Poland. “I saw her in the gym,” Mr. Williams recalls. “You see this girl that you’ve never seen before. I continued to see her everywhere. You make initial eye contact and you know there’s something there, but you continue with your life and then, hopefully, you eventually meet up.” Fate and a certain lady named Tamika intervened. Even before Tamika took Mr. Williams’ phone and saved Shantrell’s phone number in it and put Tramon’s number in Shantrell’s phone—what are friends for?—he knew he’d found the one. “It’s simply a feeling that you get.” He gazes lovingly across the table at his wife. “When I started talking to you, everything else in my love-life was shut down. Anybody else I was talking to, I shut it down. I was seeing Shan a good five or six months before we really started dating.” A romantic night for the Williams might include sitting at home watching the NBA playoffs. They truly enjoy each other’s company. Mr. Ardoin explains it this way, “What’s boring to everybody else is probably not boring to them. I try to get them to go out with me and my wife but they rarely do it. They find a lot of enjoyment in being with one another. They can cuddle and watch television, or they can compete, relentlessly, against each other on the basketball court. They get it. They just sync. They are hopelessly, helplessly in love.” Two kindred souls: Ballers, Lovers, and Best Friends. Although Shantrell doesn’t like surprises, Tramon knows how to make even that experience enjoyable for her. His proposal to her came with all the bells and whistles, and not just a little mischief. “I’m not the romantic type,” he confesses. “However, I knew the day I was going to propose to Shan. I started off by giving her flowers. It was my first time ever giving her flowers. I stalled the entire day. You know, I bought her a necklace?” He looks across the table at her and
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laughs. “It took her mind totally off of a ring. So, it’s getting late and she’s tired. She’s lying in bed, dozing off and I’m steadily talking to her. She was getting a little annoyed with me because she wanted to go to sleep. I walked to the other side of the bed and opened a box with the ring inside. When she started to open her eyes, I popped the question and she wasn’t sleepy anymore. That woke her up! It was after one o’clock in the morning, but the time didn’t matter because she called all her family and friends. All I wanted was for Shan to be happy and surprised.” Had Tramon been a betting man, he’d have won hands down that he could and would surprise her. “Now, I try to stay out of the spotlight,” says Tramon. My wife and I get along extremely well because we both love being home. You stay out of trouble and have the opportunity to enjoy your family this way. That’s what I like. That’s the real value in life.” Their respective families still reside in Louisiana—hers in Minden and his in Napoleonville. While he was playing for the Houston, Texans, Tramon fell in love with the Sugar LandRichmond area. It was a no-brainer that he would call this area home.
POLAND When Tramon was released by the Texans and still working out for several NFL teams, he always attended Shantrell’s basketball games. He flew to her tournament against Southern Miss. Invariably, the Tramon and one of his agents, Rodney Ardoin. close-knit environment in which he grew up taught him what’s truly important in life, the meaning and value of family. “My mother and father were there for me and made me work hard. My parents were always there. They pretty much taught me everything and supported me with whatever I did. Many people don’t have both parents in their lives and my heart aches for them. Sometimes, they hurt their whole lives and it winds up eating them up inside. It’s a shame life goes that way for them. In the end, it makes them stronger individuals. When they have kids, they should do the total opposite of what they were given.” Given Tramon’s values and his deep abiding love for his wife, it isn’t surprising that when the then Shantrell Moore went
to Poland to play pro basketball and she wanted to come home because of unseemly circumstances, he moved the skies and the seas to get his woman stateside again. “Families would adopt players and we stayed with teammates,” Shantrell begins. Even now, emotion is ripe in her voice. “They didn’t want to send me back. You know how you’ve promised someone a lot in a contract, but when you get there, it’s a totally different story. It was the worse situation I’ve ever been in. We were promised a car to drive to practice every day. We were promised cell phones. When I first got there, I didn’t have anything. No phone. No Internet access. I couldn’t call anyone to tell them I’d made it there safely. My bed was about the size of this table.” She’s referring to the table in the breakfast area that seats four comfortably. “I had to walk forty-five minutes to and from practice. The streets weren’t lit or anything, and they’d just told us about a band of Gypsies that were in the area and stealing from people on the street.” Tramon just shakes his head. “It was bad. She was halfway around the world and she didn’t want to be there and I couldn’t get to her. It was bad.” “Tramon told her she didn’t need to go through that,” Mr. Ardoin inserts. “But they didn’t want to send her back. I learned about the situation about six o’clock in the evening.” He indicates Tramon with a nod of his head. “This man stayed on the phone. He worked relentlessly to get his then-girlfriend safely back home. I’m telling you he wouldn’t put his head on the pillow until she was on a plane headed home.” Shantrell continues, “I had to pay $800 in American money just to get someone to drive me to Germany for the flight back to the States. Then, I had to sleep outside of the airport to make sure I didn’t miss the plane. When I arrived home, I heard there had been a bomb threat at the airport my plane left from.” Can she still play ball? “Oh, yes, she can still ball,” Mr. Ardoin asserts. “The three of us played a few games of 21 a few weeks ago and Shan’s jump shot is still flawless.”
A PACKER CB IN THE MAKING way of changing the subject. “My mom looked at me as if to say ‘a police officer’.” He demonstrates a Boy-Are-You-Out-
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Of-Your-Mind face, reminiscent of his mother’s at the thought of her baby subjecting himself to the vagaries of life that comes with being a cop. “I thought it would be so cool to be a police officer and make a difference in the community, but I eventually told her I wanted to be a football player.” As Tramon explains it, he qualifies for what might seem to have been an easy road. “It wasn’t like the NFL came knocking on my door with a job.” “The last thing Tramon wants to do is give a young boy, a young man, the misconception that education isn’t important,” Mr. Ardoin emphasizes. “He went through a lot of adversity to get to where he is. Tramon wasn’t offered a college football scholarship until his junior season. He prevailed because his mother and father taught him the value of hard work.”
Tramon was a four-year letterman at Assumption High School and helped the school win four straight district titles. He was the 2001 all-region honoree and was selected to second-team all-state. He was the high school teammate of superstar NY Giants RB, Brandon Jacobs. On the hardwood, he was a fouryear letterman, as well as leading the charge for the district title. In his only year of track, he finished second in the state of Louisiana in the long jump, second in the triple jump, and third in the high jump.
And yet, at Louisiana Tech, Tramon didn’t have a scholarship. He ended up being a walk on. “Once I walked on, I didn’t expect to jump in front of anybody right away. It was unrealistic to think that. There were 30 walk on athletes that year and I was the only one invited back to camp. That’s one thing I loved about Tech’s coach, Jack Becknell, he never turned someone down if he wanted to play football. A lot of schools aren’t liked that. They have to know 18 passes defensed, two forced fumbles you already, and one recovery or you have to 5. Released by Houston as a nonknow somebody drafted rookie following training camp in before you can 2006, joined the Packers’ practice squad play.” for the final five weeks of that season After being 6. Became the surprise of camp in invited back to 2007, landing a spot on the 53-man Louisiana Tech’s roster with a strong preseason and by football camp, season’s end had established himself as Tramon began the team’s No. 3 cornerback and top kick his journey. “I returner was outplaying guys but I still 7. That year, got his first NFL wasn’t getting interception and scored his first pro on field. Going touchdown, returning a pooch punt out into my junior of field-goal formation 94 yards for a year, I wound score vs. Carolina (Nov. 18) up compet8. Though he’s no longer a primary ing against my return man, remains a solid contributor friend. He was on special teams with 12 career coverage a highly retackles, including one on Thanksgiving cruited guy but Day 2007 in Detroit that saved a he got hurt, so I touchdown started a couple of games. He A first-team All-Western Athletic came back and Conference selection at Louisiana Tech, Coach let him had seven career interceptions and led start again for the nation in passes defensed (19) as a the next three senior in 2005. Courtesy www.packers.com games. Then, he hurt himself again by tearing
Tramon Williams Young and stilldeveloping cornerback who has made his way from non-drafted free agent and practicesquad player to reliable nickel man and is viewed as a starter-in-waiting behind veterans Al Harris and Charles Woodson. 1. Got his first extensive starting experience in 2008, opening nine games in place of both Harris (spleen injury) and Woodson (temporary move to safety) and established career bests in every defensive category 2. His five interceptions last year – three coming in consecutive games while starting for Harris – ranked third on the team and were his most in any single season, college or pro 3. Along with teammates Woodson and Nick Collins, became first Packers trio to each post five-or-more interceptions in a season since 1996 (Eugene Robinson, LeRoy Butler, Doug Evans) 4. In 32 career games (all consecutive), has started 10 contests and posted 63 tackles (55 solo) with six interceptions,
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his ACL. I went back in and started making plays. That’s when I started getting looked at. After my senior at Tech, the Texans signed me as an undrafted rookie free agent. I went through the whole camp and got released on the very last cut down day. That was a tough camp, but people told me that the first NFL camp for a rookie is always the worst.” Once he was released from Houston, Green Bay was the first team he went to for a work out. It was a good workout. “They promised me that I was going to be that guy they signed when they were ready to sign someone. I had seven workouts with NFL teams. I’d heard the same thing from most of them, but they didn’t make any moves.” The Green Bay Packers signed him. “I was assigned to the practice squad. Then, I started camp the following season and faced another uphill battle. However, this time I made the team.” To date, Tramon Williams has started 21 games. He feels he’s still getting better and so do the Green Bay Packers. His name is amongst the choices of the Packers Fan Poll on who will lead the team in interceptions for the 2010 season. For a peak at Tramon’s 2009 Pro Summary, read the inset on page 6.
A BRIGHT FUTURE “He never received praise,” Shantrell says of her husband. “I always received praise for my ball playing and I didn’t know how to deal with adversity. Tramon did. I’ve had two knee surgeries and it was pretty hard on me. The Packers installed him as kick returner and Tramon never returned kicks. He did what he had to do.” “I know exactly what happened,” Mr. Ardoin says with pride. “They asked Tramon if he could return kicks and he said, ‘uhhuh, I sure can’. The first time Tramon told me he would be returning kicks, I asked if he had ever returned kicks. He just said, in Tramon fashion, ‘well, I do now’. He never gave up. He’s physically tough. He’s mentally tough. He’s smart and he doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit. His attitude is ‘I can do’. Everything he’s ever attempted, he has been successful and the best is definitely yet to come.” “A lot of women go after Pro players because of the money and what goes along with being the wife of a sports star,” Shantrell explains. “But it’s not about the money and it’s not
about the fame. It’s about the man you’re with. It’s about being with each other through the good times and the bad times. Being in the spotlight isn’t going to last forever. A lot of young girls don’t understand that. They just think about marrying a man with money. They want a “baller.” However, they don’t think about the man he is beyond that. Does he respect me? Does he love me? I knew Tramon before he went to the NFL. I didn’t marry him because he went to the NFL. I married him because of the man that he is. I just want to tell young ladies to always look for a man who respects and loves you. Don’t look for money and fame.” Tramon and Shantrell Williams are always caring for children. As residents of Richmond, TX, they have taken a special interest in the children of Deaf Smith Elementary School in Lamar CISD. “I’m always in search of what we can do for the children,” Tramon says. “Some of them don’t have role models. We don’t know what their lives are like at home. We don’t know what’s going on once they leave school. It could be anything. I’m trying to provide children with a sense of hope at an early age. However, I’m just a small commodity trying to do whatever I can.” On the turf, Tramon Williams’ future is blindingly bright. With the Pride of Minden at his side, his future is vast indeed. Later this year, the Williams family will become first time parents and yet, work in their adopted hometown is far from over. “Stick to your dreams,” he advises. “Continue to work hard. If playing football is what you want to do, then do it. Some guys I played football with in college haven’t made it to the pro level yet, but I have nothing but respect for those guys. They won’t give up. You can’t make it if you don’t try.”
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Tom Wilson can be found at Reading Road Storage a couple of days a week. He has always had a love of the written word, however, and is a regular contributor to Inside Rose Rich Magazine. He also serves as an Ambassador for the RosenbergRichmond Chamber of Commerce.
Be a Champion
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think most people like to watch sporting events, regardless of the sport. Often, when the subject of sports becomes conversation, the issue of being a winner or champion is discussed. The title of champion does not belong exclusively to sports. There are champions in many different facets of our life. Yes, there are champions in business too. The word champion simply means winning or excelling over all others. Many people in all walks of life have made wonderful accomplishments and deserve the title of champion. Do you in your business or personal life consider yourself a champion? It is imperative that you consider your talents, abilities, and effort to be that of a champion. It all goes back to that believe in yourself attitude.
Falling Arches by Mark Vann, MD
Painful flat feet in adults has been termed Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity (AAFD). This is a common condition, often leading to progressive, disabling pain. The most common cause of AAFD is a torn, dysfunctional or elongated tendon. The involved structure is the posterior tibial tendon, also named the tibialis posterior. This tendon functions as a major support structure to the arch of the foot. Injury, overuse, certain medical conditions and aging can all lead to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. With injury or gradual weakening of the posterior tibial tendon, the inner (medial) arch begins to collapse. This loss of arch height leads to further damage to important ligaments, which attach neighboring bones together in the arch of the foot. Additionally, as the arch continues to collapse, the heel begins to shift to the outer border of the foot (lateral), further increasing the strain on the medial arch ligaments and tendons. The most common symptom in AAFD is pain. The location of the pain may vary, with some reporting pain in the arch or the inner portion of their ankle, while in later stages, individuals begin to report pain at the outer border of the ankle. Stiffness and loss of mobility is also noted, particularly in the later stages of the disease. A strange appearance, or deformity, is often experienced. There may be a complete loss of arch height with a “collapsing” or “twisting” of the ankle, accompanied by abnormal shoe wear patterns.
by Tom Wilson, Reading Road Self Storage
Jack Nicklaus once made a speech in which he was asked his opinion of what is a champion. His reply is worth mentioning here. “Champions are made by risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible.” A giant step in remaining a champion is to keep the level of attitude high. Accept the fact that to attain that level of success, sacrifices must be made. Continue to learn and reach out for more information relating to your life’s goals. That will enable you to have the mental tools necessary to remain at the top. To keep the champion title, one must continually work for it. Thinking that a formula will help, consider this….Think like a champion; Act like a champion; Be a champion; then work as hard as you can and Remain a champion.
An accurate history and physical examination in combination with standing foot and ankle x-rays is useful in achieving the appropriate diagnosis. Occasionally, MRI or CT scans may be necessary to rule out certain conditions, or to better understand co-existing conditions. The initial treatment of AAFD begins with conservative, nonsurgical care, in all but the most unique situations. Such situations include sudden posterior tibial tendon rupture following a fall from a height or a high energy automobile accident. Orthotics, bracing or casting may be used to manage the early stages of AAFD resulting from posterior tibial dysfunction. These conservative measures aim to improve the symptoms and make life more enjoyable, however, they do not correct the underlying problem, and upon discontinuation of the device, symptoms often return. The persistence of symptoms despite non-surgical management or a desire to be free of braces and orthotics, often encourage individuals to pursue more definitive and long-term solutions. In the early and middle stages of AAFD due to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, surgical options which preserve joint motion and overall foot function exist. This allows individuals to maintain their flexibility, continue participation in many physical activities without restriction, and avoid many of the drawbacks seen with foot fusions. In the late stages of symptomatic AAFD, options become limited. Joint preserving options are typically lost due to stiffness and often times the development of arthritis. In these later stages of the disease, fusion is typically necessary, with a realigned, albeit stiff foot. For all appointments and inquiries, please call: (713) 590-5490, or visit www.eliteorthopedicsandspine.com
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Grapes on the Brazos
Hispanic Business Division
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law enforcement
Meet Billy Frank Teague, Richmond Police Department “
S
ir, I think we have a breach in security!”
The watch commander peered down the hallway, having a clear view back into the booking area from his position in his office. He saw nothing unusual. “Well, where at?” “There’s a guy that I’m sure doesn’t belong back here. He’s all scroungey looking and he’s entered the secure area.” A man came into view then. His hair fell below his collar and he was dressed like a biker. “Oh, that’s just Billy Frank,” the watch commander said. Billy Frank heard about the incident when the Watch Commander crooked his finger at him, beckoning him into his office with that gesture. “You ain’t gonna believe this,” he told Billy Frank with a big grin on his face. He decided to go and introduce himself to Joan, the vigilant lady who’d seen him go through an area where an ordinary person doesn’t go through; the lady who hadn’t worked in records long enough to have met all the officers who came and went. That was in 1973. 37 years later, Lieutenant Billy Frank Teague, Commanding Officer of the Criminal Investigation Division for the Richmond Police Department, and his wife, Joan--herself retired from the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department--are still living their life happily ever after. “She’s learned a lot from me and I’ve learned a lot from her. We have a perfect relationship. If there’s anything such as a perfect relationship.” His mom and dad saw parenting as a 50/50 relationship. “Joan and I did the same thing. I like to tell people that we shared our marriage 50/50, but she controlled 51% of the stock.” At the time they met, Lieutenant Teague was assigned to the Vice and Narcotics Division of the Irving Police Department. “Do you remember Otis, the guy on the Andy Griffith Show?” he asks as he sits in his office at the Richmond Police Department one recent summer afternoon. The building vibrates as a train passes nearby, the train’s warning signal as it passes an
intersection momentarily drowning out everything else. “He was the town drunk. He’d walk into the jail, grab the keys from the wall to lock himself up for the night. Joan thought it was something like that.” Born in Henderson, TX in Rusk County, his family moved to Irving when he was 5. He graduated from high school there, served 8 years on the Irving police force, met and married his wife there. “I sure shed a tear when Cowboy Stadium came down.” Lieutenant Teague’s favorite pastime is spending time with Joan, their five kids and their grandkids. Quality family time is a priceless commodity for any law enforcement official. So their time together was just that—their time. “We always looked at our relationship and the life we have for the short time we are on earth as special. Especially in law enforcement, you never know what’ll happen. Your life can be snuffed out quickly. Joan and I didn’t socialize like other people because we wanted our time together.” He considers his early years as a state trooper some of the most dangerous. “Oftentimes, troopers work desolate areas where back-up isn’t right around the corner. I stopped individuals who violated traffic laws. You don’t know who that individual is when you’re stopping them. They might be exceedingly bad, wanted for heinous crime. Or maybe they’ve just committed some dangerous, heinous crime. They don’t know that you don’t know. They don’t know that you’re just stopping them for a speeding ticket or to give them a warning for something, like a headlight is out. Texas Law Enforcement, over the years, have lost some outstanding officers, over, as we like to say, just a stupid ticket.” He has a private pilot’s license, although he hasn’t flown in sometime due to time and cost. “My baby girl is starting her second semester at Sam Houston University. I’m gonna get a bumper sticker that says, My Baby Daughter & All My Money Go To Huntsville’. I like the outdoors too,” he continues with a laugh. “If I wanted to retire, I would love to have property with a big game fence filled with exotics. I’d sit on my porch and watch and feed them and enjoy God’s gift. And I’d dare anybody to shoot my animals.” An edgy promise is in his voice. He means business and he doesn’t suffer fools lightly. Depending on which side of Lieutenant Teague you’re on—good or bad—you’re left wondering what type of retribution he’d concoct or you have the be Jesus frightened out of you as he sees it through. Part 2 of Lieutenant Teague’s article will appear in the Fall 2010 issue.
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law enforcement
Meet Aaron Slater, Rosenberg Police Department ieutenant Aaron Slater, the Commanding Officer over the Rosenberg Patrol Division is a man of the world traveler. The man whose division consists of consists of Patrol, S.W.A.T., Criminal Interdiction / K-9 Unit, Traffic Investigation Unit, Field Training Program, Bicycle Unit, Honor Guard, Communications Division, and Detention Division was born in Missoula, Montana and lived in Denver, Colorado; Connecticut; and Madrid, Spain. He finally moved to the City of Meadows where he graduated from Dulles High School. His division is comprised of a total of 55 employees including 8 Sergeants, 32 Officers, 14 Dispatchers, and 1 Jailer.
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Certainly, we all need down time, but as the lieutenant puts it, “Hobbies are for people who have time to spare. Due to having a demanding position and attending college full time, it is important I spend as much quality time with my two children as possible. I feel it is imperative to stay health and physically fit in order to reduce stress and maintain an active professional lifestyle.” Lieutenant Slater started his law enforcement career in 1998 as a Patrol Officer and was later assigned as a Field Training Officer and S.W.A.T. Operator. “A Police Officer who is now deceased was a mentor of mine. I looked at him as a father figure and he took the time to help mold me into the character I am today.” Thus began his journey. In 2001, he was promoted to Detective with the Criminal Investigations Division. In 2003 he was assigned to the Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force, an H.I.D.T.A. initiative, as a Undercover Narcotics Detective. In 2006 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and developed the Department’s Narcotics and Reoccurring Crimes Squad (N.A.R.C.S.). In 2008, he took command over the Patrol Division at the rank of Lieutenant. He spent his youth involved in Martial Arts and made it his way of life. “The philosophies that Martial Arts provided me gave a sense of being a protector,” Lieutenant Slater explains. “Being religious, what better way to be the difference
between good and evil or the predator and the prey then to be the protector of the prey and stand for what is good.” It was his Martial Arts Instructor who instilled in Lieutenant Slater the importance of integrity, discipline, loyalty, respect, and honor. Wherever his martial arts instructor left off, his mother was there to pick up. “She beat into me my work ethic.” He is a Magna Cum Lade graduate of Mountain State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership. He is currently attending Sam Houston State University for a Masters Degree in Management and Leadership in Criminal Justice. He holds TCLEOSE Certificates as a Master Peace Officer, Police Instructor, Special Investigator, and Crime Prevention Inspector. He has been awarded “Chief’s Award” in 1998, “Officer of the Quarter” from the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association in 2001 and 2002, Rosenberg V.F.W.’s 2006 “Officer of the Year”, City of Rosenberg’s “Employee of the Year” 2006, and Rosenberg Police Officer’s Association “Supervisor of the Year” 2007. Currently, he is a Police Instructor at the Wharton County Junior College’s Police Academy, a certified police instructor in Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (A.L.E.R.R.T.), Defensive Tactics (P.P.C.T.), TASER Instructor, Narcotics, Use of Force, Patrol Procedures, and many other police related courses. Although he’s had many cases over his distinguished career, his most memorable case involved two juveniles who had developed a plot to attack a local Middle School. “They had manufactured explosive devices (bombs) and developed a well thought out plan,” he relates. “After locating the explosives the Bomb Squad was called along with ATF. While interviewing the juveniles they stated they provided a “hit list” of the individuals they were targeting and the attack just prevented just days prior to the scheduled date of April 19th; to coincide with anniversaries of Columbine shooting, Waco incident, and Oklahoma City bombing.” The case is both frightening and a sobering reminder of the dangers police officers face on behalf of the citizens every single day. Still, the lieutenant is undaunted. As you talk to him, it is this dedication that glimmers like a beacon above all else. “My biggest pet peeve is people who feel they are entitled to things in life. People need to understand that nothing is ever given and if success is what they want, hard work is necessary.”
Summer 2010– Bonus Issue • www.RoseRichMagazine.com • To advertise, call (281) 769-8321 •
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Find Inside Rose-Rich At... Rosenberg Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance 4120 Avenue H Rosenberg, TX 77471
Reading Road Self Storage 5208 Reading Road Rosenberg, TX 77471 Amegy Bank Of Texas 3400 Avenue H Rosenberg, TX 77471
Briggs, Lancaster & Siebert 3510 Avenue I Rosenberg, TX 77471
Texas Car Title 4800 Avenue H Rosenberg, TX 77471
Fort Bend Seniors 1330 Band Road Rosenberg, TX 77471
Legacy Ford 27225 Southwest Freeway Rosenberg, TX 77471
Kroger Brazos Town Center Rosenberg, TX 77471 Brazos Ranch Apartments 7404 Town Center Blvd. Rosenberg, TX 77471 City Of Rosenberg 2110 Fourth Street Rosenberg, TX 77471 Small Business Development Center 117 Lane Drive, Suite 31 Rosenberg, TX 77471 Capital One 2810 First Street Rosenbeg, TX 77471 May W. Tape, D.D.S. Pediatric Dentistry 5501 Avenue I (Fm 1640) Rosenberg, TX 77471
Richmond
Oak Bend Medical Center 1705 Jackson Street Richmond, TX 77471 Rose-Rich Veterinary Clinic 2203 Thompson Road Richmond, TX 77469 George Ranch Historical Park 10215 Fm 762 Richmond, TX 77469 Italian Maid Café 300 Morton Street Richmond, TX 77469 Indulgence Day Spa and Salon 815 Plantation Dr. Richmond, TX 77406
T. W. Davis YMCA 911 Thompson Highway Richmond, TX 77469 George Memorial Library 1001 Golfview Drive Richmond, TX 77469 Ft. Bend County Museum 500 Houston Street Richmond, TX 77469 LC Floral Designs 204 Hwy 90a East Richmond, TX 77469 Mugz Coffee Bar 503 Fm 359 Ste. 190 Richmond, TX 77469 Pediatric Center 1300 Main Street Richmond, TX 77469 Richmond Coffee Station 210 Hwy 90a E Richmond, TX 77469
Needville
Alfred George Library 9230 Gene Street Needville, TX 77461
Sugar Land
Memorial Hermann 17500 West Grand Parkway South Sugar Land, TX 77479
Morton Street Gallery 310 Morton Street Richmond, TX 77469
Summer 2010– Bonus Issue • www.RoseRichMagazine.com • To advertise, call (281) 769-8321 •
Gastroenterology Associates of Texas 17510 West Grand Parkway South, Suite 220 Sugar Land, TX 77479 Kroger 3665 Highway 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478 Kroger 11565 Highway 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478 Kroger 4825 Sweetwater Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479 Remax On The Brazos 19984 SW Freeway Sugar Land, TX 77479 Vineyard On The Square Sugar Land Town Square 16135 City Walk Sugar Land, TX 77479
Missouri City Kroger 6200 Highway 6 Sugar Land, TX 77459 Texas State Healthcare 2601-G Cartwright Rd. Missouri City, TX 77459
New Orleans HRI Properties
909 Poydras Street Suite 3100 New Orleans, LA 70170
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