Last Thursday at 2:30 p.m., friends, family and members of the community gathered at Whitesboro City Hall for a ceremony recognizing the promotion of Wayne Vaughn from Officer In Charge/Investigator to Corporal.
Vaughn was born in Dallas and grew up in Mesquite. His family moved to Grayson County in the 90’s and he himself moved to Sherman in 1995. He began by working for his dad’s wholesale food service business but wanted to find other ways to serve his community. When Vaughn saw an ad for the Sherman Police Department, he applied (and was hired) in 2006.
“I knew he wouldn’t work for me forever, and I wasn’t surprised when he said he wanted to be a police officer,” Vaughn’s dad, Jimmy Wayne Vaughn, Sr., said. “When he was 12, his little brother was being picked on by a kid up the street. [Vaughn] marched right up the street and took care of it. He’s been a police officer for a long time.”
The department put him through the Texoma Regional Police Academy, and his career in law enforcement began.
After a year of service, Vaughn decided he enjoyed police work but would prefer to work for a smaller town. He was hired by the Honey Grove Police Department and found his niche. He worked there for five years.
That’s when he learned about an employment opportunity in Whitesboro. Vaughn already knew many of the officers that worked there, and he could see that the city appreciated and took care of its officers.
“People in Whitesboro have a high respect for the police department and their officers. It was very attractive,” Vaughn said of the opportunity.
He was hired in July of 2013 and began as night patrol. In 2019, he worked his way up to day shift and rose through the ranks as one of the senior officers. He eventually became an Officer/Investigator, working on exploring felony crimes.
Now, by promoting Vaughn to Corporal, the department can create its own investigative division and allow the department, and Vaughn, to do a lot more.
“Before this promotion, I really couldn’t leave the Whitesboro area because I had to fulfill my officer duties,” Vaughn said. “Now, I can spend more time on investigations and less time answering calls. I’ll have more freedom to talk with witnesses and suspects, and I’ll be able to assist the citizens of Whitesboro in solving more complex crimes.”
The only thing Vaughn is more enthusiastic about than his police work is his family.
“They mean the world to me,” Vaughn said. “They are why I do what I do.”
In Sherman, people know him as “Coach.” For the past 10 years, he’s coached youth soccer, managing 12-20 kids per season. It’s those strong connections that keep him tied to Sherman, but Vaughn thinks the world of Whitesboro.
“The best thing about Whitesboro is, 100 percent, the people,” Vaughn said. “The citizens, my fellow city employees -- Whitesboro has multiple departments that all work together to help each other. I didn’t see that in other cities. It’s a force multiplier. The city council and mayor always support the police department. All of these are benefits and resources that Whitesboro has that other cities don’t. It’s a joy to serve the people of Whitesboro.”
Police Chief Alex Coss led the promotion ceremony, naming several certifications and trainings Vaughn has completed on his way to his new title.
“I started here as Police Chief in Whitesboro approximately five months ago,” Coss said. “In that short time, I have observed Wayne’s work ethic, his dedication to duty, his positive attitude, his ability to interact with others, his interview techniques, problem solving abilities and his testimony to the Grand Jury. Also his leadership abilities… He’s done a phenomenal job.”
Coss and Vaughn’s wife then pinned Vaughn’s Corporal stripes onto his uniform collar. Coss also presented Vaughn with an award for 15 years of service, Advanced Peace Officer certification award and a promotion certificate.
“It’s been my honor and privilege to serve the people of Whitesboro. It really is my calling. Being a police officer was a career change for me. I started when I was 35 years old. I knew what the public sector expected of a police officer, and then when I became one, that’s what I strive to do,” Vaughn said. “I hope I’m successful. I try to look at everyone’s angle and perspective when I’m enforcing the law here in the city. Thank you – this is a real honor.”
“This is well deserved, overdue and I’m glad we could make it happen,” Coss said.
In addition to Vaughn’s promotion, Officer James Turner was recognized for five years of service and received an Intermediate Peace Officer certification award pin. Lieutenant Kevin Dockery was recognized for 15 years of service and received an Advanced Peace Officer certification award pin. Officer Lew Hatch was recognized (in absentia) for 25 years in law enforcement.