Ron Shields, 65, of Athens, Texas, formerly of Parsons, died November 2, 2009, at his home.
He was born in Parsons, Kansas, on October 3, 1944, to W. L. and Maxine (Sailsbury) Shields.
He was a true and faithful husband, father, grandfather, friend, police officer and educator. He attended Calvary Temple Church in Athens.
Ron graduated in 1962 from Labette County Community High School in Altamont, Kansas. He married Lois Conrad August 6, 1964. While on his honeymoon, he received his military draft notice. He served the Kansas National Guard for 6 years attaining the rank of Sergeant.
In 1965, he found employment with North Electric Company. His new career as a telephone installation specialist resulted in his traveling throughout the United States. His business travels eventually brought him to Payne Springs and Athens.
In 1979, he joined Blake Communications which he later bought and changed the name to Shields Tel-Communications. Always close by his side was his wife, Lois.
In 1985, Henderson County Sheriff's Office Reserve Captain Wayne Pitts encouraged him to join the department. Though Ron always regarded his wife as his one true love, he quickly discovered his passion for law enforcement. One year later, he became a deputy sheriff. Soon his intelligence and drive shaped him into an investigator. He was relentless in his pursuit of justice. He was renown for his talent of discovering the smallest of details. During his service to the citizens of Henderson County, Ron excelled in cases involving child abuse and sexual assault. For more than 10 years, he worked tirelessly to protect and defend the most vulnerable of victims. He averaged more than 50 child abuse related arrests per year. In 1999, Ron began teaching for the East Texas Police Academy. During his 10 years as a law enforcement educator, he taught more than 600 students. In the spring of 2009, he graduated his 15th class and leaves a legacy that will affect his community and law enforcement for years to come.
He has been described as a cop's cop, mentor, respected, compassionate and dedicated. He stood in the gap between good and evil and was a champion of the innocent. He was a true and loyal friend. He became police chief for the City of Brownsboro in June 2006 and retired August 18, 2009.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years Lois Conrad Shields, Athens; grandchildren Justin Andrew Shields and Laura Elizabeth Bishop; brother Robert L. Shields, Hiawatha, Kansas; brothers-in-law David Conrad, Athens; James Conrad and wife Kathy, Breda, Iowa; sister-in-law Mary Wise and husband Duane, Parsons, Kansas; numerous nieces and nephews; and his law enforcement family.
He was preceded in death by his parents W. L. and Maxine Sailsbury Shields; sons Scott Bryan Shields and Darren Eugene Shields; brother Richard Shields.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Parsons with the Rev. Gene Bishop of Shady Oaks Baptist Church, Athens, officiating. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Friday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Henderson County Humane Society. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ron Shields, please visit our flower store.
He was born in Parsons, Kansas, on October 3, 1944, to W. L. and Maxine (Sailsbury) Shields.
He was a true and faithful husband, father, grandfather, friend, police officer and educator. He attended Calvary Temple Church in Athens.
Ron graduated in 1962 from Labette County Community High School in Altamont, Kansas. He married Lois Conrad August 6, 1964. While on his honeymoon, he received his military draft notice. He served the Kansas National Guard for 6 years attaining the rank of Sergeant.
In 1965, he found employment with North Electric Company. His new career as a telephone installation specialist resulted in his traveling throughout the United States. His business travels eventually brought him to Payne Springs and Athens.
In 1979, he joined Blake Communications which he later bought and changed the name to Shields Tel-Communications. Always close by his side was his wife, Lois.
In 1985, Henderson County Sheriff's Office Reserve Captain Wayne Pitts encouraged him to join the department. Though Ron always regarded his wife as his one true love, he quickly discovered his passion for law enforcement. One year later, he became a deputy sheriff. Soon his intelligence and drive shaped him into an investigator. He was relentless in his pursuit of justice. He was renown for his talent of discovering the smallest of details. During his service to the citizens of Henderson County, Ron excelled in cases involving child abuse and sexual assault. For more than 10 years, he worked tirelessly to protect and defend the most vulnerable of victims. He averaged more than 50 child abuse related arrests per year. In 1999, Ron began teaching for the East Texas Police Academy. During his 10 years as a law enforcement educator, he taught more than 600 students. In the spring of 2009, he graduated his 15th class and leaves a legacy that will affect his community and law enforcement for years to come.
He has been described as a cop's cop, mentor, respected, compassionate and dedicated. He stood in the gap between good and evil and was a champion of the innocent. He was a true and loyal friend. He became police chief for the City of Brownsboro in June 2006 and retired August 18, 2009.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years Lois Conrad Shields, Athens; grandchildren Justin Andrew Shields and Laura Elizabeth Bishop; brother Robert L. Shields, Hiawatha, Kansas; brothers-in-law David Conrad, Athens; James Conrad and wife Kathy, Breda, Iowa; sister-in-law Mary Wise and husband Duane, Parsons, Kansas; numerous nieces and nephews; and his law enforcement family.
He was preceded in death by his parents W. L. and Maxine Sailsbury Shields; sons Scott Bryan Shields and Darren Eugene Shields; brother Richard Shields.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Parsons with the Rev. Gene Bishop of Shady Oaks Baptist Church, Athens, officiating. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Friday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Henderson County Humane Society. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ron Shields, please visit our flower store.
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