Friends, coworkers and others gathered for a retirement reception on Friday in honor of Joe Shaw, Supervisor of Brown/Mills County Adult Probation.
The gathering was held in the district courtroom with Judge Stephen Ellis presenting a satirical “proclamation” regarding Shaw’s retirement along with cake, punch and more.
Shaw has worked in adult probation for 21 years, first as an officer and later serving as the supervisor for 8 of those years. He stated that probation is an interesting career where you have the opportunity to meet some very interesting people.“I enjoyed the challenges of it, trying to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Shaw. “Probation is a win/win situation. It keeps people out of prison which is cheaper for the taxpayer, and it keeps them working, paying taxes and supporting their families.”
He explained that the goal of probation is to help people succeed, but that not all will help their probation officers, as he said “some just won’t try,” which is what it takes to help an offender get on the right path of life.
Shaw, a Brownwood Native and Brownwood High School graduate who played on Gordon Wood’s undefeated 1965 state championship team, attended Texas A&M University where he earned two degrees in business, including his Masters of Business administration in the early 1970s.
Shaw attended A&M on a football scholarship and played offensive tackle. While at A&M, his team played against Bear Bryant’s Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama during the Cotton Bowl in the 70s. He was also in the Corps at A&M and upon graduation served 20 months active duty in the U.S. Army, which included the Vietnam War. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in the Army. After this, he joined the Texas National Guard and served a total of 24 years.
In the private sector, he worked for Proctor & Gamble as a sales representative in Houston and also owned his own wholesale floral supply company in Brownwood before he went into a career of probation services. According to Shaw, probation was a way of not having to be on the road all the time.
Friday marked Shaw’s last day as supervisor. He stated there are some things he will miss about the job; however, he looks forward to retirement and hopes to enjoy some fishing, hunting and working in the yard.
“I plan to catch up on some needed down time,” said Shaw. “I will miss working with the people in the department, they are very professional, and of course law enforcement and the others at the courthouse.”
Pictured above are Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Walter B. Croft, Joe Shaw and his wife Cindy Shaw, and Brown/Mills County District Court Judge Stephen Ellis.
