Pioneered paths: Celebrating Fort Worth Police's trailblazing women

Published on April 03, 2024

In the logs of law enforcement history, the contributions of the women often stand as overlooked chapters, quietly shaping the narrative of such agencies. Yet, behind the badge and beneath the uniform lies a tapestry of resilience, courage and innovation woven by the women who have walked the lines of community safety.

Today, we embark on a journey through time, illuminating the remarkable stories and achievements of the trailblazing women who have left their specific marks on the Fort Worth Police Department. From breaking gender barriers to spearheading transformative initiatives, these remarkable individuals have not only shattered stereotypes but have also redefined the ethos of law enforcement in the heart of Texas. Through their triumphs and challenges, they have not only paved the way for future generations of female officers but have also enriched the very fabric of the communities they serve.

Ollie Hargrave: First Fort Worth Police matron

She had a special police commission and her duties were to look after female prisoners and young boys who were arrested. In addition to being a trained nurse, her services would be used in the event of accidents, illness and injuries sustained in fights. In September of 1907, Chief Maddox told her that her official badge was being taken from her. He then presented her with a solid gold badge with the words "Police Matron, Fort Worth Texas" engraved on it.

Hargrave also carried a pistol in addition to her badge. Once when she made a call to a family disturbance, a male officer went to call for a vehicle to pick up the male suspect. He asked Hargrave to watch the man. Once the male officer left, the suspect stood up to leave, Hargrave pulled out her revolver and uttered one word "Stay," and he immediately sat back down.

The Police Benevolent Association amended its current constitution and bylaws so that Hargrave could be entered on the membership list in 1907.

In 1915, the Women's Clubs backed her for reappointment. They said she had a record that was second to none in the United States. Newspaper reporters who had the city hall and police beats were among her staunchest champions. For years they had watched her work and were the loudest in their praise of the services rendered by Hargrave for the city and the cause of humanity.

Emma Richardson: pioneering paths in patrol

Joining the department in 1915 as a jail matron, Emma Richardson swiftly rose through the ranks, becoming the second woman to be commissioned as a regular police officer. By 1930, she led the charge as the inaugural head of the Women's Police Bureau, breaking new ground and paving the way for future generations of female officers. With 25 years of dedicated service, Richardson's contributions left an indelible imprint on the department's history.

Olive Wood: first female Fort Worth sergeant

Capt. Earline Kennedy, Sgt. Esther Alvarez and Lt. Olive Wood began training in the policy academy with the 24 men of Class 33 (1967). Wood said that the only difference she noticed was the female recruits were not allowed to watch some of the films and they did not participate in the physical training (the ladies studied during this time). At the time, female recruits were not issued training uniforms, they wore their own civilian clothing during training.

In May 1972, Wood was promoted to sergeant and transferred to the Traffic Division. She had place fourth out of 209 patrolmen. Before becoming a sergeant, she could not work in Traffic since there wasn't a budget for female officers, but as a sergeant she could be assigned there. Chief Walls told her he was not enthusiastic about women in patrol cars, he didn't think Fort Worth was ready for that. Wood told him, "I think Fort Worth has been ready for it a long time." On her first day directing traffic, she saw a few people go around the block several times just to look at her.

In July 1976, Wood was promoted to lieutenant. Shortly after, she was passed over for an assignment regarding a homicide. As a result, Wood filed a civil suit against the department. She was then given the assignment. Wood retired in 1991.

Photo: As a sergeant, Olive Wood became the first woman to serve in the FWPD Traffic Division.

Floydelle Gragg Jones: first female Fort Worth detective

Graduating with Class 32 in 1967, Floydelle Gragg Jones made history as the first female detective in the Fort Worth Police Department. Her pioneering spirit and dedication to service were evident throughout her tenure, from her instrumental role in creating the Lone Woman Program to her exemplary performance in the Youth Division. While in the police academy, she never shot a gun. However, many of her male classmates blushed when she fired 10 shots, with eight of which being a bullseye. She also was a part of the first married couple in the department when she married Det. R.L. Jones in 1970. Despite her departure in 1976, her legacy as a trailblazer and community advocate endures.

Stephanie Sullivan: first female Fort Worth SWAT officer

Sullivan was in Class 39 (1970). Her mother was deadset about her not becoming a police officer and neither of her parents came to her graduation. Her oldest brother was in the FBI and supported her. At first, she had a very difficult time in the academy with the physical assessment and failed four times before she passed. By graduation she was the most improved. Sullivan went on to be the first Fort Worth female SWAT officer. At the time, it was alleged that people had said, "It's [being a police officer] just a job, it's not your life," but Sullivan didn't think so and wouldn't have gone on to work at the same place for 30 years with that attitude. She was quoted saying, "If you have a problem with these things, you probably shouldn't be doing this for a living."

Carlas Shaw: first Black and female Fort Worth officer

Despite facing initial setbacks, including discrimination and rejection, Carlas Shaw persevered, becoming the first African-American female officer in the Fort Worth Police Department. Her resilience and determination to succeed, even in the face of adversity, served as a testament to her determined spirit and unwavering dedication to duty.

Originally hired for the job and then told to report to the academy in October of 1972, an undisclosed incident initially stopped her entry. Shaw was working in the Water Department when she applied to the Police Department. She passed all initial requirements, entrance test and grilling by the review board. On the Friday before starting she was summoned to the police department and told she would not be able to start the academy because a female officer felt that an as unmarried mother her morals were not high enough to represent the department.

In tears, she called her supervisor at the Water Department and he told her she could have her job back. Shaw's mother worked in the same office complex with Councilmember Leonard Briscoe and months later she told him the story. At the next Council meeting Briscoe told the Council and soon the Police Department reversed its decision and Shaw started alongside the next academy class in May 1973. During the police academy, things went poorly and she went to resign. The same sergeant who told her originally she was rejected, told her "You will not quit!" He told her to hold her head high and complete the academy.

Two years later, she found the same officer who had since retired and called him. He was thrilled to hear from her.

All female officers had to go to work in the jail after graduation, at the time there were no female officers in the field. Chief T.S. Walls made the decision women would go into Patrol. Male officers didn't want female officers because they said they "wouldn't be adequate backup and the wives were nervous." So, female officers were sent to the Traffic Division. Then, the next dilemma was to find a uniform for the female officers. A uniform shop on Pennsylvania Avenue made slacks for them and they wore the same shirt the male officers did.

Dian Tefft: champion of equality

As a member of the Fort Worth Police Department since 1978, Dian Tefft was a vocal advocate for gender equality and fairness in the workplace. Her tireless efforts to challenge stereotypes and advocate for change reshaped the department's culture, paving the way for greater inclusivity and diversity.

Tefft brought up to superiors that upon leaving Rosedale at Forest Park Drive to Nashville, she had a large bathroom and dressing area. The female officers asked for a restroom and were told, "[If] you want to do a man's job; you can use the men's restroom." They continued asking until they were given a restroom in the basement off the side of the locker room. A padlock was placed on the door for privacy but the next day after it was installed, the lock had been pried off and the restroom intentionally used by officers with "terrible aim." Tefft's comment was, "Hopefully they are better at the pistol range than they were in the bathroom."

The female officers went to a higher-ranking female in IAD who gave them a Polaroid camera and told them all to take pictures of the restroom. Shortly after that, they were given a restroom upstairs by the supervisor's office and where it remained the ladies restroom.

Alice Adams: Fearless leader

Adams was in Class 50 (1977). She joined the Fort Worth Police Department after meeting Officers Lynne Bellar and Glenda Worden. Her class had their photo taken in their civilian clothes because the department was changing from the French blue to Navy blue uniforms and the manufacturer hit production problems. Once graduating, they were told to wear anything when they were assigned to Patrol. So, Adams wore slacks with a blue blouse, badge and gun. She remembered getting strange looks. At first, she endured stereotyping. A young boy went home after a minor accident and told his father the female officer had not arrested the other driver. The father called the department to complain but said that he could understand why a "frail and petite" woman would be "afraid" to deal with the situation. Adams stood at 6 feet tall and no one had ever referred to her as petite.

When she became a detective and assigned to homicide, the supervisors wouldn't assign her to homicides, only sexual assaults. They thought she would break down seeing a homicide, but soon learned she could handle tough scenes with equal professionalism.

In her last assignment of her career, she was in Major Cases. In March 1999, they got word a detainee coming from Abilene had killed four people. She told the chief that she thought there would be a shootout when they tried to take him down. The chief agreed and called in SWAT. When officers encountered him, the detainee jumped out of the patrol car and started shooting. Adams was crouched behind a car and thought, "I did not live this long to die now. I think this is God's way of telling me it's time to stop." She said she would not have changed anything in the world for her career with the Fort Worth Police Department.

Pat Kneblick: first female Fort Worth chief

In 1981, Pat Kneblick embarked on a journey that would lead her to become the first female deputy chief in the department's history. Her ascent through the ranks, culminating in her role as executive deputy chief in 2002, underscored her leadership and commitment to service. From managing crisis situations to leading response efforts during which she handled the response to arrival of thousands of survivors from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Fort Worth. In 2008, she served as the first female chief, after Chief Ralph Mendoza's retirement.

Photo: Pat Kneblick became Fort Worth's first female chief in 2008.

Debra Lawson Hatten: trailblazer in K-9

Joining the department in 1986, Debra Lawson Hatten became the first female K-9 officer in the Fort Worth Police Department. Her exemplary performance and dedication to duty exemplified her commitment to excellence, earning her respect and admiration from colleagues and community members alike.

Dorcia Meador: sharpshooter

In 2004, for the fourth time in a decade, Dorcia Meador won the title of National Women's Police Champion. She was believed to be the first woman to win the honor four times. The competition drew more than 400 officers from four countries. In the President's 100 title, she placed 19th out of 460 men and women; the 18 ahead of her were all male. She was the first woman to receive the Distinguished Police Revolver Combat Shooter designation and the first woman in Fort Worth Police Department history to fire a perfect 100 score. She was also the first female rangemaster. Under Meador, the "hit" rate in actual shooting nationwide was around 17%-20%; the "hit" rate by FWPD officers in actual shootings was around 83%.

Photo: Dorcia Meador repeatedly won the title of National Women's Police Champion for shooting.

The legacy and history of the women in the Fort Worth Police Department's is one of resilience, determination and unwavering dedication to duty. From breaking barriers to pioneering leadership, these remarkable individuals have left a permanent mark on the department's history, shaping its core values for generations to come. As we celebrate their achievements, let us also recognize the ongoing journey toward equality and inclusion, ensuring that their legacy inspires future generations of officers to uphold the highest standards of service and integrity.

Photo at top:In 1943, the women of the new traffic meter detail gathered for a photo.

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