NACOGDOCHES, Texas – A nearly 2-year long legal battle between Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) ended Wednesday. TCOLE officials initially recommended revoking Fullen’s peace officer’s license, before voting to issue a 6-month, backdated suspension that will not interfere with his duties as Sheriff.
During TCOLE’s December meeting in Nacogdoches, Commissioners voted unanimously to a probated 6-month suspension that was backdated to run from June 30 through Dec. 31, 2024.
The vote was the result of a mediated agreement between Fullen and TCOLE, and brings the matter to an end.
Fullen, members of his command staff and two Galveston County Constables made the trip to Nacogdoches, but made no comments during the meeting or after the vote.
When Fullen was running for Sheriff in 2024, TCOLE, which licenses all peace officers in Texas, accused him of several omissions on his personal history statement filed with two departments. TCOLE requires peace officers to fill out these statements and attest to their accuracy.
The statements are notarized and serve as a foundation for background checks when an officer applies for a job with a law enforcement agency.
“Respondent omitted, failed to disclose, or provided false or untruthful information related to job experience, having been disciplined at work, having been fired or asked to resign from a place of employment, having been accused of discrimination, having been the subject of a written complaint at work, having failed to make or been late on a court-ordered payment, having been part of a civil lawsuit, and failing to disclose two arrests,” read TCOLE’s Petition for Revocation filed in June 2024.
After Fullen was elected Sheriff, TCOLE changed its recommendation to a 10-year suspension since Texas’ law prohibits state agencies from revoking the license of constitutionally elected officials.
Fullen appealed both recommended punishments to the State Office of Administrative Hearings and filed a lawsuit against TCOLE in Galveston County court.
Following TCOLE’s meeting, Fullen sent 2 Investigates a written statement.
“On Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) formally approved a mediated settlement agreement between Sheriff Fullen and TCOLE pertaining to alleged administrative violations and the attempted revocation of Fullen’s peace officer license.
Fullen, the Republican nominee for Galveston County Sheriff in the 2024 general election, has been the subject of an investigation initiated by a complaint from the campaign of his former opponent after announcing his candidacy in 2023.
Throughout the investigation, Sheriff Fullen has fully cooperated by, including meeting with TCOLE investigators and providing all requested information and documentation.
His attorney, Greg Cagle, representing the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA), subsequently filed an appeal regarding the allegations presented in the complaint. A lawsuit was also filed by Tony Buzbee against TCOLE regarding their enforcement authority against elected officials.
From the Sheriff’s perspective, the conduct of the investigation raised concerns about political influence, as reports indicated that a local State Representative linked to Fullen’s opponent had communicated with TCOLE leadership regarding the case. Additionally, there were questions about TCOLE’s handling of confidential information, as updates related to Fullen’s case were reportedly shared with outside parties.
Following extensive negotiations, Fullen’s attorneys, Tony Buzbee and Greg Cagle, reached an agreement with TCOLE for a retroactive probated suspension of Fullen’s peace officer license for a period prior to him assuming the office of Sheriff. This mediated agreement closes the matter completely and will have no impact Sheriff Fullen’s current status as a peace officer, his capacity to lead the sheriff’s office, or his continued commitment to serve the citizens of Galveston County, Texas."