KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
December 3, 2024
By Natalie Cook Clark
After 40 years in law enforcement service, Harris County Constable and Katy resident Ted Heap will retire the end of this month. Over his career, he’s grown Precinct 5 by developing new programs, divisions, and providing strong leadership for those who serve the Katy area and beyond.
All pictures courtesy of Constable Ted Heap
“It’s a little bit scary because this is all I’ve known for four decades,” says Harris County Constable Ted Heap. “You become bonded and now I’ll be stepping out of it. I got into law enforcement to help people. It’s a vocation of service.”
The Decision to Retire
Constable Heap didn’t take the decision to not run for re-election last month lightly. He gave it much thought and consideration but ultimately decided that it was the right time. Terry Allbritton, the current Assistant Chief will take on the role effective midnight on January 1, 2025.
“In a perfect world, I would have run again. But if you don’t know the county then it can hinder the department. I don’t want people to live election to election,” explains Heap, who felt that both candidates who expressed interest to him to run would be good choices for the community and the department.
“It’s important to do what is right and not what is easy,” stresses Heap. “The department is in a very good place. It is the time for me to give back to Jennifer (his wife of 41 years,) my kids, and grandchildren.”
Building Programs and Divisions
For 40 years, Ted Heap has served in law enforcement and has held a position in just about every department. In 2017 he was elected Harris County Constable and throughout his time in the role has further developed Precinct 5 by creating new programs and divisions, emphasizing the importance on community outreach programs that will continue to serve the Katy area and beyond.
“In the 31 years, I have worked in law enforcement and the last 8 years under Constable Ted Heap, I have watched him grow Harris County Constable Precinct 5 in such a manner it will truly have a positive impact on the community for decades to come,” says Assistant Chief Damian Ruffino. “Constable Heap has always led with integrity, honor and will always put his family, faith, law enforcement family and community first.”
Ted Heap and his wife Jennifer early in his career.
Constable Heap is responsible for the creation of programs such as: Uniformed Investigators, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, High Water Rescues, Major Offenders, Animal Crimes, Community and Media Relations, Victims Assistance, Silver Watch Program, Online Crime Tips, Citizens Police Academy and also acquired a license from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards Education to become a Training Provider for the State of Texas.
“I enjoy taking things from nothing to something,” says Heap. “We took a concept and made it county wide with the Harris County first Environmental Crimes that addresses illegal dumping and pollution crimes.”
The Animal Cruelty division partners with the Houston Humane Society. The program is now county wide and has helped to get laws changed that different departments have picked up.
“It’s not about being the only one or the one to get credit, it’s about helping who we serve,” says Heap.
Working with the Many Law Enforcement Departments in Katy
Heap also stresses the importance of the success he and the department have found through communication. The Katy area is home to many law enforcement departments. Heap says that the key to good law enforcement is effective communication.
“It takes work and pushing politics aside,” explains Heap. “We all want to together to get bad people off the streets.”
This is something that he has stressed during his time as Constable. By sharing information between departments Heap has been able to build relationships with other departments that help the community he serves. Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 5 area served includes 49% of unincorporated Harris County.
“Under Constables Heap’s leadership the Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 5 progressed in ways we had not experienced under previous administrations,” says Assistant Chief Romeo Chapa II. “First and foremost, the agency significantly expanded its diversity of personnel, additionally a variety of new specialized divisions were created which allowed personnel to have more options when it came to transfers and assignments. What cannot be understated is Constable Heap’s level of compassion for the people that work for him.”
A Focus on Neighborhood Safety
Under Constable Heap’s leadership, Precinct 5 has focused a lot on property crimes like garage break-ins and stolen bikes.
“We have to stop the cycle,” explains Heap. “We gather information and send to investigators so that residents know that someone cares.”
Community safety has always been his highest priority. “I want to know that my wife can go to the store and be ok,” says Heap. “It makes me sad that my grandchildren may not have the kind of childhood that and that is why we focus on neighborhood safety,” adds Heap.”
Heap shares that his greatest challenges have been working with advancing technology and maintaining his two biggest points of success; increased visibility and increased response time.
Challenges and Frustrations
“The hardest thing I’ve experienced is to see the violence and have our officers killed in the line of duty, to see what that does to a department when we grieve together,” explains Heap. “It’s scary when you swear in a 21-year-old. The response is so great, but will they have the opportunity to get to where I am.”
His biggest frustration over his years of service is the lack of closure. For example, when Corporal Charles Galloway of Precinct 5 was shot and killed in 2022, the department caught those responsible and in two years a trial date has yet to be set.
A Passion for Community Outreach
Community outreach has always been a focus for him and his Precinct 5 department. Programs such as the Citizen’s Police Academy, Silver Watch, Teen Academy, Internet Safety and more not only serve the purpose to help the community but for officers and residents to learn from each other.
“With these programs we can prevent crimes through situational awareness,” says Heap.
A Witness to Katy History
Heap grew up in the area and use to drive around Katy when it was still rice fields and very much farm and ranch lands. He’s witnessed changes for good and bad over his years of service and though his family will ultimately retire and move to the Texas hill country, the Katy area will always be his home.
“Katy has so much going for it. Values, standards, the expectation of what makes Katy, Katy,” says Heap. “I hope it stays the same even with the growth.”
His Hope for the Future
As for the department, he hopes that Precinct 5 will continue to grow, but in the ability to serve. He wants the men and women who serve there to do their jobs without fear so that they can grow to serve the community.
Heap is a believer in strong and effective leadership and hopes that he has taught the great people of his department that value.
“The greatest compliment to a supervisor is to see someone pass you up,” says Heap. “Do the best you can, step away and let someone else take it on.” This is exactly what he will do when Terry Allbritton replaces him as Harris County Constable on January 1, 2025.
A Strong Faith
In addition to a lifelong career in law enforcement, Ted Heap has always been loyal to the church and has served as an ordained Deacon for 23 years at St. Edith Stein Catholic Church in Katy. He will continue to serve in his faith in retirement.
Currently he and his wife Jennifer and son Andrew live in Green Trails, but they plan to eventually move to the Canyon Lake area where they have land. With two sons and three grandchildren, Heap will focus his retirement on his family.
Heap is a die-hard romantic who has kept all of his love letters to his wife. He also loves to cook and plans to do a lot of that in retirement.
“Spouses sacrifice so much for those who work in law enforcement. It’s now time for me to give my time to Jennifer and our family,” says Heap.
Katy Magazine is thankful for all the support and service that Constable Ted Heap has shown the Katy people over the years. Thank you for your service.
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