Kevin Woods wears two titles, as referenced in his voicemail greeting.
“This is Reverend Woods, or Deputy Woods.”
In practice, he saw those roles as one and the same.
Over Woods’ 32 years as a Fort Worth marshal, he saw every day as an opportunity to help others and share joy — motives he said were fueled by his faith.
His generosity manifested in ways both practical — helping people pay their rent or making sure someone he’d arrested wouldn’t have their car towed — and philanthropic. He started an “adopt a family for Christmas” program within the marshals’ division, inspiring officers to buy Christmas presents for families in need.
Woods, 59, retired in January to spend more time as a minister. But he continues to give back to the communities he spent his career protecting.
Woods’ decades-long devotion to serving others through public service earned him recognition in 52 Faces of Community, Fort Worth Report’s weekly series highlighting unsung heroes.
Before Woods started his career in law enforcement in 1993, he applied for a position in the police or fire department, he said. He scored well on his written exam but twisted his ankle the week of his physical test. That’s why city officials directed him to the marshal’s division, which at the time had more lenient physical standards.
The marshal division is the enforcement arm of the Fort Worth Municipal Court. Marshals apprehend fugitives, protect the municipal judiciary staff and act as security in Fort Worth City Hall, according to Fort Worth’s website.
Working mostly on the east side of Fort Worth, Woods quickly made his way up the ranks in the division, all while holding part-time jobs in security and shift work. Before long, he started attending a seminary on the side to pursue a role in Christian ministry, which he viewed as God’s ultimate calling, he said.
“Kevin was always giving his time and helping those in need in the community. Even though he’s no longer an employee, he’s still connected and keeps finding ways to make our city a better place.”
Jeanette Martinez, Fort Worth City Council member
But Woods didn’t separate his ministerial pursuits from his day job as a marshal; rather, he saw them as working hand in hand.
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“I believe God gave me that (marshal) job to minister and to help the people, because I did more help than hurt,” he said. “I didn’t believe in hurting the people; I believed in helping the people.”
Woods said his faith changed how he saw the people he arrested — not as criminals, but rather as “people that were down on their luck.”
That mindset often led Woods to share his faith with the people he arrested and pray for them if they asked.
“If I got you in the back seat of my car, you’ve pretty much heard a sermon,” Woods said with a laugh.
On one of Woods’ final days with the city last January, he received a standing ovation from staff and council members, as they recognized his time serving Fort Worth.
“At City Hall, Deputy Marshal Kevin Woods was a constant source of security and warmth,” said council member Jeanette Martinez, who represents a portion of Fort Worth’s eastside, where Woods lives and served the most as a marshal. “He’s known for his strength, integrity and generosity.”
In interviews, Woods was hesitant to talk about his service to others. He didn’t want to take credit for what he sees as God’s blessing in his life, enabling him to bless others.
“I’m just a giver, and when I see somebody in need … I’m real frugal with my money, so if I can help, I’ll help,” Woods said.
Drew Shaw is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at drew.shaw@fortworthreport.org or @shawlings601.
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