Kevin Woods wears two titles, as referenced in his voicemail greeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Reverend Woods, or Deputy Woods.\u201d<\/p>\n
In practice, he saw those roles as one and the same.<\/p>\n
Over Woods\u2019 32 years as a Fort Worth marshal, he saw every day as an opportunity to help others and share joy \u2014 motives he said were fueled by his faith.<\/p>\n
His generosity manifested in ways both practical \u2014 helping people pay their rent or making sure someone he\u2019d arrested wouldn\u2019t have their car towed \u2014 and philanthropic. He started an \u201cadopt a family for Christmas\u201d program within the marshals\u2019 division, inspiring officers to buy Christmas presents for families in need.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Woods\u2019 decades-long devotion to serving others through public service earned him recognition in 52 Faces of Community<\/a>, Fort Worth Report\u2019s weekly series highlighting unsung heroes.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s why city officials directed him to the marshal\u2019s division, which at the time had more lenient physical standards.<\/p>\n The marshal division<\/a> 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\u2019s website.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s ultimate calling, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cKevin was always giving his time and helping those in need in the community. Even though he\u2019s no longer an employee, he\u2019s still connected and keeps finding ways to make our city a better place.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Jeanette Martinez, Fort Worth City Council member<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n But Woods didn\u2019t separate his ministerial pursuits from his day job as a marshal; rather, he saw them as working hand in hand.<\/p>\n Know an unsung hero in Tarrant County?<\/p>\n Tell us about them by filling out the form below. <\/p>\n \u201cI believe God gave me that (marshal) job to minister and to help the people, because I did more help than hurt,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t believe in hurting the people; I believed in helping the people.\u201d<\/p>\n Woods said his faith changed how he saw the people he arrested \u2014 not as criminals, but rather as \u201cpeople that were down on their luck.\u201d<\/p>\n That mindset often led Woods to share his faith with the people he arrested and pray for them if they asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I got you in the back seat of my car, you\u2019ve pretty much heard a sermon,\u201d Woods said with a laugh.<\/p>\n On one of Woods\u2019 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAt City Hall, Deputy Marshal Kevin Woods was a constant source of security and warmth,\u201d said council member Jeanette Martinez, who represents a portion of Fort Worth\u2019s eastside, where Woods lives and served the most as a marshal. \u201cHe\u2019s known for his strength, integrity and generosity.\u201d<\/p>\n In interviews, Woods was hesitant to talk about his service to others. He didn\u2019t want to take credit for what he sees as God\u2019s blessing in his life, enabling him to bless others.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just a giver, and when I see somebody in need \u2026 I\u2019m real frugal with my money, so if I can help, I\u2019ll help,\u201d Woods said.<\/p>\n Drew Shaw is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at drew.shaw@fortworthreport.org or @shawlings601<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n