Walk into the Beaumont police department and you’ll see hanging on the wall, the pictures of police chiefs past. Among them, Tom Scofield, former Police Chief from 1993 to 2005. Scofield unfortunately died Friday at the age of 71. According to current Beaumont Chief of Police Jim Singletary, Scofield died in his sleep.
“Tom and I came on the police department at the about the same time,” recalled Chief Singletary. “Feels like a hundred years ago now.”
Singletary recalls working the midnight shift in the south end of Beaumont with Scofield in the 70’s when the two first started.
“The thing about Tom that I think carried on his entire career, he did a good job, he was a good cop, but he made it fun, when you could,” said Singletary.
Singletary says Scofield was funny man, with a strong Christian faith, a great father and husband, and above all else, an outstanding police officer.
“He always seemed to make the right decision even though there were some tough decisions some times,” said Singletary.
His death is even felt in Nederland as well where Nederland Chief of Police, Darrell Bush, says their careers have mirrored each other.
“I think he was very fair, and did a good job in dealing with his employees, and with the public,” said Bush, Nederland Police Chief since 2001.
Not only has Bush lost a professional counterpart, but he says he has lost a friend of 35 years.
“(I’m) just heartbroken, I’ve lost a good friend and our area has lost a good leader,” said Bush.
Funeral services for Tom Scofield will be held at 5 pm on Tuesday march 27th at Broussard’s funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the 100 Club of Southeast Texas.