Capt. John Pape currently serves as commander of law enforcement operations with the Goliad County Sheriff’s Office. He has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, including serving as Chief of Police for two Texas cities.
Pape is a highly-decorated veteran law enforcement officer, having been honored with his agency's Medal of Valor (twice), Medal of Merit, Lifesaving Award, and others. He has also been honored as Officer of the Year by such organizations as the Bar Association, Jaycees, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He spend much of his career investigating high-profile murder cases and cases of public corruption.
Pape began his law enforcement career in 1976 as a Police Officer in Lake Charles, La. He served as a patrol officer, homicide detective, internal affairs investigator and supervisor of internal affairs.
Pape also served as Chief of Police for the City of Mercedes, Tx. and, later, Chief of Police for the City of Weslaco, TX.
Pape is an honors graduate of the University of Alabama, and a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, as well as certifications as a Mental Health Officer, Sexual Assault/Family Violence Investigator, Cybercrime Investigator, Law Enforcement Instructor, and Evidence Technician.
A veteran law enforcement trainer, Pape has been a featured speaker for such diverse groups as the National League of Cities, International Year of the Family Global Conference, New Mexico Municipal League, Texas Municipal League, Texas Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association, a number of colleges and universities, and many more.
Pape has also authored five books, been a contributing author to a municipal management textbook, and penned numerous magazine articles.
