Billy B. Ennis, age 76, of Texas City, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2009 at Mainland Medical Center in Texas City. Funeral services were held August 31, 2009 at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home with Reverend David Green officiating.

Billy was born April 7, 1933 in Weslaco, Texas to Clyde Ennis and Lela Asher Ennis. He joined the Marine Corp in 1950 with his mother's permission serving during the Korean War where he was stationed in Paris, France at the U.S. Embassy. After his military service he attended the University of Texas at Austin and in 1956 he joined the Texas Department of Public Safety where he remained until his retirement in 1977. After being bored with retirement he joined the Missouri City police department as a Lieutenant. While at Missouri City he started the Fort Bend County Law Enforcement Academy, now the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy where he instructed many new peace officers. After his retirement at Missouri City P.D. he was called to be Chief of Police at the Jamaica Beach Police Department from 1995 until 1999. After his tenure as Chief Officer Ennis enlisted as a reserve deputy with the Galveston County Sheriff's Office and was a Jamaica Beach City Councilman. Billy was a man of faith and a Presbyterian. Billy was an active law enforcement officer and among his many accomplishments he created the Citizens Police Academy in the State of Texas. In 1995 in recognition of his many contributions to Law Enforcement in Texas he was awarded in the Professional Achievement Award from the State of Texas by then Governor George W. Bush. In 2004 he received the outstanding service award from the Galveston County Sheriff's Office. He was also a graduate of the FBI Academy.

Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Fred Ennis and Cleve Ennis; survivors include wife of 25 years, Patricia Ann Ennis of Texas City; daughters, Tammy Skinner and husband Bobby of Jones Creek, Texas, Elvia Moeller and husband Mark of Houston, and Leslie Gremillion and husband Bill of Spring; sons, Kyle Warren of Texas City, and Ryan Warren of Texas City; grandchildren, Ashley Smith, Kayla Gremillion, Austin Gremillion, Sabina Moeller, Mark Moeller, Jr., Misty Gremillion, and Lindsey Bartay; 7 great grandchildren; his beloved pets, Ellie, Beau and Tinker; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Officer Ramon joined the Duncanville Police Department on July 21, 1975. During his 19 years with the Duncanville Police Department he served as Squad Officer, Motorcycle Officer and Crime Prevention Community- Relations Officer.

Officer Ramon found his niche in the Crime Prevention Community Relations Division. He worked with all segments of the community. He ran the department "Safety Town", which taught third grade students how to drive battery operated cars and ride bikes in a miniature city. He helped with a weekly TV show on the local cable channel and did the "stranger danger" program in all schools in the community as well as bike rodeos on school parking lots. Officer Ramon also worked with the senior citizens with the TRIAD, S.A.L.T. (Seniors And Law Enforcement Together) program.

In the fall of 1990 Officer Ramon, Sgt. Glenn Repp, and Mr. Tom Bryson the department Community Relations, Crime Prevention Coordinator and Public Information Officer graduated their First Citizens Police Academy Class. During the next three years Officer Ramon and Mr. Bryson helped several police departments in Texas and around the nation start their Citizen Police Academy programs. Officer Ramon worked with the Dallas police department to start their CPA program.

The request for information and class curriculum for starting a CPA became so great that Officer Ramon and Mr. Bryson approached Chief Michael Courville with the idea of a CPA Symposium. The Symposium was held in September of 1993 at the Duncanville City Hall with 47 officers and CPA Alumni in attendance.

The following year the Symposium was hosted by the Gainesville police department by Chief Carl Dunlap and Officer Buck Tatum with over 200 in attendance. Then on to Sugar Land police department hosted by Chief Earnest Taylor, where the TCPAA Convention was formed and talk of a National CPAA was first heard which did become a reality in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1998.

The Texas CPAAA annually presents the Ray Ramon award to a CPA police department coordinator in honor of Officer Ramon who with his co-worker Tom Bryson had an idea and made it happen! "Some watch things happen, others wonder what happened, and some Make Things Happen", thanks Ray.

Information for this article was supplied by Michael Courville, Police Chief Retired, who is currently with the Senior Crimestoppers organization.