They say things happen for a reason. Back in 2010 or 2011 I got a DWI in Parker County, Weatherford. I was arrested by a state trooper and taken to their jail. I woke up in pain, hungover and barely functioning the next day in the intake cell with 15 other people. I had given in and called my parents for help late the night before. The guards called my name and I was taken to Sheriff Larry Fowler’s office where my parents were waiting and I cried like a baby. Larry was kind but stern. It turns out he was a close friend of my parents and helped them bail me out.
Fast forward a few months later, while on probation in Parker County I was arrested in Tarrant County for a DWI after crashing my father-in-law’s car into a telephone pole by TCU’s dormitories. I have no recollection of that night except for staggering out of the car and waiting for the police and telling them to arrest me. I woke up the next morning in Mansfield jail with no idea what happened. I called my husband who was not sympathetic to my plight, actually he was quite furious with me. I refused to call my parents, I just couldn’t ask them for help again. Brett left me in there for 3 days and it was awful. I finally got out and I knew a reckoning was coming.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and I knew that Parker County was going to put out a warrant for me since I had violated probation. I got pulled over in Tarrant County and they arrested me for the warrant in Parker County. They took me downtown and booked me and put me in a cell with other women to wait for Parker County to come and pick me up. Turns out they are not in a great hurry to get people in other counties so after a week I was still there. I had made friends with the woman across from my bed but the woman below her hated me and I have no idea why. She told me she was gonna beat my ass. My friend saved me by standing up to her but that just made her even madder and I knew she was going to come for me. I made a frantic phone call to my parents telling them that my days were numbered. They called Larry and the next day Parker County came to get me and 2 others. I have never been so relieved.
Once I got to Parker County I was released until my court date after meeting with Larry who let me know how disappointed everyone was in me. About 30 days later I went to court and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. They handcuffed me and took me back to Parker County jail. I was booked and put into a trustee jail cell. About 30 minutes later they came and got me and took me to Sheriff Fowler’s office, which was connected to the jail. He informed me that I would be the trustee for the Sheriff’s office and that I would be cleaning their offices. He also talked to me and told me what he expected from me. He let me know that he would be watching me. The next day my job began I was cleaning all bathrooms including the men’s room, their offices, the 911 offices and more. It was the only time I was allowed out of my cell and I was grateful to be out.
The weekends were the longest since you stay in your cell 24 hours a day. Larry came down twice to check on me. I thought I was doing 20 days but towards the end I found out my parents nor Brett were not going to pay my restitution so they had added on 10 extra days to pay it. I was devastated but understood why they did not want to pay since they had paid so much already.
Larry was the reason I was a trustee and he checked on me often. While cleaning his office he would counsel me while also reprimanding me but he was so kind. He didn’t talk down to me and he treated me as an equal. The day finally came when I was going to be released and I was in his office dying to leave. He did it by the book and I was released at the same time I got there, to the minute. Larry told me that if I was ever arrested again in his county he would see to it that I would have a much worse time than this time and I believed every word he said. Then he gave me a hug and told me, you can do it.
Leaving jail was humbling and I was determined to never come back and I have not. Every year I would send a Christmas card to Larry and tell him it has been a year and how much I appreciated him and that he helped me so much. Every year I sent him a Christmas card and let him know 3, 4 ,5, 6, 10 years and I am still on the right path and thank you for your kindness.
Sheriff Larry Fowler made an impact on my life. I later found out that he was the best man at my parents wedding.and he was my father’s first boss. I just cannot believe this force of life is gone and I think it will be hard to find a replacement for him. He was tough but empathetic, strong and was the best Sheriff that Parker County has ever had. I mourn his loss and I want to say that he made an impact on many, many people’s lives. Rest in peace Larry and know that you are missed by many. Thanks for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
The night is calling... 
Ashley, thank you for writing this post about Dad. It encapsulates the way he lived his life. It’s been a very hard week and I still don’t know how I stumbled onto your blog. But, I guess it was just a God thing. The very last line really spoke to me. You see, there was someone in Dad’s life who saw the good in him when he couldn’t even see it in himself. He said those exact words to me when speaking of this person. So, when I read it, I really felt like Dad was letting me know he’s still here and he’s still got me. And he expects us all to continue to pay it forward. Thank you, again, Ashley, for sharing your story. God bless….
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to lose your father. I cried writing this blog and reading your response. He really turned my life around and helped me through one of the darkest times in my life. I felt compelled to write this story to honor his memory. I think it was definitely a God thing that we connected. My parents, particularly my father, were very close to Larry. I call him Larry here but I always called him sir in his presence to show my respect. I hope you find healing and peace although I imagine it may take some time. God bless you and your family.
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Hi Ashley. You do not know me. My name is James West and I am from Victoria B.C. , Canada. I have also started writing a blog. Your willingness to share enables people to discover connections between yourself and other people. It is the interactions and communications that open people’s minds to how positive reinforcements can actually help. I am happy the small amount of mercy and guidance that was shown to you , helped improve your life. Sheriff Larry saw his friend’s baby girl was going through a tough time and he made an effort to show some compassion to you. So happy you made the most out of it. From my experience as a male , I am used to seeing zero compassion from inside the system. My point is that you were given a small gift and I hope you have the chance to help someone in need. Just like you were in need. Your opportunity may not come by helping or showing compassion to someone in jail but we all know people going through tough times. The best way to show your appreciation may be by showing some compassion for someone who is in need. Who knows , maybe this act of kindness may start a trend of people being compassionate towards each other. Don’t get me wrong ; do not waste it on people who will not appreciate it ! Just a thought. Congrats on your years of doing well. With Respect J.
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