After spending 30 years part of the Levelland Law Enforcement Communication Team, Margaret Golightly has retired.
Originally working short stints for the Hockley County Sheriff’s Department and Levelland Police Department in the 70s, Golightly returned to her dispatching role in April of 1993.
At the time, Chief Ted Holder brought back Golightly to dispatch with the condition that she work for at least five years. Making good on her promise, she worked under multiple chiefs of police and developed numerous relationships with law enforcement personnel and the public.
“At the time we had a lot of young officers and as time went on we continued to bring in wonderful men and women,” said Golightly. “We essentially grew to be a large family. We backed each other and supported each other.”
During those early days of working dispatch, Golightly explained that the environment was wonderful.
For most employees in any job, parents were required to leave kids with sitters or find caretakers, but Golightly remembers when the city allowed workers to bring their children to office when needed.
“It was unusual at the time, but I think that allowed us to grow closer to one another because we saw each others kids and families,” explained Golightly. “We knew husbands, wives and extended family which brought us closer. It was great.”
Between her first time working for the departments and her return, Golightly tried her hand in the oilfield when it was booming.
Working under J.G. and Gary Stacey at the time, Golightly explained that working under those individuals was wonderful as the industry was blooming.
It wasn’t until the downturn during that time that Golightly made the decision to return to dispatch.
“When I was talking to my mom, she encouraged me to return to dispatch as I was a single mother with three girls,” said Golightly. “She pushed me to find stability for me and my family.”
During her tenure in dispatch, she worked under Chief Holder, Chief Tony Cowan, Chief Tom McCain and finished her career under the current Chief of Police Albert Garcia.
While working with the department, creating those connections was easy for Golightly as one wrong turn could be a life or death situation.
“Officers could go out and could not come back home,” said Golightly. “I was in the safety of a building, but I cared tremendously about those guys. We prayed very hard and talked to each other and keep in touch with each other.”
For Golightly, when everybody came home and everything was okay, that is when she knew it was a good day.
“There were times were we lost one or two. Some came and went on to other places, but Levelland has been very fortunate to have the police department and sheriff’s department along with the 18 different agencies in Hockley County,” said Golightly. “I hope the public and community feel this way, but I feel very fortunate because I have been able to sit, watch it progress, build and get better.”
Golightly added that the Hockley community should feel good knowing there are individuals who are taking the responsibility to watch over the community throughout the day and night in case things happen.
“Everyday is not sunny, there are still some bad people in the world, but we have been fortunate to be watch over by wonderful officers,” said Golightly. “I take my hat off to every one of them and I love every one of them.”
Calling her career a wonderful ride, Golightly says she wouldn’t trade any of it for anything else.
A 30 year career in any field is a lot to ask of someone, but for Golightly being raised in Levelland and familiar with the community is what allowed her to feel comfortable to keep working in dispatch.
“It was a good feeling when people would call and they immediately knew it was me and I knew them,” explained Golightly. “I pray that I did the job well as I felt like this is where I needed to be.”
Golightly hopes the department feels comfortable on calling on her if she is needed and would like to continue to help dispatch in the future when she can.
“I enjoy this and this is my town. This is where I spent all my yesterdays. I thank God for being raised here,” said Golightly. “I had a lot of opportunities, good friends and wonderful coworkers.”
Thanking the department for her time, Golightly also spoke about her great friend Sylvia Corder who she met working through the department.
“We worked a lot of days together, but it is good to have people like that to work with,” explained Golightly. “She wasn’t the only person, but she was one of the closest ones. We just trudged it out together.”
Golightly wishes the department and all agencies within the county well as she knows they can only get better with time.