51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ

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June 2025

Alum heading South Plains anti-gang, anti-drug unit 

Tony Williams never set out to spend a career in law enforcement. But a ride-along with a neighbor who worked for the Lubbock Police Department sparked something in him, and the journey to his current role began.

A native of Coleman, Tony and a high school friend headed to the Lubbock area to attend South

Plains College back in the late 1990s, not confident they would be able to handle a university setting. Close to finishing his associate’s degree there, Tony started working and knew he was at a crossroads.

“It was to the point where I had to go back home or figure it out, and I really wanted to go back to school, so I joined the Marine Corps,” noted Tony, who today serves as captain of the narcotics division of the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Anti-Gang Center.

Since he was mostly in the reserves, Tony was able to stay in Lubbock and work. He found 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ's Lubbock Campus, which had a new home in the Plaza off 34^th Street and West Loop 289 at the time, and the flexibility of evening classes that didn’t interfere with his day job held great appeal. He and wife Jessica both enrolled to work on their bachelor’s degrees.

“I saw a billboard in town about being a policeman, and I had a neighbor who was a cop and told me I should become one. I told him it really wasn’t my thing, then I went and did a ride-along with him and we got into a pursuit,” recalls Tony. “I knew this was what I wanted to do, so I applied and got into the Lubbock Police Academy. I put my degree on pause while I went through the academy.”

Halfway through that journey, Tony’s reserve unit was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and he spent a year there. After returning, he restarted the academy and started back to 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ to finish his degree, earning his BSOE in criminal justice in 2006. The degree meant a slight raise in his patrolman’s salary, which was welcomed at the time.

After 13 years with the Lubbock Police Department – split between stints on patrol, on the SWAT team and in special operations – Tony got the invitation to join a former LPD coworker on the special unit he was leading to work in narcotics. Eager to get out of the patrol uniform, he said yes. At the time, the unit was only comprised of six officers, and he enjoyed the change of pace and new focus.

“One of the most dangerous roles is patrol. But in this role, I know the targets we’re chasing; we study them and I know what I’m getting into, since I did undercover stuff at the PD,” noted Tony, who took his role over narcotics under the umbrella of the Texas Anti-Gang Center. He explained that TAG is a joint operation between Lubbock PD, the Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

“The unit blew up from 10 guys to close to 70 in the building now,” Tony added, noting that about two years when his boss left, he was promoted to captain of the unit. “Lubbock County is the fiduciary of the TAG. All my guys are task force officers with DEA so we have dual credentials, and about two years ago I became the group supervisor for DEA HIDTA (High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area). We do have DEA agents, an ATF agent, homeland security agent, one DPS officer and three PD guys in that group.”

The group also has a five-man K-9 unit and a full-time SWAT team. But besides being on the streets fighting crime, the group is active in educational pursuits as well, with HIDTA presenting often on the fentanyl crisis.

“We’ve presented that to 26,000 people and in almost all the schools in the area. We even got a

national award for that and got to go to Washington, D.C. to receive it,” added Tony. “(The presentation) is very real, and we show the real overdoses and what happens to people in this area. We don’t use outside examples.”

Tony explained that the unit works gang and drug crimes in Lubbock, many violent crimes that often overlap. The TAG group covers narcotics more on the street level, while HIDTA works on more long-term drug conspiracy cases.

“Our goal is to cut the dope coming into Lubbock. In my opinion, putting users in prison doesn’t do anything. Users need help. But they make their decisions and commit crimes, and they will pay for those things,” he said. “But if I’m going to waste a lot of time on money and drugs and do an investigation, I want to cut the supplier off. Our job is to run up the chain, and our guys have done a good job at that on the fentanyl side. We can tell if we’re doing our job by the pricing. If it’s cheap, we’re not doing our job. If it’s getting more expensive, we know we’re making a dent.”

He noted that the various entities work well together under the shared mission and passion to clean up the South Plains area. He said while many cities do not enjoy this collaborative relationship, Lubbock is fortunate to have leaders who understand the value of working together.

The unit covers 15 counties, with Lubbock the hub of the operation (also includes Bailey, Lamb, Hale, Floyd, Motley, Dickens, Cochran, Hockley, Dickens, Kent, Garza, Lynn, Terry and Yoakum). Since many of those other counties are sparsely populated and may only have one small sheriff’s office working the area, the TAG Unit is available to step in and assist with issues that require more manpower. That includes offering training centrally and at no charge to help these smaller counties.

Tony said the work has changed over the decades he’s been in law enforcement, with gang activity looking very different than the “crips and bloods” days. SWAT work is different too, and drug-related crime is rampant, even in the Bible belt where Lubbock is centered.

“This is going to sound weird, but our most dangerous drug right now is marijuana, and it’s not even close. And it’s in small amounts, but there is so much money behind it that these kids are chasing it,” he said. “What makes weed so dangerous is the money behind it and the way it’s being dealt. When I first started in narcotics, you had to know somebody who knew somebody who could take you to someone with a supply. These kids now will make a fake name on a social media account and advertise a menu of drugs they have.”

Despite the rigors of the job, which can include long hours and dangerous encounters, Tony said the work is enjoyable.

“It’s fun and rewarding. When a woman calls about problems on her block and we can run them out of there, she’ll be as thankful as can be. Or if we get a load of fentanyl, we know that’s not going to go to some young person and kill them. So there is some reward at the end of it. Having people tell me that because of our presentation they never picked up a joint or pill and are about to graduate… that makes you feel good.”

 

Devotional: Joy in Jesus

 

Scripture:

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
— Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

Reflection:

Life can be full of ups and downs, twists and turns that sometimes leave us feeling drained, worried, or even hopeless. Yet, as followers of Jesus, we have a joy that doesn’t depend on our circumstances. This joy comes from being in His presence and walking the path He sets before us.

Jesus said in John 15:11,
"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

Notice that He doesn’t just offer us happiness — which can be fleeting and based on what’s happening around us — but a deep, abiding joy that fills our hearts completely.

When we focus on Jesus, His love, grace, and the hope of eternal life, joy naturally springs forth inside us. This joy empowers us to face life’s challenges with confidence, peace, and a thankful heart.

Application:

• Start each day by inviting Jesus into your heart and mind. Ask Him to fill you with His joy.

• When worries or hardships come, remind yourself that your joy is rooted in Jesus, not your circumstances.

• Share your joy with others — a joyful heart is contagious and a powerful testimony of Christ’s love.

• Meditate on scriptures that celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness to strengthen your joy.

In the Mix

Share Your Story, Inspire Others!

We’re getting ready for the next edition of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ Alumni Magazine—and we want to hear from YOU!

Our alumni publication is a celebration of Pioneer pride, highlighting the remarkable journeys, achievements, and memories of our 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ family. As we prepare for the upcoming issue, we’re reaching out for your ideas, stories, and suggestions. Whether you have a personal milestone to share, a classmate doing amazing work, or a topic you'd love to see covered, your voice can help shape this edition.

Here’s how you can contribute:

• Share personal or professional updates (new job, retirement, award, family news)

• Suggest feature stories or alumni spotlights

• Recommend campus memories or historical photos

• Offer feedback or creative ideas for future content

We welcome input from all generations of alumni—your insights help us honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future.

Submit your ideas or updates by July 19th by emailing our Alumni Director: veraj@wbu.edu 

Let’s make this magazine a true reflection of the vibrant, inspiring 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ community!

 

 

 

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