"Man With a Very Fine Heart"
Marshal Bubba Rape Retires After a Record 28 Years of Service

Marcie Ellis / The Police News
Friday, November 13, 2009

JONES CREEK, TX --  "Bubba" Howard Rape, whose unique style of marshaling included never carrying a gun and cutting his salary by half for 9 years, to provide funding for an extra deputy, was honored for his 28 years of service as City Marshall to Jones Creek.
 
Dodie Armstrong, Staff Assistant to Congressman Ron Paul, presented Marshall Rape an American flag, which was flown over the Capitol in honor of Rape's dedication to the citizens of Jones Creek and Brazoria County.  Armstrong described Rape as "a man with a very fine heart". 
 
Rape began his career in law enforcement more than 40 years ago as a deputy with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office. He left the sheriff's office to run a body shop and wrecker service in the 1970s, before obtaining the Marshal's post in Jones Creek.  He served as a Brazoria County Deputy for 2 years---a 24-hour a day on call position.  In 1980, he ran for City Marshal and was defeated by 2 votes.  In 1982 he again ran for City Marshal and was elected.  He would continue his career with an astounding run of 13 more consecutive terms.
 
"His retirement is an end of an era.  He's more than just a Marshal, he has been a good friend to Jones Creek and Brazoria County." Brazoria County Sheriff Charles Wagner said.
 
Jones Creek Mayor George Mitchell commended Marshall Rape for his 28 years of tireless efforts for the City and said "he never left during a crisis, not once".
 
Jones Creek Village Councilman John Audas said "Bubba's probably one of the finest men I've ever had the privilege of knowing. "
 
Rape, who retires officially, November 17th at noon said that he would pursue ranching.
 
Jones Creek Marshal's Sgt. William Tidwell will take over for Rape upon his retirement, city officials said. Tidwell has been with the marshal's office for more than two decades.

Marshal Rape sits and listens then accepts American flag from Congressman Ron Paul assistant Dotie Armstrong

Speech, speech!. Rape thanks everyone including this table of local lawmen who also dream of retirement.

Brazoria County Sheriff Charles Wagner, Sgt. William Tidwell,
retiring Marshal Bubba Rape, former Brazoria County Sheriff Joe King, 
Jimmy Jones (retired investigator with Brazoria County DA's office)