‘Friendly face’ is moving on

By Rich Flowers

Tue, May 13 2008

— For the past 20 years, Carliss Hopkins has been the friendly face seen first by the public at the Department of Public Safety office in Athens.
Hopkins, who retires March 31, was honored with a come-and-go reception Thursday at DPS headquarters.
During her stay at DPS she’s worked with nine sergeants and dozens of highway patrol troopers. All of the troopers on the 1988 roster have retired except James Martin, Hopkins said.
“When I started, there were six troopers here. Now there are 10, counting the sergeant. I typed up all their warrants and accident reports in those days. Now that’s done by computer and the troopers do it,” Hopkins said.
For the past few years, Hopkins has lived in Tyler. Each work day starts with about a 40-minute drive down State Highway 31.
“It’s been a really rewarding position. I’ve liked it so much I drive 72 miles a day round trip to be here,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins came to DPS from the business world. She managed her own company on Hwy. 31 west of Athens for several years.
“I had my own business. We refurbished telephone parts for Western Electric. We served the whole state of Texas for 12 years and had 12 employees,” she said.
Hopkins was one of 40 applicants for the job at DPS. She soon learned the contenders had been cut to seven.
“I thought I’m the oldest one of the bunch, so I probably won’t get it,” she said. Well, she did.
Hopkins’ husband died in 1979. She has three children — Debbie Walton, Dana Wolfe and a son, Mark Hopkins.
“I have six beautiful granddaughters,” Hopkins said, “and I have nine great-grandchildren.”
When Hopkins started with the DPS, the office was located in the old law enforcement building on Larkin Street. Four years ago the headquarters was moved to the current location on U.S. Highway 175.
“I love the new office,” she said. “It’s so pleasant.”
Hopkins remembers seeing more foot traffic at the old location. Often people would walk in her office, thinking they had found the DPS drivers license office, which was further down the hall.
“I enjoyed talking to people when they’d come in,” Hopkins said. “There was always somebody that needed a listening ear.”
The DPS office has recently been in transition with a succession of sergeants in the last two years. Hopkins thinks the new leader, Bobbie Shields, will fit in well at the office and with the community.
“We’ve got a wonderful sergeant now. I think the county will be very well blessed,” Hopkins said. “We’re also going to get three new troopers, but that will be after I’ve left.”
The growth of Henderson County has meant more vehicles on the road, more traffic violations and more wrecks.
“We’ve seen the load of work increase. The troopers try to be out on the road so they can control the accidents. We have several highways where they have several,” she said.
Hopkins named Farm-to-Market Road 315 and FM 3441 as troublesome. The Highway Patrol sometimes works 40 to 50 wrecks in a month.
Though DPS is a state agency, Hopkins has been an employee of Henderson County. She has enjoyed her relationship with the county officials and employees.
“I’ll miss the people at the courthouse,” Hopkins said. “There are many young men and ladies who have been so good to me and never complained if there was something I needed for our office. If I could, I’d give them a rose,” she said.
After retirement, Hopkins expects to stay busy, just a little closer to home.
“I’ll probably get out and do volunteer work. Something where I can try to help somebody,” she said. “I’m not a person who likes to stay at home and watch TV. I may just come over here and bother everybody.”

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