Travis Shelton, Chief of Police of the Fort Scott Police Department, will retire next month, after 26 years of service.

“My retirement system provides you can retire at age 50, after 25 years service,” Shelton said. “I turn 50 in February.”

“I love Fort Scott and love working for the City of Fort Scott,” he said. “It’s been an awesome career.”

But he is looking forward to retirement.

“I’ve never had more than a week off in my career,” he said. “The plan is to go fishing, get some things done around the house. Eventually the plan is to go to work somewhere else.”

Although he doesn’t have any jobs in mind, “I’d like to put some time in another job long term,” he said.

Shelton has held positions of officer, K9 Handler, sergeant, lieutenant, and chief of police.

He earned an associate of science degree from Fort Scott Community College, and a bachelor of science in criminal justice administration from Missouri Southern State University.

Shelton has served in the community on the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Board of Directors, as a member of the Kiwanis Club,a former board member at the Key Hole (Youth Center),a former adjunct instructor at Fort Scott Community College, anda former little league football coach.

His wife, Gina Shelton, is the USD 234 Business Manager / Board Clerk. He has a son, Nick, 22, and a daughter Maci,17 years old.

“My wife and I are planning on staying in Fort Scott,” Shelton said. “Gina likes her job and we have no intentions to move.”

Shelton’s last day will be February 28, 2023.