Travis Shelton, Chief of Police of the Fort Scott Police Department, has reached a milestone, 25 years with the department.

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 is involved in the community as well.

“I am currently on the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the Kiwanis Club, former board member at the Key Hole (Youth Center), former adjunct instructor at Fort Scott Community College, and former little league football coach,” he said.

For Shelton, the best part of his career has been the people in the community, he said.

“Unlike other parts of our country in today’s world, we have a lot of support from our community,” Shelton said. “Fort Scott is a great place to live and work with people who genuinely want what is best for our city.”

Shelton said the greatest challenge as chief of police is recruiting and retaining qualified police applicants and officers.

“This is one of the biggest challenges police departments across the country have at this point in time,” he said.

His wife, Gina Shelton, is the USD 234 Business Manager / Board Clerk. He has a son, Nick, 21, and a daughter Maci,16 years old.