He joined the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office Reserve program in 1993 and became so interested in law enforcement that he made it his full time career in 1998. Since then, Deputy Tommy Shannon has worked continuously to make a difference. Like his twin brother Richie, Deputy Shannon feels he is in law enforcement for the right reasons – to serve. “Don’t let the badge and gun be the motive,” Deputy Shannon says. “Use your heart, and treat those less fortunate like they’re your own family.”

Deputy Shannon has had plenty of experience practicing what he preaches, and stories of his intense commitment to serve the community are known throughout the Sheriff’s Office. Like the time he met a homeless man with alcohol problems. Rather than merely admonish the man to move on his way, Deputy Shannon found someone who was willing to take the man under his wing, and together Deputy Shannon and his good Samaritan helped the stricken man get his life back together.

In another instance, Deputy Shannon met a legless man living in a dilapidated mobile home with his seriously-ill dog. Deputy Shannon’s gentle questioning of the man revealed that in his younger days the man had been a poster child for Jerry Lewis’ telethon. Deputy Shannon and the Sheriff’s Office secured a new mobile home for the man, and also found a vet who was willing to treat his pet for free.

“We get to touch many lives. Often when they call us, they are at the bottom of the barrel,” says Deputy Shannon. “You deal with people who have less and you realize that you are blessed to help them.”