Chief of Police John Ortis

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John's career in law enforcement commenced in 2007 when he was appointed as a corrections officer in the jail division of the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office. Over the years, he was promoted to Training Sergeant and quickly advanced to the rank of Captain of Security. In 2011, at the age of 38, John completed the police academy and was subsequently selected to join the Granite Shoals Police Department as a patrol officer. During his tenure in Granite Shoals, he has concentrated on public and community service. John holds several certifications, including Master SWAT Operator and Advanced Peace Officer, and is an advanced instructor specializing in patrol officer tactics and narcotics investigations. He is recognized for his significant contributions to local charitable organizations, such as the Christmas Outreach and Operation Fill the Boat. His dedication to community service earned him statewide recognition in 2018 when he received the State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Public Service from Governor Gregg Abbott; this prestigious award is bestowed upon only 20 of approximately 81,000 officers each year. John was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2019, to Captain in December 2021, and subsequently became Chief of Police in October 2022. He is currently pursuing completion of Leadership Command College, with the goal of retiring in the community where he began his law enforcement career.

An interesting fact about John is that, prior to his well-known role as a police officer in Granite Shoals, he was a pit crew member for Granville Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, a wrangler on a ranch in Colorado and New Mexico, and a ranch foreman on a Longhorn breeding ranch right here in the Texas Hill Country.

Captain Chad Taliaferro

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Chad Taliaferro commenced his law enforcement career in 1993 as a jailer with the McCulloch County Sheriff’s Department. He subsequently transitioned to the Collin County Sheriff’s Department, where he continued his role as a jailer. In 1997, Chad relocated to Marble Falls, taking on the position of Animal Control Officer with the Marble Falls Police Department. In 2000, he attended the police academy and subsequently served as a Patrol Officer and later as a Patrol Sergeant for the Marble Falls Police Department. In 2010, Chad joined the Burnet County Sheriff’s Department, where he held various roles including Patrol Deputy, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, and Investigator, specializing in automobile thefts. In October 2019, Chad became a Patrol Officer with the Granite Shoals Police Department, and he was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in January 2022. Most recently, he advanced to the position of Captain in June 2023. Chad holds several law enforcement certifications, including his Master Peace Officer Certification.