Former HPD Chief Troy Finner Remembers Mayor Sylvester Turner

A Leader's Impact and Legacy

• 💖 Sylvester Turner is remembered for his spirit and ability to make others feel important and cared for, a quality he maintained throughout his career as a state senator, mayor, and congressperson.
• 🎯 He is described as a smart and tough mayor on crime, whose legacy includes attracting and uniting people during crises.
• 🤝 Turner's leadership during the George Floyd protests is highlighted, emphasizing his role in fostering community relationships that prevented riots in Houston.
• 😂 Despite serious times, he possessed a great quality of bringing humor to the room, often following stern moments with a laugh.

Leadership and Public Service

• 🔑 Appointed Police Chief by Turner, Troy Finner recalls being chosen for his community engagement, leadership, and drive to reduce crime.
• 🛡️ Turner, like Finner's father, believed that criticism and taking arrows are part of public service, stating, "People are not talking about you and they're not throwing spears at you and rocks at you. You're not doing anything."
• 🙏 A man of deep faith, Turner put God first, which guided his actions in treating people right, doing his job, and holding others accountable.

Lessons from a Mayor

• 🌟 Sylvester Turner is likened to great athletes who made everyone around them better, elevating teams and individuals in any situation.
• 💡 His advice to the next mayor was pragmatic: "You can't please everybody. And if you try and please everybody, you won't please anybody."
• ⚖️ He consistently took responsibility, never pointing fingers, and focused on making the best decisions for the citizens of Houston, embodying the philosophy, "That's life."