08/15/2025
Please join us in congratulating Fonda O’Connor in her retirement after 39 years of faithful service to Parker County.
Fonda began her career in law enforcement at the Parker County Sheriff’s Office in 1986, as a telecommunications operator. She was appointed lead dispatcher in 1997.
She further earned the title of advanced telecommunicator in 2007, and earned master telecommunicator status and certification in 2020.
She was awarded the Sheriff’s Civilian Commendation in 2000, for excellence in administration practices in the communications division.
Over the decades, Fonda has been required to perform under pressure, while increasing her responsibilities as Parker County and the sheriff’s office grew, implementing safety practices, making judgement calls, while holding herself and her team accountable to state requirements and department policies while maintaining integrity and superior service.
Fonda stated she and her team have experienced countless highs and lows, calls that were humorous and calls which were devastating. She said she learned from each situation and counts each trial and joy as shaping not only the dispatch center, but herself.
“There were so many moments of laughter and there were some tears,” she said. “From loss of fellow employees and friends to calls of animals wandering where they were not welcome. I choose to take the good with the disappointments because they make us who we are.”
Throughout the years, Fonda kept the sheriff’s office and dispatch center up to date with proper training, state laws, advancements, techniques and technology.
She has been an invaluable part of the growth of the Parker County Sheriff’s Office and helped in its expansion by taking steps to improve telecommunications for the Parker County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens it serves.
Fonda was an instrumental part of the Sheriff’s Telecommunications Center being brought to state standards through the addition of state mandates, amended and changing laws, requirements and daily departmental operations.
During her tenure, Fonda has served under five Parker County Sheriffs including Billy Cain, Ben Whiteman, Jay Brown, Larry Fowler and current Sheriff Russ Authier.
“Fonda has grown to be a part of our agency,” said Sheriff Russ Authier. “She will certainly be missed, and we are glad to have had her as a part of our team.”
As of July 31, 2025, Fonda was said to have tied one other single employee for having the longest tenure of any Parker County employee.
For setting the bar in law enforcement standards and for your excellence in service we say, “Congratulations, Fonda, on your well-deserved retirement. Thank you for your impact, service and for a job well-done. Enjoy your new adventures.”
