Officer Justine Levisee: From Army Uniform to Corrections Officer: A Veteran's Journey of Dedication and Honor
Jonathan Ede, CJM, MSCJ
In the spirit of honoring veterans who continue to serve their communities, it is an honor to be able to shine a spotlight on one of Travis County’s finest, Officer Justine Levisee. With a distinguished military background and a compassionate commitment to public service, she exemplifies the qualities of a true hero. Let’s delve into her story and discover how she has become an integral part of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) family through her servant leadership mindset.
Officer Justine Levisee served in the U.S. Army on active duty for a total of 6.5 years, with an additional six years in the Reserve and two years in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR). During her time on active duty, she was stationed at Fort Hood, now known as Fort Cavazos. Officer Levisee continues to serve in the Reserves, working toward her retirement while balancing her duties at TCSO. She is currently assigned to the 994th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services in Round Rock, Texas, where she is a 74D (CBRN Specialist). She also serves as the Master Driver Instructor and the Body Composition Program NCO for her unit.
Levisee currently has eight years of experience in the field of corrections. She describes her transition from the military to the sheriff’s office as seamless due to the great assistance provided by Recruiter Vince Galloway. His involvement with her hiring process played a crucial role in her smooth integration. She initially applied for a civilian position, but on test day was encouraged by Galloway to pursue the path of a corrections officer. Following his advice, she successfully joined the sheriff’s office and quickly acclimated to her new role. Her military experience in physical fitness, personnel management, and time management proved invaluable during this transition period.
Officer Levisee’s military background continues to influence her work in the field of corrections. Her prior experience has provided her with the necessary skills and mindset to adapt quickly and excel in her chosen profession. The discipline instilled during her military service helps her maintain a strong officer bearing, manage challenging situations, and perform her duties with efficiency and professionalism.
Driven by her passion for drill and ceremony activities cultivated during her time in the Army, she became a part of the honor guard in 2017. Inspired by retired Deputy Maria Chandler and witnessing the extraordinary dedication displayed by everyday officers in the Honor Guard, she was motivated to join their ranks. Being a part of the Honor Guard holds deep meaning for Levisee. It fills her with immense pride and honor to represent her agency, especially when providing funeral honors to fallen law enforcement officers and being the first and last face the families see during such solemn moments. Participating in her own agency’s line of duty funeral was an unforgettable experience, as she had the opportunity to provide support and care to the fallen deputy’s family, leaving a lasting impact on her.
Those with military experience generally come with invaluable qualities to the various roles within the sheriff’s office, and this was no different for Levisee in her role with the TCSO Honor Guard. Her military discipline ensures that funeral honors are conducted with utmost respect and reverence. Additionally, her ability to portray a strong officer bearing represents the agency’s values effectively, whether in person or through media appearances.
Levisee doesn’t only wear an Army and sheriff uniform. Outside of her professional duties, she is an accomplished martial artist, holding a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo. She serves as an assistant instructor at her dojang, where she imparts her knowledge and skills to students of all ages several times a week. Her commitment to continuous improvement sees her training on weekends and between classes to keep her skills sharp. Levisee is also part of a small travel team that performs Taekwondo demonstrations in the community, spreading the joy of martial arts at events and assisted living facilities.
Her dedication to her martial arts discipline has led her to participate in several prestigious competitions, including the Texas State Taekwondo Championship, USA Taekwondo Nationals, 2023 Michigan Hanmadang, Dallas International Taekwondo Championship, Austin Taekwondo Friendship Games, the Texas Cup, and the Great Lakes Cup. Her achievements include holding the national title (first place) for board breaking in her age division and belt rank, as well as finishing third nationally in Poomsae for the same division and rank. With over 20 local and state tournaments under her belt, she consistently places in the top three positions.
Looking ahead, Officer Levisee’s martial arts career is focused on earning a better national ranking through rigorous training and participation in local, state, and national tournaments. Her ultimate goal is to earn a podium spot at the next national-level tournament in September, which will grant her an invitation to try out for the 2024 U.S. Taekwondo Team (Team USA)
Levisee is one of many veterans who work at TCSO. Each one of them brings a unique story and exemplary qualities, adding value in support of our agency’s mission and vision.
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Jonathan Ede CJM, MSCJ, is a Captain with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in Austin Texas, assigned to Health Services Security and Infrastructure. He has over 18 years of experience in the field of corrections and is a dually certified Master Jailer