WINDCREST, Texas – In a surprising turn of events, Jimmie Cole, the former police chief of Windcrest, has decided to dismiss his lawsuit against the city. This decision comes 14 months after Cole accused city council members of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act when they fired him in late 2024.
Cole officially dropped the lawsuit with prejudice this month, meaning he cannot bring it back to court. The announcement was made by Windcrest Mayor Dan Reese during a city council meeting on Monday night.
Mayor Reese shared that Cole made this personal decision due to “private, family-related considerations.” He emphasized that the dismissal does not reflect the merits of the case or the positions of any involved parties, and he requested respect for Cole’s privacy during this difficult time.
Jimmie Cole was terminated from his position in mid-December 2024, following complaints from officers about his management style, as well as an employee engagement survey that labeled the police department’s culture as “highly toxic.” His dismissal also came after he faced criticism for filing multiple ethics complaints against council members and residents.
In his lawsuit, filed in February 2025, Cole alleged that the city council had engaged in secretive meetings to discuss his job performance, rather than addressing it in an open forum as required by law. This claim highlighted concerns regarding transparency and accountability in local government.
As this situation unfolds, it raises important questions about leadership, ethics, and public trust in Windcrest’s local government. The implications of Cole’s dismissal and the council’s actions will likely be discussed in the community for some time.
