TAVTI SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Each year, TAVTI awards at least four (4) $500 college scholarships to chosen applicants who are children/dependents of active TAVTI members in good standing for at least two years, and who display exemplary leadership skills, academic achievement and career aspirations.  This award is funded by the TAVTI annual golf tournament that occurs on the Monday of our annual conference as well as by memorial donations in honor of passed members, Investigator Jim Woods and Investigator Troy Blando, both of Houston Police Department.  

Investigator Jim Woods was retired from Houston Police Department, where he served for nearly 30 years, with over 20 years spent in the Auto Theft Division.  He was an active member of TAVTI for more than 25 years and served in every executive position of the organization, including president.  In addition to his work on the TAVTI executive board, Investigator Woods acted as the chairperson for many committees and was instrumental as a mentor to numerous vehicle crimes detectives throughout the United States.

Investigator Troy Blando was a 19-year veteran of the Houston Police Department and member of the Auto Theft Division when he was shot and killed on May 19, 1999, while working an undercover auto theft assignment investigating stolen license plates at a Houston motel.  He was an exceptional officer in all assignments but excelled in the field of vehicle crime investigations.  He was considered a pillar of the vehicle crime investigation community, and he was a role model for countless officers throughout Texas.

To make an honorary donation to the TAVTI Scholarship Fund, checks may be made payable to the TAVTI Scholarship Fund and mailed to:

     TAVTI
     c/o Kat Anderson
     4251 FM 2181, Ste 230-521
     Corinth, Texas 76210

In the memo field, please indicate “In Memory of . . . (memoriam name)”. Those wishing to make a donation by credit card can call Treasurer Kat Anderson at 806-787-5133.

Scholarship recipients are announced at the TAVTI Annual Conference.  The next conference will be held October 8 – 11, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas.  Depending on funds raised through the golf tournament and memorial donations, the number of scholarships and amounts may increase, based on the discretion of the TAVTI Scholarship Committee.

Please click below to access the eligibility requirements and the scholarship application.  If you are unable to access the document below, please call or e-mail Michelle Lanham at 817-291-7208 or tavtiscrc@gmail.com to receive the documents via e-mail.

2024 TAVTI Scholarship Requirements/Form – Fillable Word Format