In the dramatic book, “Faces of Evil” written by Lois Gibson, she described Darcus Shorten as a “Rookie Homicide Detective,” who entered her office to do a reconstruction sketch of a little girl who had been found half-submerged in a watery ditch. That case is one of many criminal cases Darcus has investigated which has pioneered her life and career as a Houston Police Officer. Born in Houston, Texas to Jerry and Audrey Shorten, Darcus always had a desire to be in Law Enforcement.
Darcus Shorten graduated in 1980 from the High School for Health Professions, and attended Prairie View A&M University where she studied Nursing and Mass Communications. In 1984 Darcus entered The Houston Police Academy under Class 125, and upon graduation, was assigned to the Central Patrol Division, where she patrolled the Downtown and Midtown areas of Houston, Texas. In 1986, Darcus was transferred to the Traffic and Accident Division, where her assignment was investigating vehicle fatalities and police vehicle accidents. During that time, Darcus received her Advance Certification in Accident Investigations.
Darcus Shorten continued her pursuit in Criminal Investigations by being accepted to the Juvenile Division, where she investigated crimes where juveniles were suspects, and later conducted investigations into physical and sexual abuse of children. In 1989, Darcus received her Intermediate Certification in Child Abuse and Prevention. Darcus was later placed on special assignment as a Vice Officer. During that period, she conducted undercover operations in areas of solicitation of prostitution.
In December of 1995, Darcus tested and applied for the Houston Police Department Homicide Division, and was accepted. Darcus first assignment was an Investigator in the Family Violence Unit. Darcus worked all family related criminal cases, and has completed the SAFVIC (Sexual Assault Family Violence Investigator Course). In 2001, Darcus career in the Homicide Division led her to the Murder Squad, where she conducted investigations into Homicides, children’s death, and kidnappings. In 2003, Darcus completed training in Kidnapping Investigations and also received training in Profiling Criminal Behavior.
During her time as a Homicide Detective, Darcus investigated many Homicide Scenes including the more high profile cases such as, “The Angel Doe” Case, and the “Acres Homes” Serial Killer Case. In both, the suspects were arrested, charged, and sentence to prison.
Currently, Darcus Shorten is assigned as a Detective the Homicide Division, Cold Case Squad. Darcus investigative efforts afforded her the opportunity to work with the Federal Bureau of Investigations. In 2006 a task force was created within the Homicide Division to investigate the deaths of the females found in an area of Houston, Harris, County, Texas. From 2006 through 2009 Darcus and the FBI worked intensely on this case and an arrest was made in August 2009. Darcus received the “Meritorious Service Award for her efforts in solving that case, and also an Award from the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
In the December 2011 edition of “Texas Monthly,” Slip Hollandsworth detailed the Investigation into the “Hunt for the Houston Serial Killer”, where Darcus worked endlessly to bring closure to families who lost loved ones, and victims who were abused and violated.
The catalytic power of this Summit in bringing together those who are devoting their lives to pushing back and working to confront, understand and work towards solutions around hate in our society is a noble and difficult task. The Summit not only energized those who attended but led to connecting the dots in a global network of those doing this work. The stories of the victims of hate were painful to witness but their courage in coming forward was inspirational. Those who attended left energized with the hope that by working together solutions can be forged.
