Katy Independent School District Police Officer Shannon Dresser, who finished as first runner-up in the Miss United States Pageant in Orlando, Florida. (Photo courtesy Shannon Dresser)
By George Slaughter
Shannon Dresser, the Katy Independent School District police officer who in May was crowned Miss Texas United States, finished as first runner-up at the Miss United States Pageant Saturday night in Orlando, Florida.
Rachael Todd, Miss Florida United States, won the pageant.
As an officer, Dresser is involved in the Teen and Police Service Academy (TAPS), an international mentoring program that closes the gap between at-risk students and police officers. While students get an elective credit for their participation in this 13-week program, the mentoring has greater value. Topics covered include bullying, conflict management, and avoiding drug use and gangs, among others.
She has also been promoted as a K-9 officer, where she will be working with a Golden Labrador Retriever.
Dresser joined the Katy Independent School District Police Department in September 2015 after serving in the Honolulu Police Department. She had moved to Hawaii after accepting a scholarship to the University of Hawaii. Her parents are both retired sergeants with the Los Angeles Police Department. She grew up in Palmdale, California, which is north of Los Angeles.
Last year, Dresser was Miss West Houston United States. She competed in the Miss Texas United States Pageant, finishing as second runner-up. The winner of that pageant, Alayah Benavides, went on to become Miss United States.