In this episode, Dr. Demetrick “Tre” Pennie, a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District, joined the Doc and the Block podcast to discuss how he achieved success after growing up in a crime-ridden neighborhood that promoted drug use and other illegal activities.
Tre grew up in inner-city Houston, Texas, during the height of “America’s War of Drugs.” He was raised by his grandmother after his mother and his abusive drug-addicted father were unable to take care of him. At 16, Tre witnessed the shooting death of his female cousin the day before her wedding. He says that this tragedy is what led to him wanting to leave the inner-city.
Tre was then inspired to pursue a career in law enforcement and ended up enlisting in the U.S. Army. After serving four years in the U.S. Army and graduating with an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice from Honolulu Community College, Tre joined the Dallas Police Department in 1999. While serving in the Department, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Midwestern State University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University in 2006. In 2017, Tre earned a Doctorate Degree in Higher Education from Texas Tech University.
Tre later became President and Executive Director of The National Fallen Officer Foundation and a powerful force in working to “bridge the gap” between police and their communities. In 2020, Tre began his political career to help underserved communities with socioeconomic challenges, and he is now running for Texas’ 3rd Congressional District.
