About Us:

Karen Hewitt, TPLI, TCI, has been a licensed investigator in Texas since 1992. She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas, a paralegal Certificate from SMU School of Law, and is a graduate of the East Texas Police Academy.

Prior to becoming a private investigator, Ms. Hewitt was an investigator for more than 10 years with the State District Attorney's Office, as well as serving as a Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse Officer in East Texas for over 4 years. She was also a practicing paralegal for more than 10 years.

Ms. Hewitt has received an Intermediate Peace Officer Certification granted by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education, and has received advanced training in Child Abuse Investigations by State Law Enforcement Agencies.

Elected in May, 1997, she served as President of the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators ("TALI") for 2 years, and subsequently served as Chair of the Board of Directors for 3 years. Ms. Hewitt continues to participate actively with the Association, and currently serves as Chair of the Membership Committee.

Ms. Hewitt was recently awarded the National Leadership Award by the National Republican Congressional Committee for serving as Honorary Co-Chair of the National Leadership Council.

In April 2003, Ms. Hewitt was selected to serve on the School of Community Service Advisory Board for the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.

Frances Cowden, TPLI, has been a private investigator for more than 7 years. Prior to entering the investigative field, Ms. Cowden was a commercial Texas real estate broker for over 20 years, during which time she was responsible for the disposition of real estate assets of 2 major Texas thrift institutions.

Ms. Cowden holds a B.S. from Midwestern State University, and a doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law.

Greg Wayne, TPLI, has been providing executive and personal protection to business leaders, athletes and entertainers and their families for the last 13 years. He is a United States Marine combat veteran. Mr. Wayne is a Texas Personal Protection Officer with broad experience as a Detail Leader. He is experienced in the areas of logistics, communications and medical trauma. Greg holds a Bachelor's degree and is a Texas Licensed Investigator providing background and threat assessment.

Greg has worked extensively in Texas, Southern California and Phoenix. Most recently he has provided protection for employee reductions in force, an attempted hostile takeover of a corporation, protecting corporate executives from social-issues activists and accompanying corporate engineers carrying sensitive business documents.

Mr. Wayne directs a Quick Response Team of 7 additional Personal Protection Officers and has a sizable team of professional reserves available. Through cooperative arrangements with area law enforcement agencies, the Hewitt & Cowden Quick Response Team, and professional reserve officers, he is able to deliver trained, licensed, experience, insured Protective Officers to counter threats promptly.

Founded in 1992 by Karen Hewitt, TPLI, TCI, and Frances Cowden, TPLI, Hewitt & Cowden Investigations prides itself on meeting client objectives while maintaining high ethical standards of private investigation. Our Texas PI Services range from traditional background checks to personal security.

Based in the Dallas/Fort Worth region, Hewitt & Cowden is a North Central Texas Private Investigation company serving clients throughout the great state of Texas. The agency has three locations making it easy personally meet with clients. In addition the company has forged reciprocal relationships with licensed private investigation companies located all over Texas allowing us to meet client needs anytime and anywhere.

As fully insured Texas Licensed Private Investigators, Hewitt & Cowden is committed to providing results oriented services through highly trained and knowledgeable staff. Our team of professional investigators has a combined experience of over 75 years.

Karen Hewitt, Founder and Owner

Hewitt has 30 years of experience in the investigation, legal, and law enforcement fields. Prior to founding Hewitt & Cowden Investigations, Hewitt worked as an investigator for the State District Attorney's Office, as a Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse Officer, and as a paralegal with a civil law firm.

Hewitt has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas, a paralegal certificate from the SMU School of Law, and is a graduate of the East Texas Police Academy. She has also received an Intermediate Peace Officer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education, and has advance training in Child Abuse Investigations from State Law Enforcement Agencies.

In addition, Hewitt remains actively involved in professional associations and within the community. She currently serves as Chair of the Membership Committee for the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators, and also serves on the School of Community Service Advisory Board for the University of North Texas.

Francis Cowden, TPLI Founder and Owner

Cowden has close to 30 years of experience in investigation and real estate fields. Prior to co-founding Hewitt & Cowden Investigations, she worked as a real estate broker where she gained an extensive background in real estate assets, contract negotiations, and property research.

Cowden has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Midwestern State University and Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law.