Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr. issued a one-sentence statement that read: "After 43 years and 9 months with the Texas Department of Public Safety, I am retiring on Aug. 31, 2008."
The Houston Chronicle connected Davis' departure to lack of confidence in the director following an arson fire at the historic Governor's Mansion in June. The building, which was undergoing renovations, was destroyed.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry and lawmakers had been critical of the department's management in a subsequent legislative hearing, the newspaper said.
Davis is the second Texas official to announce retirement plans in the past month. Carey Cockerell, director of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, announced June 26 he also will leave on Aug. 31.
The two state agencies oversaw the raid on the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado in April, which led to removal of some 440 children.
After two months in state custody, two Texas courts ruled the state lacked sufficient evidence to continue to keep them. They were returned to their parents, members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in early June.
Criminal and child welfare investigations are continuing in Texas.
Early estimates of the cost of the state action exceeded $14 million.
