Monthly Report for June 2018

Dear Citizens,

It was a full and very busy May as we observed National Peace Officers Memorial Day, National Police Week, National Correctional Officers Week and Memorial Day. We appreciate everyone who participated with us in honoring, acknowledging and celebrating these special days. 

I am proud of our Honor and Color Guards who participated in the Memorial Day Programs this year and I felt it a privilege being invited to represent the men and women of the NCSO at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office Peace Officer Memorial Program. The program was to not only remember the fallen but special honor and respect shown to DPS Trooper Damon Allen who was killed while on duty in November, 2017. Thank you again Sheriff Dennis Wilson for not only asking me and my wife to be present for the ceremony but for the hospitality that was shown to us as well.

A little piece of history about these observances: In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Thank you to all those who joined us in celebrating those who protect and serve us every minute of every day and honoring the courageous officers who devoted themselves so fully to others that in the process they laid down their lives. "Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." -John 15:13

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5187, creating "National Correctional Officers’ Week." Each year, the first full week in May is recognized as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, commemorating the contributions of correctional officers and personnel who work in jails, prisons, and community corrections across the country.
The services provided by the dedicated and hard working men and women of corrections are vital to every community. I'd like to give recognition and thanks to the families of these correctional officers as well as these men and women are also husbands, wives, mothers and fathers who often have to miss school activities, holidays, weekends and other activities with their families because of the job. Thank you again to our correctional officers for their dedication and commitment to our community as I very much appreciate each and every one of them and the service they provide daily.

In observance of National Nurses Week we also recognized our Southern Health Partners correctional nurses Linda Hullett and Evelyn Heilmann. We certainly appreciate the job they do for us at the NCSO. A huge thank you to the Law Enforcement Wife’s of Navarro County for thinking of us not only during Police Memorial Week, but for your support and prayers everyday throughout the year. We especially appreciate your generous donation of time in placing the blue ribbons around the Justice Center as well as the numerous snacks, treats and filled goodie bags you provided us. Thank you for always having our six. For National Police Memorial Week we also thank our local Salvation Army who dropped off donuts, Centex Citizens Credit Union for the bottled water and snacks, the kind and caring personnel of the Twilight Nursing Home for the drinks and snacks they provided, Heritage Oaks Retirement Village, Heritage Oaks West, Trisun Care Center, Guardian Home Health and Hand in Hand Hospice for the breakfast you provided our officers. 

I can’t stress enough what the kindness and thoughtfulness that was shown to us during National Police Memorial Week has meant to us. It was sincerely appreciated. As law enforcement officers, we understand and accept that on any given day, fulfilling our duty, may require us to lay down our life. But not only did we take an oath to serve and protect, we also take pride in serving the citizens we serve in our county and state. Again, thank you to all those who called, came by or acknowledged our officers with your kind words and thoughtful gestures. 

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. -Joseph Campbell 

I'd like to express my gratitude to all the men and women who fought for our freedoms and to their families who will never cease missing them or the void that is left by their absence. I hope as you went about enjoying not only your long holiday weekend, but each day, you take some time to honor, give thanks and show gratitude for the sacrifices that were made. Because without them, you wouldn’t experience the freedoms you have and more often than not, unconsciously take for granted.

Public Service Announcement: I have become aware of criminals across the state (via list-serve) that are "conducting business" under the auspice that they are affiliated with local counties or clerks offices. In Ellis County, it was reported that they have hacked into the phone system so that the number shows up as a county number. The Ellis County Sheriff has already addressed the issue. I have not received any reports in Navarro County at this time. 

The scammers are claiming to be process servers and telling citizens that they are to pay $xx.xx amount over the phone or they will be arrested or a warrant will be issued. The courts in Navarro County do not ask or accept payment over the phone (unless pre-arranged) and anyone involved in litigation is not required to pay for process service except for services requested/rendered, the filing of a civil or family suit or otherwise ordered by a Judge through a signed order or judgment. Don’t become a victim to these scams. Always verify the validity of the information before sending payment.

Our Lenco Bearcat armored vehicle garnered lots of attention at the Corsicana Air Show. We had a great time allowing our citizens and youth the opportunity to tour and discuss the vehicle and its purpose. A special note: The vehicle was 100% paid for from the proceeds seized from a local drug dealer. Not one penny had to come from our citizens.

The NCOEM, NCSO, TXDPS, Corsicana Fire / Rescue, and RC 287 VFD responded to a helicopter crash in SE Navarro County near HWY 287 and FM 309. Pilot was injured and transported via air ambulance (PHI).

NCSO Detention Officers Amy Plant, Erica Morales, Cynthia Campoz, Sergeant Shelly Sweeney, Captain Charlie York, Lieutenant Raychaun Ballard and Chief Deputy Morris Steward attended the 32nd Annual Texas Jail Association Conference in Austin. This conference is a great opportunity for our officers to get valuable training on current hot topics in the corrections industry, network with other correctional officers from across Texas and meet with vendors to review the newest tools in the correction industry.

Congratulations NCSO Deputy Sean Boggess on graduating Navarro College Police Academy Class #102. We are very proud of Deputy Boggess, his accomplishment and being such a fine example of the future in law enforcement. We also congratulate Deputy Nick Wickliffe on successfully completing the patrol FTO program. Deputy Wickliffe has been assigned to Courthouse Security Officer. Good luck on you new assignment Deputy Wickliffe.

Four arrests were made on Wednesday, May 9, by Navarro County Sheriff’s Office narcotics officers which is believed to be a first in the county – multiple arrests made as a result of two separate warrant searches of the same address on the same day. ‪At about 10 a.m.‬, Lt. Clint Andrews and Sgt. Ricky Ragan went to an apartment in the 400 block of ‪North 21st Street in Corsicana‬ to investigate a narcotics complaint. The officers executed a narcotics search warrant, seizing a quantity of methamphetamine and marijuana while arresting two subjects at the location. Valerie Andresen of Krugerville, Texas, was arrested and charged with fail to Identify as a fugitive, resisting arrest, and possession of controlled substance in a drug free zone. Bonds were set at $50,000 for the drug free zone possession charge, $1,500 for failure to identify, and $2,500 for resisting. Jason Womack Jr. was also arrested during the search on an outstanding misdemeanor probation violation warrant, and was also charged with possession of controlled substance in a drug free zone. Womack’s bond was set at $50,000.

Later that same afternoon, the narcotics unit received additional narcotics information and responded back to the same apartment unit. A second search warrant was executed and additional methamphetamine and marijuana was seized. During the second search, John Hood was arrested for an outstanding parole violation warrant, and was also charged with possession of controlled substance in a drug free zone, and possession of marijuana under two ounces. Hood’s bond was set at $200,000 on the controlled substance in a drug free zone charge, and $1,000 on the marijuana possession charge. Rachael Beleele was also arrested and charged with possession of controlled substance in a drug free zone, and possession of marijuana under two ounces. Beleele’s bonds were set at $150,000 on the drug free zone charge, and $1,000 on the marijuana possession charge. The detectives also found one other item during their second visit to the apartment. The search warrant from earlier in the day was still lying on a table, in plain view.

On Tuesday, May 22nd about ‪7:30 a.m.‬, the NCSO narcotics unit executed a narcotics search warrant at a residence in the 2900 Block of N. Business 45 Corsicana. During the investigation two suspects were arrested at the location and a quantity of methamphetamine along with other narcotics was seized. One suspect was arrested for Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled substance PG1 over 4 under 200 grams a first degree felony and the second suspect was charged with POM under 2 ounces and Possession of a Dangerous Drug.

On Thursday May 24th the NCSO narcotics unit executed a narcotics search warrant in the 1300 block of North 13th in Corsicana. During the course of the narcotics investigation a quantity of suspected (Phencyclidine)PCP and marijuana was located. Two suspects were arrested at the location and charged with manufacture/delivery of controlled substance over 1 under 4 grams in a drug free zone and POM under 2 ounces.

The Sheriff's Office had approximately 2879 calls for service in May and our Dispatch received 2164 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 272 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 256 inmates. The Narcotics Unit arrested sixteen suspects, filed twenty two criminal cases and served seven outstanding arrest warrants. Nineteen inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and 13 other inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP units to serve their sentences.

This month we estrayed one bull and five sheep, sold seven previously strayed horses at Elkhart Horse Sale for $1,477.50 and collected $215 in estray fees.

We had two resignations this month and we welcomed Ismael Esparza to the NCSO as he begins his new career as a Detention Officer. Mr. Esparza served in the US Army in Afghanistan and continues to be an active member of the US Army Reserve. Thank Officer Esparza for your continued service and dedication to our country and also your service to our community.

We are currently accepting applications for vacancies in dispatch, detention and maintenance divisions. As in the past, applications will continue to be taken for any vacancy until the position is filled.

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve." - Albert Schweitzer

As always, God bless and be safe.

Sheriff Elmer Tanner