Monthly Report for September 2023
Dear Citizens,
I would personally like to thank the members of our Commissioners' Court and our citizens for supporting a pay increase for the officers of the NCSO that went into effect October 1, 2023. Law enforcement agencies as a whole across this country are facing many issues and complicated challenges in continuing their day to day operations. I can more than assure you that locally it has become increasingly difficult to retain qualified officers and maybe even more difficult to recruit new officers to the law enforcement profession.
One thing is certain, we must remain competitive in salary at the NCSO or risk losing our qualified officers or potential recruits to other area law enforcement agencies. Which we have lost many. It is, and always has been, our desire to become and stay fully staffed so that we may continue delivering the level of service that our citizens deserve.
"Thank you" to the members of the Corsicana Freedom Flag Committee who hosted a 22nd Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance ceremony at Bunert Park in Corsicana on Monday, September 11th. A thank you to our NCSO Honor Guard for posting the colors, to everyone who attended, were involved with the hosting of the event and to those who live on honoring and remembering those who sacrificed. We should never forget the lives that were lost due to the horrific events of that day. As well as remembering the thousands of citizens who lost their lives not just on that day, but every day since battling the war on terrorism. God bless them and God Bless these United States of America.
Beginning Friday October 6thand continuing each Friday in October, we will recognize Breast Cancer Awareness month by wearing pink at the NCSO. We honor those in the fight, the survivors and those taken by the dreaded disease. As many of you may know, this cause is near and dear to my heart as my wife Mandy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. I'm proud to say she is now a 18 year breast cancer survivor.
This month we say Congratulations to the following deputies on their recent promotions:
Congratulations to Deputies Russell Perry and Kit Waldrop who were both recently promoted to Patrol Corporal and to Matthew Rickard who was also recently promoted to Detention Corporal. Congratulations to Deputy Matt Phillips who has successfully completed our patrol FTO program and has now assumed his assignment in the patrol division.
Congratulations to Deputy Rose Clark on being the 2022 recipient of the Corsicana Kiwanis Deputy of the Year Award. Deputy Clark has over eight years of law enforcement experience, is a certified mental health peace officer and serves as a valuable member of our Crisis Negotiations Team. Again congratulations to Deputy Clark as well as to all the other Kiwanis award recipients.
The 2023 Jail Management Issues Conference was attended this year by Sheriff Elmer Tanner, Captain Charlie York, Lieutenant Robin Woodall, Sergeant Wade Hall and Corporal Ignacio Esparza. The were numerous classes taught over a five day period on various topics of interest in the correctional industry. It is important that our command staff be up to date and well versed on any and all issues.
The NCSO recently received a generous donation of two rifle resistant ballistic shields to provide additional safety for our officers while serving our citizens. I want to thank Donna Carter and Matt Cawthon with Going Ballistic, Will Thompson, Navarro Community Foundation and all the supporters of this endeavor. Thank you all for your continued support of law enforcement.
On Thursday, September 28th, while most people were sleeping around 4:45 am, the NCSO tactical team was busy assisting the Limestone County Sheriff's Office with the execution of a high risk narcotics search warrant in Mexia. Numerous individuals were initially detained at the location and suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and a gun were located. We are always willing, able and proud to assist our fellow agencies when we can and the need ever arises. Good job by all.
On Friday, September 29th, NCSO personnel assisted with a manhunt in Ellis County after critical incidents occurred with the same suspect in both Navarro County (Rice) and Ellis County. The Ellis County Sheriff's Office led the coordinated efforts by multiple law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect on foot in the area of Highway 287 and Nesuda Road near Ennis. The suspect was located by law enforcement later that evening and taken into custody.
The Sheriff's Office had approximately 2,760 calls for service in September and our dispatch received 1,969 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 159 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 220 inmates. Twelve inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and two inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP Units to serve their sentences.
In September, we estrayed one cow and one horse and hauled them to our county farm, as well as sold one estray cow and bull at Corsicana Livestock Auction for $1,963.22.
We are accepting applications for all divisions and currently have vacancies in detention, dispatch, patrol, and courthouse security. Remember the hiring age for dispatch and detention has been lowered to 18 but with all other enforcement positions, you must be 21 or older to apply. As in the past, applications will continue to be taken for any vacancy until the position is filled.
"Gratitude and attitudes are not challenges, they are choices." -Robert Braathe
As always, God Bless and be safe, and thank you Lord for the badly needed rain.
SherIff Elmer Tanner
