Monthly Report for May 2017

Dear Citizens,

Each year, the second full week of April is recognized as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Our telcommunicators or "dispatchers" are an invaluable part of our emergency response system here at the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office. Our telecommunicators assist callers with emergency and non-emergency situations, while providing critical information to law enforcement, firefighters and medical personnel as they respond. This week provides an opportunity to honor these courageous professionals for their vital contribution to public safety. Our telecommunicators serve the community by helping citizens in need every day. If you've ever been the victim of a crime, had a vehicle collision, reported a fire, or needed emergency medical help, it is likely that you called 911 and received help from a "dispatcher" on the other end of the line. While not always recognized, the critical role that these telecommunicators play in keeping the public and first responders safe is essential. Please join me by taking the time and thanking a telecommunicator for their professionalism and dedication to duty.

This month we also celebrated Administrative Professional’s Day and I would like to say a huge thank you to Lt. Gail Hurley, Melissa Grimes, Krystal Hogue, Debra Kelley, and Lucretia Steagall. I appreciate you, all your hard work, dedication and loyalty to me and to the N.C.S.O.

We proudly participated in the 59th Annual Navarro County Youth Expo this month and got to interact with many great kids and their families from all across Navarro County. Your hard work and dedication to your projects now will be invaluable and help you be successful in the future. Congratulations to all the participants on their hard work and accomplishments.

Our NCSO Communications Sgt. Melanie Cagle and Detention Lt. Raychaun Ballard participated in Mildred Elementary School's Career Day for K through 3rd grade. We are always thankful for the opportunity to speak with the youth of today who are our future leaders tomorrow.

The Navarro County Sheriff’s Office proudly participated in the 2017 Job Fair which was held at the Cook Center on the Navarro College campus. We had representatives from our patrol, communication and detention divisions present to answer questions and help see if a law enforcement career at the NCSO was a good career path choice for them.

It was great to take part once again in the annual Derrick Days parade and to see our citizens supporting the long time honored event. Thanks to Capt. Jeramy Phillips and Sgt. Robbie Jock for driving our Lenco Bearcat in the parade, parking downtown and making themselves available for any questions, tours of the inside and for pictures.

This month our NCSO Facebook page reached 10,000 likes. I would like to thank you, the citizens, for your continued support. It is very important to me and to the NCSO to keep the community informed and up to date as much as possible on what is taking place in our county.

By liking our page and sharing informative posts such as asking for information on identifying suspects in thefts, burglaries or other crimes, YOU are supporting and assisting us in making a difference and taking steps in improving the safety where you live, where you work, play and raise your families. Communication through social media is a powerful tool when utilized properly. You, the citizens, are an intricate part of that.
Again, thank you for your continued support, kind words, encouragement and helping our agency help the community in which we all call home.

As evolution continues at the NCSO, I would like to mention our newest piece of technology. When the jail was designed and built in 1988, a dry erase board was used in booking to log inmate names throughout the facility. This process was continued until recently when we completed the change to an electronic display system that saves time, is easier to read, and displays each inmate's current classification. This new display, which helps the function and process run much efficiently, was made possible through a technology grant and came at no cost to our taxpaying citizens.

Thank you to all the first responders and citizens who helped in anyway with the house explosion in Dawson. Proud to report that all five occupants were rescued and no fatalities reported. Good job by all those who responded.

I am proud to report that Deputy Rick Jamison made an arrest on an animal cruelty call near Rural Shade. A citizen had reported witnessing an unknown person shoot a dog on SE 4250. Deputies immediately began an investigation and later located the suspect, who has now been arrested for Cruelty to Animals and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

The search for a missing runaway juvenile resulted in six adults being arrested and one juvenile detained on various narcotics charges. Deputy Caleb Loftis and Sgt. Kris Matthews were searching for a runaway juvenile which resulted in the officers going to a residence in the 3000 block of NW 2004 Corsicana. The deputies located the missing juvenile along with a quantity of cocaine, marijuana and suspected liquid THC at the residence. I applaud the efforts of our deputies in getting these drugs off the street and out of the hands of children.

This month Cpl. Shane Richards responded to a follow up investigation of a previously reported burglary on NW 1310 near Emhouse. While driving to the location Cpl. Richards observed the burglary suspect walking down NW 1310. Cpl. Richards made contact with the suspect who he arrested after locating eight grams of methamphetamine on her person. As a result of this arrest by Cpl. Richards, a stolen John Deere Gator valued at $12,000 was recovered in Silver City.

Deputy Caleb Loftis, with assistance from Deputy Shane Richards, conducted a traffic stop for no seat belt on NW 1220 in Barry. As a result of the traffic stop, approximately 22 grams of methamphetamine, a gun and other narcotics were seized. The suspect faces numerous charges, including prohibited substance in a correctional facility after a quantity of drugs was brought into the jail hidden on his person. The suspect was arrested for Manufacture/Delivery Control Substance Penalty Group 1 over 4 grams/under 200 grams, Possession of Firearm by Felon, Possession of Marijuana under 2oz, Possession of Dangerous Drug, and Prohibited Substance in Correctional Facility. Once again I applaud the efforts of these deputies and their dedication to duty.

NCSO deputies and DPS troopers were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at the Northbound 234 milepost of Interstate 45. One of the two vehicles involved in the accident was a TDCJ transport vehicle with four inmates and a driver. The TDCJ inmates were transported to the Navarro County Justice center to await another transport unit from TDCJ. The inmates were transferred later that day to another TDCJ transport and were transported to their previous destination. DPS was in charge of the accident investigation.

Congratulations Deputy Patty Medina on her successful completion of the patrol FTO program. Deputy Medina is now assigned as a full time Civil Deputy.

Congratulations as well to Cpl. Shane Richards on being named as a Cotton Patch-Corsicana Daily Sun First Responder of the week award winner this month.

The Sheriff's Office had 3,196 calls for service in April and our Dispatch received 2,013 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 345 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 247 inmates. The Narcotics Unit arrested eight suspects, filed nine criminal cases and served 14 outstanding arrest warrants. Ten inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and thirteen other inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP units to serve their sentences.

This month we estrayed one horse and transported it to the county farm at Angus, estrayed one bull and transported it to our county farm at Petty’s Chapel. We recovered $175 in estray fees this month.

We currently have one vacancy in courthouse security. As in the past, applications will continue to be taken for any vacancy until the position is filled.

“Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.” ―Brené Brown

As always, God bless and be safe

Sheriff Elmer Tanner