Monthly Report for March 2018

Dear Citizens,

This month we held our Annual NCSO Departmental Meeting and Awards Ceremony for 2017.

In 2017, the Sheriff's Office had 24,191 calls for service and our dispatch received 24,312 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. We performed 1587 arrests, conducted 1,667 traffic stops and our criminal investigative division investigated 884 criminal cases. We were also issued 3,721 civil papers for service with 2843 being served. Our SWAT team responded to 2 armed barricaded suspect calls with shots fired, 1 out of county request for assistance, and held 168 hours of in house tactical training along with members attending numerous tactical schools.

There were approximately 3,424 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 236 inmates during 2017.

The Narcotics Unit arrested 337 State suspects, filed 447 State level criminal cases, 1 Federal case and served 209 outstanding arrest warrants. The narcotics unit seized 2 outdoor marijuana grows, and seized various other drugs across the county with a combined street value of $1,658,560.00

One hundred forty five inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and 151 other inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP units to serve their sentences in 2017. We responded to 521 animal complaint calls and 1420 loose livestock calls. We removed estray livestock on 36 occasions during 2017 ultimately picking up 10 bulls, 15 cows, 4 calves, 27 horses, 3 donkeys, 1 mule, 6 sheep and one goat. The NCSO collected $6,665.00 in estray fees and collected $6,042.15 from the sale of estray livestock. We sold $11,828.82 in Navarro County livestock. We also had 20 officers separate from service, and 18 persons were hired in 2017.

At the annual meeting, awards were given to:
Administrative Deputy Krystal Mccollum was awarded Employee of the Year. Detective Sergeant Kevin Scott awarded Deputy of the Year and Captain Charlie York awarded Detention Officer of the Year. Congratulations to these Deputies for a job well done during 2017.

I would also like to say a thank you to ALL our employees for the job they do everyday, 24/7 in serving the citizens of Navarro County. I appreciate your dedication and the effort you ALL put forth no matter the department you are assigned or the capacity in which you serve.

I always hate when my letters have mention of another senseless act of violence. We witnessed yet another mass shooting in the United States on February 14th taking place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in Broward County, Florida. Thousands of American public school students have now gone through one of these tragedies. Even if they weren’t physically wounded, these kids now carry the psychological scars of living this tragedy, watching a classmate become injured or die in front of their eyes. Students, as well as a coach, teachers and staff trying to protect those students, lost their lives that day. The lives of the family members of the 17 taken as well as the first responders, were forever changed that day and will never be the same again. As a law enforcement officer but especially as a father of two, I can’t imagine. Our prayers go out for the families of those lost, to all first responders involved and to the many effected by this senseless act.

I met with fellow Sheriffs representing Ellis, Freestone, Limestone, Leon, Madison, Grimes, and Waller Counties in Anderson, Texas.

This Coalition Of Sheriffs, came together out of our concern about the proposed Dallas Houston High-Speed Rail and our duty to protect our citizens. We will not allow public safety and security to be compromised for the financial gain of this private company. We are committed to standing together to protect our citizens and our communities.

Once again, I am very pleased and proud to announce that for the 6th year in a row since becoming Sheriff, the Navarro County Jail has passed The Texas Commission on Jail Standards annual jail inspection. There is no warning of when an inspection will take place. We only know it will be conducted sometime during the year. Our inspector arrived at our facility on Monday the 26th and completed the inspection the next evening at 6:30 pm. I give credit to all the hard working supervisors and employees of our Detention Division as it is not easy to keep up with the numerous state rules and regulations while continuing to maintain a 30 year old facility. Keeping maintenance and operational costs at a minimum and maintaining an average of 236 prisoners per day I can assure you, is no easy task. I commend those in my detention staff who continue to work diligently together as a team to maintain the daily operations of the facility. I truly appreciate and thank each of you for a job well done.

As tax time is upon us once again, we are seeing increased reports of many different versions of an I.R.S. scam. The caller claims to be from the I.R.S. and threatens their intended victim with a lawsuit or even an arrest warrant if a check or money order is not submitted right away. The I.R.S. DOES NOT threaten litigation, arrest or demand payment in such fashion. I cannot stress enough, please DO NOT fall victim to these scams. Never give any of your personal information to the caller or verify any information about yourself or family members to these scam artists. Report suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency.

On behalf of myself and the men and women of the Navarro County Sheriff's Office, I’d like to thank The 100 Club, for their generous donation of $7,000 towards the purchase of a tactical robot.

The robot is estimated to cost $20,000, and acquiring it would not be possible without the generous donation of The 100 Club that supports our law enforcement agency. I can't say enough about this organization and encourage anyone interested in reaching out to them to become a member.

I would like to thank Walmart Corsicana for their generous donation of Gatorade for our tactical unit, to Stewart Insurance Agency for their kindness and support of law enforcement by donating valentine gifts to our enforcement officers on Valentine’s Day as well as the Sullinger family for dropping off valentine cookies for the NCSO staff and officers to enjoy. We appreciate all of you for your kindness, support and for taking time out of your day to for think of us.

On February 28th, Detectives from the NCSO conducted a criminal investigation on suspects believed to have committed multiple burglaries in the Mildred/Eureka area. Detectives executed a search warrant at a location near FM 2859 and arrested two suspects. Throughout the afternoon the Detectives processed the scene locating and recovering numerous items that were believed to be stolen from the immediate area along with a stolen Bobcat skid steer loader and commercial ice machine. Continuing the investigation into the early morning hours of Thursday, March 1st, Detectives traveled to Red Oak where they executed another search warrant for stolen property and arrested an additional suspect. Three suspects are now in custody and charged with engaging in organized crime. Our Detectives are continuing this investigation and are attempting to locate additional stolen property at this time.

Congratulations to Alan Vitters who was promoted to Detention Corporal, Nick Wickliffe who transferred from Detention to Courthouse Security, Kathy Basnett who transferred from Dispatch to Courthouse Security, Amy Plant who transferred from Detention to Commissary officer and last but not least Becky Hatchel who retired from the NCSO after twelve years of dedicated service.

We had two resignations this month and we welcomed Kristin Bates as our newest Administrative Deputy and Arron Cottongame as our newest Detention officer.

The Sheriff's Office had approximately 1,641 calls for service in February and our Dispatch received 2,690 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 250 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 260 inmates. The Narcotics Unit arrested 10 suspects, filed 10 criminal cases and served 5 outstanding arrest warrants. Twelve inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and 14 other inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP units to serve their sentences.

This month we estrayed 2 cows, 1 bull and 5 horses and transported them to the county farms. We also recovered $1,252.85 in estray fees this month.

The Navarro County Sheriff’s Office still has hay for sale. The hay is 4x6 net wrapped round bale hay. The price is $40 per roll with a ten roll minimum purchase. Loading is available. Contact Captain Jeramy Phillips at 903-654-3002 to purchase yours today.

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

“Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” -Henry Ford

As always, God bless and be safe.

Sheriff Elmer Tanner