Monthly Report for May 2018

Dear Citizens,

It's hard to believe we are already into the month of May. 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 9-1-1 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 thanking a telecommunicator this week for their professionalism and dedication to duty.

We also recognized and said a huge thank you on Administrative Professional's Day to Lt. Gail Hurley, Kristin Bates, Krystal McCollum, Debra Kelley, and Lucretia Steagall. I appreciate you, all your hard work, dedication and loyalty to me and to the N.C.S.O.

I would like to say a well deserved congratulations to NCSO Deputy Ryan Gantt on receiving the Brent Thompson 100 Club Officer of the Year Award. Thank you for your above and beyond dedication and service to the citizens of our county.

I want to personally thank David Nyquist Jr., The 100 Club board and the men and women who support this great organization for your continuing support of Navarro County Law Enforcement and their families. I urge everyone who supports law enforcement to look into this organization and if feel led to do so, become a member. The 100 Club started in 1953 as a group of five men - consisting of Leopold L. Meyer, Ray R. Elliot, R. H. Abercrombie, William A. "Bill" Smith, and Jim "Silver Dollar" West realized the need to support the dependents of Houston police officers killed in the line of duty. So they reached out and motivated 100 people to contribute $100 each toward the mission. The 100 Club was born. It is now a 32,000 member non-profit organization which provides financial support to the dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty in 32 counties surrounding Houston. One hundred percent of the funding comes from gifts of individuals and businesses. They support the dependents of heroes killed in the line of duty, funding scholarships that allow not only officers to further their education in criminal justice but also help the children of law enforcement officers to further their education. They provide funding to replace all service animals who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty for law enforcement and for life- protecting equipment such as bulletproof vests, radio equipment and armored personnel carriers.

The Navarro County Sheriff's Office investigated a reported case of impersonating a peace officer. A female complainant reported that on April 19th about 11 p.m., a dark colored Chevrolet Suburban or SUV initiated a traffic stop of her vehicle while she was traveling Westbound on East Highway 31 between Trinidad and Kerens. The complainant advised that the vehicle displayed red emergency lights inside the vehicle near the rear-view mirror, but she did not observe any insignia on the vehicle. The suspect was described by the complainant as an African American male, light skin toned, 5'10" with medium build, and a quarter size birth mark under his right ear. The suspect was wearing a black shirt and black pants and had a small patch of hair below his bottom lip. The suspect was also described to speak with a lisp or have a minor speech impediment. No weapon, badge or other identifier was observed.

The suspect approached the vehicle and advised the complainant that she had a defective taillight. The suspect asked the complainant to exit the vehicle to observe the defective taillight but because of her suspicion she refused to exit her vehicle. The suspect then returned to his vehicle and left the location. The complainant advised she believes that the suspect vehicle followed her into Navarro County from Henderson County. We notified the Henderson County Sheriff's Office and Kerens P.D. of the incident and we are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident, have information about this incident, or the suspect's identity is asked to contact C.I.D. Sergeant Robbie Jock at 903-654-3002 to report information.

On April 9th, an early morning traffic stop near Kerens by NCSO Corporal William Grigsby resulted in the seizure of 15 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of black tar heroin and over 17 grams of suspected steroids. Corporal Grigsby was patrolling in Kerens on East Highway 31 near FM 633 when he observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation. Corporal Grigsby conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for the observed violation and after obtaining verbal consent to search the vehicle he located numerous syringes, methamphetamine, heroin and suspected steroids inside the vehicle. One suspect was arrested as a result of this investigation.

On April 11th at approximately 11:50 pm, Corporal William Grigsby seized approximately seven grams of powder cocaine during the course of a traffic stop and investigation near Angus. Corporal Grigsby assisted by Sergeant Caleb Loftis performed a traffic stop of a vehicle that was observed driving on the wrong side of the road while traveling on the I-45 west service road near Angus. As the deputies approached the vehicle the driver opened the passenger door of the vehicle and discarded two plastic baggies of a white powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine. The suspect was charged with possession of controlled substance PG 1 over four\under 200 grams and tampering with physical evidence. Both charges are felony offenses.

The Sheriff's Office had approximately 3,096 calls for service in April and our Dispatch received 1,866 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 306 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 272 inmates. The Narcotics Unit arrested 15 suspects, filed eight criminal cases and served 17 outstanding arrest warrants. Fourteen inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and 15 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 one resignation this month and we welcomed Linda Good as our newest Detention officer.

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.

“This world of ours... must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower

As always, God bless and be safe.

Sheriff Elmer Tanner