Monthly Report for November 2018

Dear Citizens,

This past month we were shocked and saddened by the loss of our fellow officer, Administrative Deputy Lucretia Stegall. Lucretia worked at the NCSO for over thirteen years after previously working twelve years for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. I ask that you continue to keep her family in your thoughts and prayers as well as her extended Law Enforcement families in Navarro and Henderson Counties. We want to thank the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch who delivered a gift basket with a sympathy card for Deputy Steagall, Highland Park Department of Public Safety for the sympathy card as well as Kara Clagett for supporting the NCSO by bringing cookies and flowers in her memory. We appreciate the many other officers, friends and citizens who have come by, called and shown their support during this difficult time.

We were also very saddened of the sudden passing of our Navarro County District Attorney, Lowell Thompson. I always appreciated Lowell’s love for not only his community, but for law enforcement. His dedication and love for those whom he lived among here in Navarro County was always apparent, just as it was for his family. May he Rest In Peace and our continued prayers are with the Thompson family.

Each Friday in October we recognized Breast Cancer Awareness month by wearing Pink at the NCSO. We honor those in the fight, the survivors and those who were taken by this dreaded disease. This cause is near and dear to my heart as my wife Mandy was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2004. I am proud to say she is a 13 year survivor.

We experienced significant rainfall in October and some roads were closed throughout Navarro County due to high water. Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. Over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of the water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers or do not heed the warnings that the road is flooded. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters. I cannot stress enough the importance of not driving into high water so please, always remember to turn around, don’t drown.

The Navarro County Sheriff’s Office would like to say Thank You to the City of Corsicana for inviting us to participate in this month’s National Night Out. We always appreciate and welcome the opportunity to interact with other public safety agencies and the citizens we serve.

We were also so proud to participate in the Explore CTE Event formerly known as the “Career Expo” which was held at the Navarro College Carl D. Perkins CTE Success Center. The purpose of the Explore CTE Event is to invest in our future local workforce. Numerous local high school students were in attendance. I would like to thank Captain Jeramy Phillips, Lieutenant Raychaun Ballard, Lieutenant Clint Andrews and Deputy Tammy Sloan for representing our Patrol, Criminal Investigation Division, Tactical, Detention and Communications Divisions for speaking with our youth who are the future of tomorrow.

Despite the cloudy skies, it was another great turnout for the Kerens Cotton Festival. I appreciate all my deputies for their help with the different areas of the festival and celebration. My wife and I enjoyed visiting with old and new friends, stopping by the many booths and enjoying some of the great food. I hope you were able to stop by the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office tent, visit with our Deputies and pick up some of our information and goodies for the kids.

At approximately 10:50 A.M., Saturday October 13, 2018, NCSO deputies responded to a reported welfare concern on Prairie Star Trail off NE 1060 in Rice. The caller reported a car on the road with a man either sleeping or unconscious near the vehicle. Responding deputies observed the vehicle was running and the body of a Hispanic male was found lying near the vehicle. The deputies quickly determined the victim was deceased and appeared to be the victim of homicidal violence. The NCSO Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene to continue the investigation. The victim, identified as 36-year-old Salomon Lucio, from Haltom City, was found with multiple gunshot wounds. Navarro County Sheriff’s Office detectives processed the original crime scene in less than ideal conditions with a significant storm bringing heavy rain amounts as well as possible tornadic thunderstorms being reported in the area. 

Throughout the course of the day, and well into the early morning hours on Sunday, the detectives continued the investigation which led them to the victim’s residence in Haltom City and later to Ft. Worth. Detectives obtained and served multiple search warrants during the investigation both in Navarro and Tarrant County. The Detectives were ultimately able to obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect charging him with murder in this case. On Sunday, October 14, 2018, the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Ft. Worth Police Department, executed a search warrant at a residence in Ft. Worth and arrested the suspect without incident. I am extremely proud of our Detectives. Captain Stan Farmer, Sgt. Randy Clay and Sgt. Kevin Scott showed exemplary dedication and commitment to solving this case in a steadfast manner. I also want to commend and personally thank the Ft. Worth Police Department for the teamwork they exhibited to our officers, as well as Haltom City PD and the Texas Rangers who also assisted with the investigation in Tarrant County.

The NCSO responded to a credit card skimmer being located inside the fuel pump at a station in Streetman along Interstate 45 in Navarro County. If you have recently purchased fuel in the area using a credit card, be aware and monitor your account diligently for fraudulent activity.

We held our fall gathering of the cattle at the NCSO county farm so they could be worked and the calves sold. We have also been busy moving and stacking our hay in preparation for the upcoming winter.

Thank you to the Mobile Outreach Team of Georgetown Texas, along with Annie Burwell and Daniel Sledge, for the generous donation of NARCAN to the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office. NARCAN is used to counteract the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose.

I am proud to announce the promotion of Lieutenant Melanie Cagle to Captain of the Communications Division, Lieutenant Gail Hurley to Captain of Administration Division, Corporal William Grigsby to Sergeant of the Patrol Divisional as well as Deputy Randy Nanny was promoted to Corporal in the Patrol Division. Congratulations to all these officers and the best of luck in their new positions.

We are proud to congratulate the winning NCSO team of Captain Stan Farmer and Sergeant Jeff Harbuck as this year’s champions of the Habitat for Humanity Skeet Shoot. Teams from the NCSO, CPD and Corsicana Fire and Rescue competed in today’s event. This marks three of the last four years that this team has won the event and they will proudly be bringing the championship cup back to the NCSO for another year. Again, congratulations and job well done Capt. Stan Farmer and Sgt. Jeff Harbuck.

The Sheriff's Office had approximately 3,276 calls for service in October and our Dispatch received 1,970 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 239 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 236 inmates. The Narcotics Unit arrested eight suspects, filed seven criminal cases and served five outstanding arrest warrants. Seventeen inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, eleven other inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP Units to serve their sentences.

This month we estrayed one bull, two horses, two donkeys, six sheep and five goats and transported them to our county farms at Angus and Petty’s Chapel. We sold five cows, six calves, six sheep and five goats at Corsicana Livestock Auction for a total of $6,040.21. We also redeemed $500.00 in estray fees this month.

We had two resignations and one officer passed away this month and we are currently accepting applications for vacancies in the patrol, administration and detention divisions. As in the past, applications will continue to be taken for any vacancy until the position is filled.

"Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it"- Charles Swindoll

As always God bless and be safe,

Sheriff Elmer Tanner