Monthly Report for July 2019

Dear Citizens,

I would like to start by saying how very thankful I am to the Navarro County citizens for voting me "Best of the Best County Law Enforcement Officer". Being voted "Best of the Best" 6 years in a row now, I feel not only honored but I am extremely humbled and greatly appreciate your continued encouragement and support. I promise to continue taking pride in my position and staying dedicated to serving the citizens of this county.

On Tuesday July 2, 2019 about 4pm, NCSO Narcotics Sergeant Rickey Ragan seized approximately 12.6 grams of methamphetamine as a result of a traffic contact in the 400 Block of Hardy Avenue Corsicana. Detective Sgt. Ragan stopped the vehicle for an observed traffic violation and obtained verbal consent to search the vehicle. The passenger was later taken into custody after finding a quantity of methamphetamine and paraphernalia in her possession. After arriving at the Justice Center during a personal search inside the jail, a larger quantity of methamphetamine was located in the suspects mouth. The total weight of methamphetamine seized was approximately 12.6 grams including packaging that was located in numerous separate baggies. The suspect was charged with Manufacture /Delivery of controlled substance PG 1 > 4G < 200G and Tampering with Physical Evidence.

On Wednesday July 3, 2019 members of the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics unit with the assistance of the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, raided a domestic marijuana growing operation near the intersection of SE 0040 and SE 0010 Corsicana. Marijuana plants in various stages of growth up to approximately three feet tall, abandoned campsite, numerous irrigation hoses, fertilizer, drying racks, as well as numerous other items associated with a marijuana growing operation were located. This is the 14th outdoor marijuana growing operation located and seized by the NCSO within the past five years. We will remain diligent in seeking these illegal growing operations and take the necessary steps to eradicate this type of criminal activity from occurring in Navarro County.

We were honored once again to be asked to utilize our NCSO Color Guard to post the colors on Sunday, July 7th for the beginning of the TTAS 10 and Under State Softball Tournament held here in Corsicana.

On Monday, July 8,2019, NCSO Detectives arrested a wanted fugitive in the 200 block of Kings Court in Rice, Texas. The fugitive was wanted on an Aggravated Kidnapping warrant from Rice PD and an Assault Causes Bodily Injury warrant out of Navarro County. The suspect was also charged with Resisting Arrest during the course of his arrest. A female subject was also arrested at the location for on-view Felony Hindering Apprehension. A job well done by NCSO Detectives Rickey Ragan, Robbie Jock and Randy Clay.

On Wednesday, July 10, 2019 NCSO Detectives executed a search warrant for stolen property in the 5700 block FM 1129 north of Roane. As a result of the search warrant, the following stolen items were recovered: A stolen firearm out of Westminster PD in Colorado, stolen Dodge truck out of Lakewood PD in Colorado and a stolen travel trailer out of Ellis County. Although none of the stolen property located was from Navarro County, as always, we were glad to assist the victims from out of county and out of state with the recovery of their stolen items.

On Sunday, July 14, 2019 at approximately 09:15 am, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens recovered the body of Lynn Earl Eggleston, 75, of Corsicana. There was a four-day search of the Richlands Chambers Reservoir after it was reported there was a missing boater on Thursday, July 11, 2019. Navarro County J.P. Waller ruled it a as an accidental death by drowning. We would like to thank the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden’s along with their dive team, K9 team as well as the DPS aircraft who assisted with the search. We appreciate the assistance of the Navarro County OEM in this search as well as all those in our community for their support of law enforcement during this search and for the victims’ family during this tragic and difficult time.

On Saturday, July, 20, 2019, the NCSO investigated a highly disturbing case. The NCSO dispatched Corsicana Fire and Rescue to a medical emergency in Rice involving a 3-week old child. Upon initial evaluation of the child by CFD personnel, a concern was raised about the significant level of injury being inconsistent with the story given. The CFD requested a Deputy respond to the hospital to conduct an investigation. Due to the significance of injuries the child was life flighted to a Dallas area hospital. During the course of the evening, an investigation was conducted initially by our patrol division and later turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division. An arrest warrant for Injury to a Child (F-1) was ultimately obtained for the victim’s father Rogelio Ortiz as a result of the investigation. The suspect was arrested on the warrant later that night by the Dallas County Hospital District Police at the same Dallas hospital where the child was earlier transported. I would like to thank Chief Henley and the CFD, our Patrol Division and CID divisions for their diligent work in this case.

On Saturday, July 20, 2019, the NCSO requested assistance from Fort Hood with disposing of some explosive ordinance located at a residence near Frost. The ordinance was identified as a live 37mm HE round. We appreciate the quick response and assistance we received from Fort Hood and that the ordinance was safely removed from the location without incident.

I thank the kind hearts of the ladies from The Quilt Guild who delivered 20 care bags to the NCSO this month. These bags will be given to children who have been through a traumatic experience. Thank you ladies for your thoughtfulness, kind gesture and for what you do.
Thank you to our friend and former Deputy Larry Warren for the generous donation of 15 cases of water, Richard Arnett for the food trays, snacks, water and Gatorade, Girl Scout Group #6971 for bringing us some of their delicious Girl Scout cookies. On behalf of myself and all the NCSO employees, thank you. We always appreciate the kindness and generosity shown to us throughout the year.

Thank you to all the agencies who participated and were in attendance on Saturday July 27th for the unveiling of the bronze statue of the late Brent Thompson. It was so nice to see so many citizens of our community come out in support for the Thompson family, seeing DART Police Chief Spiller again and meeting several Dallas PD officers. Thanks and appreciation to all who put so much thought and time into this well organized and meaningful event.

On Monday, July 29, 2019, NCSO detectives located Kyler McKeen, the runaway who had been missing since July 16, 2019, in Mesquite. Good job Lt. Andrews and Sgt. Bates on being diligent and locating this young man. Glad he was returned safe and unharmed.

My wife and I recently returned from attending the Sheriff’s Association of Texas 141st Annual Training Conference in San Antonio. There were over 1,500 in attendance and over 250 exhibits at the Expo where attendees could get familiar with the latest technology and products offered to the law enforcement and corrections community.

The Sheriffs' Association of Texas is one of the oldest law enforcement associations in the nation. The Sheriffs' Association of Texas met for the first time on August 14, 1874, in the courthouse in Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas. The Sheriffs began annual training conferences in 1878 and these training conferences today are the largest composite gathering of law enforcement officers in Texas. Sheriffs and other county and local law enforcement officers, federal and state officers and major industry security personnel attend. This event allows Sheriffs, Deputies, Federal, State and City Law Enforcement Officers to network and discuss different issues that affect law enforcement across the state and nation.

This year, participants received training on a variety of topics including: Civilian Interaction Training, Criminal Profiling, Legislative Updates, Use of Drones in Lae Enforcement, Child Abuse Investigations, Gang Culture and more. Through the support of their members, Sheriff’s Association of Texas provides training, legal/technical information and other critical resources to Peace Officers in Texas. It also offers college scholarships to Peace Officers and their children who wish to continue their education. In addition, they honor Fallen Officers with their Lost Lawman Memorial.

The Sheriff's Office had approximately 3,494 calls for service in July and our Dispatch received 1,865 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 214 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 246 inmates. The Narcotics Unit arrested thirteen suspects, filed twelve criminal cases and served seven outstanding arrest warrants. Fourteen inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and seven other inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP Units to serve their sentences. This month we estrayed five horses and two donkeys and transported them to our county farm at Petty’s Chapel. We sold one bull at Corsicana Livestock for $1,247.14 and four horses and one donkey at Elkhart Horse Sale for $894.

Congratulations to Deputy Joseph White on his recent promotion to Corporal in Detention at the NCSO. We wish Corporal White all the best with his new position. We had one resignation this month and we are currently accepting applications for vacancies in the communications and detention divisions. As in the past, applications will continue to be taken for any vacancy until the position is filled.

- If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
- If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
- If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
- If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
- If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
- If you plant hard work, you will reap success
- If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you reap later.

-Author Unknown

As always, God bless and be safe

Sheriff Elmer Tanner