Dear Citizens,
I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving and are looking forward to enjoying the holiday season with friends and family.
I have been watching the recent developments closely around our State and Country in relation to your Second Amendment rights. As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for Navarro County, I am here to reassure you I fully support your Second Amendment rights. Regardless of the fact if Navarro County is a "2nd Amendment Sanctuary County" or not, I am a Constitutional Sheriff who follows the law and FIRMLY believes in your constitutional rights. Be assured, we will never enforce any law that is unconstitutional nor that would ever take away our citizens rights to protect themselves or their families from being harmed. Thank you to those who have reached out to me regarding this matter and simply know this...My job is to serve and protect you, our great citizens of Navarro County.
This month our NCSO Facebook page reached over 14,000 likes. I would like to thank you, the citizens, for your continued support. It is 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 in the place in which you live, where you work, play and raise your families. Communication through social media is a powerful tool when utilized properly. And 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.
On Saturday November 2nd, many who save lives were honored at the Evening of Heroes by Parkland Health and Hospital System at Union Station in Dallas. "Heroes can be big or small, obvious or quiet, providing inspiration and hope to the people they meet every day." At Parkland heroes can be found in first responders who run toward danger, doctors and nurses who believe that all patients deserve to be treated with compassion, and patients who never give up on their recovery, no matter how long the road. It is these heroes - first responders, caregivers, patients and their families - who will be honored during this inaugural event." Mrs. Margaret Rowland told her story of the night her life changed forever in Dawson, April 2017 during a house explosion. She wanted to thank all those who had a part in saving her life and allowing her to spend many more years with her grandchildren. I felt it quite an honor to be amongst the others from that tragic event in Dawson that night. Myself, along with other NCSO officers, Corsicana FD and Dawson VFD members, sat in the company of the many other first responders, trauma care nurses and doctors who not only had a part in saving Mrs. Rowland's life but who save many lives every day with compassion at a moment's notice.
I was contacted by a concerned citizen stating they had received a call from the Social Security Administration. Stated "I just received a call from the SS Administration. They need me to "call immediately" in regards to all the criminal activity. They've suspended all activity regarding my account. What should I do?" This citizen did the right thing by contacting local Law Enforcement and not providing any personal information to the scammers. The number was not in service upon return call from law enforcement. Always pay attention and NEVER give out personal info. Do not become a Scam victim.
All our veterans were celebrated last month and again I would like to say thank you. We may not know them all, but we owe them all the deepest and sincerest of gratitude. A veteran, whether active duty, retired, National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve is someone who at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check made payable to the 'United States of America' for an amount of up to and including their life. Our veterans accepted the responsibility to defend America and uphold our values when duty called. For your bravery and courage; For your hard work, sacrifice and unselfish dedication to our country, to all veterans I would like to say not just on Veterans Day but every day, Thank You.
I also thank the men and women of the NCSO Color Guard who were honored to take part in the Navarro County Veterans Day ceremony. Many of the members of our Honor and Color Guard Units, along with several other of our NCSO members, not only served our country in the armed forces but continue to serve our citizens today in law enforcement. Your service and dedication is still appreciated today.
On Monday, November 4th, the NCSO arrested a man and woman at their residence in the 5700 block of S I-45 West in Angus on multiple felony charges. The NCSO had responded to the report of a small child found walking on the service road near the FM 739 overpass at Angus. A good Samaritan had observed the child walking unattended in the roadway and had picked the child up and stayed with the child until Deputies arrived. The NCSO requested Child Protective Services come to the location to assist with the investigation. Deputies later learned a possible address for the child and Patrol Deputies along with CID investigators responded to the location to verify if the parents lived at the location. The Deputies were able to verify that the child did in fact reside at the residence as well as two additional siblings. The Deputies obtained verbal consent to search the location and found what was observed to be deplorable living conditions inside the residence and an indoor marijuana growing operation inside. The suspects were arrested for one count of abandon or endangering a child (imminent danger) State Jail Felony offense, and three counts of abandon or endangering a child (criminal negligence) State Jail Felony offense. Both suspects were also charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession.
On Thursday, November 7th, Kerens Police Department and Navarro County Sheriff's Office located and arrested Roderick Acy on 24 Felony Warrants that were obtained by the Corsicana Police Department. The warrants were for Burglary of Building, Man/Del CS PG 2 and Possession of Dangerous Drugs. A job well done by Kerens PD officer Terry Jackson and NCSO Deputies Sergeant William Grigsby and Deputy Clayton Van Loocke.
On Friday, November 15th the Navarro County Sheriff's Office CID was notified by the McLennan County Sheriff's Office CID of a wanted fugitive with a Federal warrant out of the Western District of Texas for Conspiracy to Possess Stolen Firearms who was believed to be in Navarro County. Our CID investigators were familiar with the suspect from previous investigations earlier this year where we assisted McLennan County S.O. with their investigation. The suspect was located and arrested without incident at a residence on NW 3322 in the Brushie Prairie community. This is just another example of agencies working together to help keep our community safe. Good job to all.
On Monday, November 18th NCSO Detectives observed a known wanted person at a business in the Angus area. When approached by officers to attempt confirming the identity of the subject, the male subject provided a fictitious name. Upon further questioning, the subject fled on foot. Officers pursued and caught the suspect who resisted officers but was taken into custody at the scene. After being taken into custody, it was discovered that the suspect was actually at a prohibited location due to an active protective order for a person at the business. The suspect was transported to the NCSO jail and booked on Evading Arrest with Previous Conviction, Resisting Arrest, Failure to Identify Fugitive Give False Info, Violation of Protective Order, and three active NCSO Probation Violation warrants.
On Wednesday, November 20th the NCSO responded to an assist other agency call in reference to an officer involved shooting in Richland. The scene was ultimately turned over to the Texas Rangers to continue the investigation. I am proud to report that no officers were injured as a result of this incident.
On Wednesday, November 27th Lubbock Police issued a bulletin that they were currently searching for 77-year-old female, who was reported missing by a family member around 5:00 p.m. Family members advised she left Lubbock and headed to Killeen, TX on Tuesday, November 26th. She was driving a silver 2018 Chevrolet Silverado with Texas license plates. Her cell phone was pinged between Angus and Richland, TX, just south of Corsicana. She was considered missing and endangered due to a medical condition.
I am very proud to report that thanks to the combined efforts of law enforcement and first responders from Richland VFD, she was found safe in southern Navarro County. I commend everyone who worked together in the search as well as our communications officers who stayed in constant communication with her. Throughout the night, not only did they keep her calm, but relayed vital information to searchers attempting to find her and her stranded vehicle. A great job by all.
Thank you to the folks at Polyguard Products in Corsicana for allowing me to instruct the Recognition and Response to Active Shooter class. I appreciate the opportunity to put on this valuable training in our community and as always, it's my sincere hope that it will never be needed.
Captain Cagle, Deputy Lane and myself want to say thank you to Mrs. Garcia for allowing the NCSO to come by and speak with her CISD Pre-K class last month. We all had a great time interacting with the kids and seeing their smiles.
I want to thank Ervin and Gail Richards, Frank and Gayle Steed for their generous and thoughtful donations of stuffed animals to the NCSO. We will gladly distribute them to children who have been victimized in some way or another.
Thank you to the Gertson's for dropping off four homemade pumpkin pies at the NCSO and to the American Legion for furnishing a Thanksgiving meal to our NCSO correctional staff. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.
We are continually training to provide better prepared and qualified officers at the NCSO. A summary of this month's training include: Mandatory firearms qualification for all officers. The State mandates annual proficiency evaluation but we exceed the State standard by holding the firearms qualification semi-annually. We also require a minimum 80% proficiency instead of the State mandated 70%. Our JPX certified instructors also conducted recertification training on the Centurion Law Enforcement (CLE) Deployment System.
The Sheriff's Office had approximately 2,950 calls for service in November and our Dispatch received 1,809 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 204 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center and the average daily jail population was 213 inmates. The Narcotics Unit arrested fourteen suspects, filed seventeen criminal cases and served thirteen outstanding arrest warrants. Ten inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and five other inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP Units to serve their sentences. This month we estrayed one horse and hauled it to our county farms at Petty's Chapel. We sold one bull, one cow, and 7 calves from the Angus Farm at Corsicana Livestock Auction for $5,282.94. We also sold one estray cow for $216.43 and one estray heifer calf for $97.85 at Corsicana Livestock Auction. We also sold 2 estray horses for $52 and 2 estray donkeys for $156 at Elkhart Horse Sale.
Congratulations and best of luck to Deputy Aubyn Turner who was promoted to Corporal in Detention this month. We had one resignation this month and we are currently accepting applications for vacancies in communications and the detention division. As in the past, applications will continue to be taken for any vacancy until the position is filled.
As we enter the holidays, I feel it is important to remember that not everyone is looking forward to the festivities and celebrations of the season. Many are not surrounded by large families and friens especially during this time of year. Some are overcome with great sadness when they are reminded each day of the loved ones who are no longer here. Sadly, many in our community have passed on and it will be a first Christmas without a particular loved one present. I would like to ask that you reach out to your neighbors, those in the community that you know and are aware of their struggles, financial issues and health concerns. Let them know that someone cares. No one person is immune to difficulties or heartache and we all need compassion, support, understanding and to know we are thought of not just during the holidays but everyday.
From my family to yours, may Gods blessings shine down upon you this holiday season. I hope you will take the time to take a step back from your busy lives, enjoy and appreciate time with your loved ones and remember this. If you have a family that loves you, a few good friends, food on your table and a roof over your head, you are richer than you think.
As always, God bless and be safe
Sheriff Elmer Tanner