Volume 12 Number 7 GAME ON!
AUGUST 2012
Behind The BADGE DALLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
FROM THE SHERIFF You may have noticed a few changes in the past month, especially in the evening hours. That’s because the executive staff and I have begun a monthly two-day evening schedule rotation. Our goal is to take time to experience what all our shifts experience. After all, The Dallas Sheriff’s Department is a 24-7-365 day operation. Everyone is a big contributor in the successful daily operations. So know that we are accessible and value your feedback in helping keep the Dallas Sheriff’s Department as an exemplary workplace. - Sheriff Lupe Valdez Inside this issue:
D.E.F.Y. Camp
2012 Corporate Challenge Highlights
Cycling Team Updates
Cultural Exchange Dinner
Police Vehicle Design Award
Employee of the Month Award
Retirements
Birthday Celebration
Executive Staff Evening Shifts: Sept. 19th & 20th, 2012 Oct. 17th & 18th, 2012 Dallas.Sheriff.Dept
@dallas_sheriff
Corporate Challenge 2012: Opening Ceremony
Pictured above left: Our Special Olympian Bryan Blanton makes his way during the Aug. 17 opening ceremonies. Right: Members of #TeamDCSD meet Bryan for the first time. The sporting competition is on and will be in full effect through mid-October as the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department takes part in the Richardson Corporate Challenge, benefitting the Special Olympics. This year, #TeamDCSD teams up with Special Olympian Bryan Blanton. He and his family had an opportunity to mingle with other players of the 2012 teams during the opening ceremony, which included a one-mile walk at the Galatyn Plaza in Richardson. 2012 is the largest corporate challenge by far with 51 teams participating within 6 divisions, including the sheriff’s department which competes in the A Division. Many thanks to everyone for their support and investment in the cause!
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D.E.F.Y. Camp 2012
Pictured top right: Deputy V. Zuñiga talks to the youth group about the importance of staying in school and away from drugs. Top center: Deputy J. Wall, Deputy J. Madison and Deputy F. Resendez talk with students in the classroom about the consequences of truancy. Top right/bottom: Deputy T. Trout and his K-9 partner Diuk show and tell just how drug searches work. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department took part in the U.S. Navy’s Drug Education for Youth Program (D.E.F.Y.) which works with at-risk youth. Deputy Wall coordinated presentations to give students an insider look at what happens if you opt to skip school. Deputies discusses how choosing to not go to school, not only affects students, but also their parents who can face truancy charges that can be very costly. The students had a particularly entertaining time with Deputy Trout and his K-9 partner Diuk who simulated a drug search exercise for the group. The students got to see first just how strong and smart a K-9 can be. The group also received a goodie bag and some autograph trading cards from the deputies in attendance. D.E.F.Y. is a year-long prevention program which helps build character, leadership, and confidence in students ages 9 to 12 so they can live a healthy drug-free lifestyle. D.E.F.Y. is in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Navy, the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth and the U.S. Department of Justice Weed & Seed Program.
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Corporate Challenge: Game on! #TeamDCSD
Deputy Hines accepts a spirit stick award.
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Volleyball team kicks off play action!
Basketball team takes the gold during 3-day tourney! > Punt, Pass & Kick Team >
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Dodge ball crew is a beast on the court.
Men’s Tennis Team
> Mixed Tennis Team
It’s been a successful month through the first three weeks of action in this year’s Richardson Corporate Challenge. Under the leadership of Chief Herrera, Deputy Hines and Deputy Limones, #TeamDCSD has competed in volleyball, a punt-pass-kick competition (originally postponed because of West Nile Virus aerial spraying), dodge ball, basketball and tennis. The basketball team, which included one female player, was the first to bring a gold medal home, handling all competitors over a 3-day tournament. GO TEAM! #TeamDCSD also earned a spirit stick award and has been featured in the neighborsgo.com website. Much of the competition has truly brought out the kid in many participants, especially when it came to dodge ball. All of this could not be made possible if it wasn’t for everyone’s commitment to make the games. A special thank you goes out to Officers Offrey, Miranda and Reyes for clearing their schedule to fill the dodge ball team roster. Here is what’s ahead for September and October. Come out and cheer the team on! Basketball Gold Medalist Roster: Tony Burnell, Donovan Davis, Brian Folsom, Billy Hamilton, Curfey Henderson, NeKeshia Henderson, Melvin Hinton, Daniel Joseph, Montra Nelson, Chris Pruitt, Charles Stoker, Derrick Williams. Subs: Alex Davis, Michael Foster, Eric Gomez, Jay Hampton, Keyon Hampton, Adrian Moffett.
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Dallas Sheriff’s Department Cycling Team
Pictured above from L to R: Full moon greeted riders for the Granbury Ride, CareFlight flyover launches the race at 6:35 a.m., Capt. Mitchell is set to go, “Deputy Dawg” comes in, CareFlight ends race at 1300 hours (Courtesy of Mrs. Ruth Mitchell) It’s been a busy summer for members of the Dallas Sheriff’s Department Cycling Team. On Sat. Aug. 4, Captain David Mitchell was among the estimated 1,000 riders taking part in the Granbury Ride which toured through Comanche Peak and the Paluxy River, along the Brazos and through many gruesome rolling hills. Captain Mitchell’s distance was 77.27 miles, traveling at an average speed of 15-18 mph, with an overall ride time of 5:05. His knowledgeable experience made him a great mentor for several new event riders. The action continued Sat. Aug 25 in Wichita Falls. Three members of the cycling team geared up for the Hotter N’ Hell 100 mile course: David Mosman, Doug Gray and Captain David Mitchell. This year’s course took riders through Sheppard Air Force Base. Some of the journey included rides through 25 mph wind in the 90plus degree heat. At about mile 95, riders rode through a gauntlet of about 500 Air Force cadets cheering them on as they rode their tired legs through the final miles of the course. Mosman rode his personal best time and distance completing 67.3 miles; Mitchell rode for 100.2+ miles. The team plans to recruit a larger group to take part in the event next year. The team’s next competition will be in the Richardson Corporate Challenge on Sun. Sept. 9, 2012 which will begin at the UT-Dallas campus in Richardson off Campbell Road. Race starts @ 8 a.m.
Turkish Cultural Exchange Dinner
A local Turkish group hosted an Interfaith Dialogue Dinner (IDD) with the Dallas Sheriff’s Department executive staff on Aug. 8, 2012. IDDs have started a new era of organized dinner parties to promote the true understanding of the month of Ramadan. Iftar dinners occur after sunset during Ramadan to break a fast.
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2012 Police Vehicle Design Contest Winner
Meet the first place vehicle design contest winner of the “Sheriff Department Over 25 Officers, West” category for LAW and Order Magazine. The winning design was designed by Deputy J. Bledsoe, in cooperation with Pursuit Safety Incorporated. The 2012 Vehicle Design judges focused on the safety of the officer driving and the ability to identify the automobile as a law enforcement vehicle. The overall appearance of the vehicle was also factored into the results. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department new design follows the body lines of the Charger, Caprice, Ford Interceptor and Tahoe. 3M Scotchlite Reflective graphics were used for the vehicle except for the roof, which is non-reflective. The design kept the traditional black hood and black trunk, which dates back to the 1950s as well as the department’s badge as their trademark. The design is already on the department’s Charger and Caprice models. Judges’ comments: They did something different with the body lines; it’s simple and very clean, easy to read. This design is not overdone and it’s pleasing to the eye. More than 500 entries were submitted in this year’s competition. This year’s contest was judged by two law enforcement professionals and one industry professional: Marshal Chris Fine, Kingsford Heights, Ind. Police Department; Chief Dan Godfrey, Bedfork Park, Ill. Police Department; and Mike Navarro, General Manager, Pro-gard Products. You can read the full article written by Jennifer Gavigan in the Law and Order Magazine issue.
Prison Rape Elimination Act Training Several deputies assigned to the Transportation Division attended the highly talked about PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act), among other juvenile training, at the Henry Wade Juvenile Detention Facility in August. This is the first training to take place and be initiated by the Dallas Sheriff's Department since the May 2012 acknowledgement and compliance date by the department. The training was put on by the Juvenile Department and the following deputies from the Transportation Division Juvenile / Mental Health Unit were in attendance: Broderick Bacon, Krystle Howell, Michelle Applewhite, Dennis Stafford. Ruby Mayweather assisted in identifying the class and served as liaison between the two departments.
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Employee Spotlight Detective Walter Clifton Dallas County’s Employee of the Month July 2012 Detective Clifton is the lead insurance fraud investigator for the North Texas Auto Theft Task Force. He’s responsible for training newly assigned insurance fraud investigators and assigning insurance fraud cases. Even with all that work load, CIifton has managed to find time to recover 21 stolen vehicles valued at $203,650 for the month of July. He is always willing to be the first on the scene to make an arrest and volunteer for assignments others may not be too eager to do. Detective Clifton’s tact, commonsense, professional knowledge and devotion to his duty is an inspiration to his peers. His positive attitude and professionalism has represented the Dallas Sheriff Department and the North Texas Auto Theft Task Force North Texas well. He began his career with the Dallas Sheriff’s Department in March 1994.
Happy Retirement Abraham Kalackattu Abraham Kalackattu's retirement party was held August 23, 2012. As a Clerk 6, he assisted in training other employees assigned to the Technical Services Bureau, Release Division, Inmate Property/Vault Section. He retires after 21 years of service to the Dallas Sheriff’s Department. Congratulations!
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Buon Pensionamento… That’s Happy Retirement in Italiano!
Deputy George Franklin is retiring after serving 34 years with the Dallas Sheriff’s Department. Friends gathered to pay tribute to a quiet-natured man with a pleasant smile who greeted many people at the Frank Crowley Court Building every morning. The Judicial Services Division sent Deputy Franklin off into retirement with many kind words. Congratulations! Special Olympics
Raffle tickets are in. They are $5.00. ALL PROCEEDS go directly to Special Olympics. Win one of these three great prizes: (2) pair of round-trip tickets to anywhere United Airlines flies in the US48, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and Central America. Grand Prize: A pair of round-trip tickets anywhere United Airlines flies AND Argentina, Brazil, Europe, Hawaii, Middle East, India, Micronesia, Guam Asia, Fiji, Australia-New Zealand. Trips will include a 3-night stay within the Hilton Portfolio of Brands; Grand Prize Trip will include a 4-night stay within the Hilton Worldwide Portfolio. Travel must be completed by August 15, 2013. Contact Deputy Hines or Deputy Limones at 214.653.2601!!
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Announcements
Shoppers’ Corner Sheriff’s Department Throw
DEATHS Aug. 2, 2012: Manuela Del Bosque, mother of Deputy Robert Del Bosque and mother-in-law of Deputy Efrain Gonzalez, of Court Services, passed away. Aug. 7, 2012: Ann Lacy, grandmother of DSO Brad Fortner, 3rd Watch, Central Intake, passed away following a lengthy illness. Aug. 10, 2012: Pastor Y. Zachariah passed away. He is the father-inlaw of DMU Release Supervisor Sunila Zachariah and DMU Document Imaging Thresiamma Johnson, grandfather of DMU Bonds Aniyamma Paul, father of DMU Intake new-hire Sussamma George. Aug. 11, 2012: DSO Angel Moreno’s father was shot and killed in a high jacking incident near Mexico City. No further information is available.
48’ X 68’ throw to keep you warm, $35.00 each
Aug. 13, 2012: The brother of DSO Keilandria Huff was shot and killed. No further information is available. Aug. 22, 2012: Gloria Reyna, mother of Detective Raul Reyna of the Special Investigation Division, passed away. Aug. 27, 2012: Phillip Kattapuram, brother-in-law of DMU Release Lead Clerk Phillip Chandy and DMU Intake Section Clerk Aleyamma Chandy passed away in India.
Our thoughts and prayers are with each family member during this difficult time.
Sheriff’s one inch badge lapel pins $3.50 each or get 3 for $10 Contact: Marian Ogletree (214) 653-3462
Happy 50th Birthday Lt. Howard Sparks! CIS helped celebrate their LT earlier this month.
Dallas County Sheriff’s Department 133 N. Riverfront Blvd. LB-31 Dallas, Texas 75207-4313
For submission of a newsletter item: Sheriffmedia@dallascounty.org
For the latest updates:
www.dallas-sheriff.com
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