Volume 12 Number 11 2013 IS HERE!
DECEMBER 2012 HIGHLIGHTS
Behind The BADGE DALLAS COUNTY SHERIFF‟S DEPARTMENT FROM THE SHERIFF With the advent of 2013, I would like to thank everyone for doing their part in ensuring a safe holiday season for all of Dallas County. The DWI enforcement operation was a great success, once again. For the second consecutive year, we had no fatality accidents to report, as well as any injuries to our deputies during the holiday enforcement period. There were several twists and turns last year, including the loss of dear friends and few colleagues moving on to new endeavors. But there also were several gains for Dallas County Sheriff’s Department personnel. We value your dedication and look forward to another productive year. Happy new year! —Sheriff Lupe Valdez
Inside this issue:
Sgt. Riggins’ Legacy
Meet Sgt. RatcliffSaldana
Bryant Joseph Christmas in the Community Event
The Bridge to Communities
Prison Fellowship Angel Tree Program
Sheriff Valdez’s Visit Abroad
Congrats Lt. Bonner
Retirements
Courtroom Bailiff Training
Employee of the Month
KwanzaaFest 2012 Beat Obesity 5K Walk/Run Next Executive Staff Evening Shift: Jan. 30 and 31, 2013 Feb. 27 and 28, 2013
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Remembering Sgt. Kenneth Riggins
Pictured above: Members of the Sheriff’s Executive Staff Office paid tribute to Sgt. Riggins with this memorial at the Frank Crowley Courts Building. Sergeant Kenneth D. Riggins died in an off-duty car accident December 3, 2012 near Quinlan, Texas. He was doing what he did best, lending a hand. Sgt. Riggins began working for the Dallas Sheriff’s Department in 1992 as a detention service officer. Through hard work and sacrifice, he became a deputy in 1997. He joined the sheriff’s executive staff in November of 2009, where he oversaw the department’s strategic planning section. He is survived by his wife, Terry Riggins; his children, Star Riggins, Patricia Luna, Kenneth Riggins, II; parents, Donna Miller, Douglas Riggins (Retired Senior Sgt. Dallas Co. Sheriff Dept.); siblings, Doug Riggins, Elaine & Lenny Smith (brother-in-law & best friend), Roseanna Hottel; Aunt, Sharon & Will Parker; many nieces and nephews.
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Legacy of Sgt. Kenneth Riggins
Pictured above: Color Guard members and officers line up outside the Sunnyvale Baptist Church to pay respect to Sgt. Kenneth Riggins. May he rest in peace.
Joining the Sheriff‟s Executive Office Introducing Sgt. Dawn Ratcliff-Saldana Sgt. Dawn Ratcliff-Saldana will be taking over duties in the Strategic Planning Section following the loss of Sgt. Kenneth Riggins. She began her duties as part of the sheriff’s executive office Dec. 31, 2012. She most recently worked in the Traffic Division, as a Third Watch Supervisor. The sergeant started her career with the Dallas Sheriff’s Department in 1993 as a detention service officer. In 2000, she became a deputy and in 2011 she became a sergeant.
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Bryant Joseph Christmas in the Community
Pictured top left: Entertainment by J.D. Monson along with Detective R. Reyna’s DJ skills. Top right: Traffic Division deputies roll out the VIP treatment for Santa’s arrival at the event. Bottom left: A little dancing with the youth on the basketball court. Bottom right: North Texas Auto Theft Task Force engage with families about auto safety. The Dallas Sheriff’s Department participated in the 5th Annual Bryant Joseph Christmas in the Community event, under the direction of Captain Mark Howard. The event which honors the memory of former DISD middle school principal Bryant Joseph provides holiday gifts to hundreds of families across Dallas. The Dec. 15, 2012 event at P.C. Cobb Stadium is an opportunity for the Dallas Sheriff’s Department to serve a segment of the community, which often times goes forgotten during the holiday season. The Bryant Joseph Christmas in the Community event started five years ago as a small gathering to provide holiday assistance for a few families. Since then, the event has grown to include over a hundred families. Joseph Bryant served as principal at Fred F. Florence Middle School where he helped turn the school from unacceptable academic status to exemplary academic status in three years. The Louisiana native’s life was cut short after suffering a heart attack in 2007. Special thanks to Dr. Murchison for the generous $500 contribution.
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“Bridge to the Communities” Committee at Work iPad mini winner!
Above: Lt. J. McGinnis winner!
Above: Raffle drawing time!
Ms. Crista Walker won the $250 Visa Gift Card.
CONGRATULATIONS! Save-the-date: 1/17/13 in Duncanville.
4 other winners of a Pappadeux dinner in January:
TJ (Tracy Johnson)Transportation Mary Benson-West Tower
Above: Sgt. Woods is one of five Pappadeux dinner raffle winners!
Dora Elizondo-Detentions Admin.
Theresa Smith –DMU
―Bridge to Communities” committee members invite you to join in on the fun with these five dinner ticket winners!
Event will take place in a private room and a DJ will provide entertainment for the evening. All proceeds go to the Bridge to the Communities. Don’t miss out on the fun. March 2013’s department wide formal celebration is right around the corner. Contact committee members to purchase a ticket.
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Prison Fellowship Angel Tree Thanks to the efforts of the Inmate Program Division, in partnership with the non-profit Prison Fellowship, children of incarcerated individuals were able to receive a little holiday cheer, despite their current family circumstances. For the second year, the Prison Fellowship Angel Tree program adopted children of incarcerated individuals within the Dallas County jail. Applications were collected during the summer and over 700 applications were submitted. The national program is unique because it works exclusively year-round with children who have an incarcerated parent. The holiday program helps as a reminder to the children that their mom and/or dad still love them. Prison Fellowship coordinators take the applications and distribute to local churches for adoption of the children. Volunteers then purchase all the gift wishes and allow the incarcerated parent to include a personalized message with each gift for each child. Dallas County jail is the only county-level participant in the program, as the 7th largest jail in the nation. The program usually only works with state prisons. This year, Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The program was started in Alabama by Mary Kay Beard—who went from the FBI’s Most Wanted List, to founder of a program that has reached the hearts of more than 9 million children across the United States. Chapa’s holiday story was featured nationally on the Telemundo network on Christmas Day. The program helps execute Sheriff Lupe Valdez’s philosophy of treating inmates in a humane manner, as well as supporting positive community outreach programs. Pictured top left: Casandra Chapa accepts Telemundo’s interview request to thank Prison Fellowship coordinators. Top right: Prison Fellowship minister and volunteer Albino Estrada, along with Sheriff Lupe Valdez, and local Telemundo anchor Nancy Leal, with Dave Baer, Prison Fellowship’s Texas Field Director. Bottom left: Chapa’s son and nieces got early Christmas goodies with personalized messages. Bottom right: The children enjoyed some of their new gifts. Bottom right: (Photos courtesy of Prison Fellowship’s Dave Baer, Texas Field Director)
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Sheriff Valdez Abroad
Pictured above left: Sheriff Lupe Valdez is introduced in one of several Mexican townships during a recent exchange trip. Pictured above right: Hundreds of local residents in attendance listen in. Sheriff Lupe Valdez recently met with several Mexican township mayors in the central Mexican state of San Luis PotosĂ. The visit in the photos above took place in the municipality of Ciudad FernĂĄndez. Sheriff Valdez talked about several quality of life issues, among several topics, the economy.
Congratulations to Lt. Patrick Bonner Lt. Patrick Bonner was recently recognized with a certificate of merit by the Dallas Police Department for his exemplary conduct and excellence in law enforcement performance.
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„Tis Retirement Season
Pictured above: Deputy Brian Cook and Sheriff Valdez, along with his wife and son, son celebrate 31 years of service to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department on Dec. 18, 2012. Deputy Cook most recently served as bailiff. He pledged to spend more time on the golf course upon retirement. Best wishes on his future endeavors!
Pictured above: After 32 years of service Investigator Kenneth Dean is taking some time off. The Personnel staff along with many family members were in attendance for his retirement celebration Dec. 19, 2012. Investigator Dean volunteered countless hours creating identification cards for various department community programs. He was also the man who spearheaded the preservation of Deputy Nikolas Tresp’s Badge #47 which was officially honored in September. Investigator Dean intends to return to the department on a part-time basis. The history buff has a vision to one day help establish a Dallas Sheriff’s Department Museum.
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Courtroom Situational Shooting Bailiff Training
The Dallas Sheriff’s Department is doing its part to actively continue to prepare for situational training in the courtrooms. Bailiffs went through a 16-hour training course on things such as situational shooting to ensure safety in the county courtrooms. In 2013, Dallas County officials have plans to expand their training to include active shooter simulations.
Employee of the Month
Detention Service Officer Lashonda Lacy Dallas County’s Employee of the Month November 2012 Lashonda Lacy works as the nurse officer for Dr. Carolyn Flangin in North Tower. DSO Lacy is one of the most dependable, reliable, and able-bodied officers that the North Tower 2nd has. She always has a smile on her face, a positive attitude, and is always ready and willing to help out any time she can. Lacy has functioned as sergeant and DSO. She fills in when needed to cover the supervisors’ office. She takes time to teach younger officers the correct ways to operate. She always goes above and beyond when it comes to her work duties and ethics. Lacy repeatedly ranks outstanding in her performance evaluations and does not misuse her time. She is professional in appearance and demeanor, and if Dallas County had more like her there would not be complaint. Lacy began her career with the Dallas Sheriff’s Department on November 10, 1998.
KwanzaaFest 2012 Congratulations! Deputy S. Franklin and Chief Jesse Flores placed first in each of their age categories. The Annual Beat Obesity 5K Walk/Run and 1 Mile Kid’s Run took place Sat. Dec. 8, 2012. The occasion helps increase awareness about the health related problems associated with obesity.
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Announcements
Shoppers‟ Corner
BIRTHS Dec. 9, 2012: Congratulations to Deputy Steve Angrum, Bailiff Section, and his wife Shontell on the birth of Niriah LeAundrea Angrum. She weighed 7 lbs., 11 oz. and is 19 inches long. GET WELL WISHES Dec. 9, 2012: Mary Elijah, DMU-Release-Third Watch Supervisor, was admitted to the hospital. SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST Dec. 18, 2012: Donna Nokes-Rieckens, mother of Lt. Thomas Jacobson, North Tower-2nd Watch, has been hospitalized in a coma for over a year. Recently, she developed pneumonia and is battling congestive heart failure. She is in a hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.
Sheriff’s one inch badge lapel pins $3.50 each or get 3 for $10 Contact: Marian Ogletree (214) 653-3462
Season‟s Greetings
DEATHS Nov. 30, 2012: Ocelia Lewis, retired clerk once who worked in document imaging for the Data Management Unit, passed away. Dec. 10, 2012: Mary Stephens, grandmother of Jasmyne Stephens, DMU-Release-2nd Watch, passed away. Dec. 16, 2012: Ioma Dean, mother of Investigator Kenneth Dean, Personnel Section, passed away after a short illness. Dec. 18, 2012: Fannie Mae Whitmill, mother of DSO Jackie Whitmill, West Tower-Mental Health Team, passed away. Dec. 21, 2012: Pearlie Mae Williams, grandmother of Linda Williams, Bond Section-Clerk 8-2nd Watch passed away. Retired DSO Bennie ―Catfish‖ Pearson passed away. He worked for the department from June 1993 to Jan. 2006. Lois Turner, step-mother of Bonds/Warrant Section-Clerk 5 Rose Tolbert passed away. Lois’s daughter, who is the step-sister of Rose Tolbert suffered a stroke on Christmas Eve, received a pacemaker and is recovering. Dec. 27, 2012: Retired Deputy Williams ―Dub‖ Grandstaff passed away. Grandstaff worked for the department from 1962 to 1981. Our thoughts and prayers are with each family member during this difficult time.
Dallas County Sheriff’s Department 133 N. Riverfront Blvd. LB-31 Dallas, Texas 75207-4313
Vault 1st Watch would like wish all the Dallas Sheriff's Department a happy and safe holiday season!
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