Volume 13 Number 05
MAY 2013 HIGHLIGHTS
Behind The BADGE DALLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Inside this issue:
Assisting in West
MADD Banquet 2013
GED Mock Graduation
National Correctional Officers Week
Roseland Housing Project
Employee of the Month
Book Donation
Volunteering
Retirements Next Executive Staff Evening Shift: July 24 and 25, 2013 Aug. 7 and 8, 2013
Dallas.Sheriff.Dept
@dallas_sheriff
FROM THE SHERIFF The beauty about law enforcement is being able to provide support and protection to communities. This month, we’ve collaborated with various regional agencies. Some of our deputies helped provide 24-7 patrolling in the aftermath of the West explosion. Others assisted in the days after the deadly tornado in Hood County. We also joined collaborative training efforts with the North Texas Crime Commission, U.S. Department of Justice and HIDTA. After all, the bottom line is having the best trained law enforcement officers protecting our citizens, under any given circumstance. Thank you to everyone for embodying these fundamentals. In law enforcement, we try to offer a helping hand when possible, while also taking time to honor those who have paid with the ultimate sacrifice. —Sheriff Lupe Valdez
Fallen Deputy Memorial Ceremony
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department Annual Fallen Deputy Memorial Ceremony. Photos courtesy of Ed Clark. The Sixth Annual Dallas County Sheriff’s Department Fallen Deputies Memorial Ceremony took place at Founders Plaza on May 17, 2013. The event pays respect to the 19 deputies who have paid the ultimate sacrifice since the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department was established in 1846. This year’s event was led by Lt. Patrick D. Bonner. The first death took place in January 1871. Deputy James McMahan who had just started his first day on the job, along with his partner Deputy Charles Nichols were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect. The last deputy to die in the line of duty happened in 1995. Deputy James Robert Allman died in a vehicle accident on August 5, 1995. Allman had responded to a call about a suspicious person when he lost control of his cruiser and struck a tree.
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MADD Awards Banquet 2013
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers of Dallas County recently awarded several awards to some of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department deputies. The annual event recognizes officers with the most DWI arrests in 2012. This year the following deputies were recognized with an Enforcement Hero Award: Deputy Guerrero Gutierrez 31 arrests out of 246—He recently became a Field Training Officer. Deputy Scott Selby 27 arrests out of 246 He was a Field Training Officer for some time and shares his experience with new deputies. Deputy Phillip Koenig 20 arrests out of 246 Deputy Vanique Perry 27 arrests out of 246 COMMITMENT HERO AWARD: Detective Miguel Hernandez For the officer from each police department/agency who exemplified a strong overall commitment to DWI enforcement in 2012 Dallas County Sheriff’s Department Detective Miguel Hernandez filed 217 DWI related cases between mid-April (when he joined the Vehicle Crimes Unit) and December 31, 2012. Detective Hernandez has become the liaison to the DA’s Office for filing nearly all DWI related offenses that were investigated by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. Communication has increased and become very fluid between the DA’s intake section and the Vehicle Crimes Unit because of his efforts in this area. This has made it possible to identify issues within the court system and get that information back to the deputies on the street, so that they can conduct better investigations roadside and submit more informative reports for prosecution. Although the determination on whether or not a case is rejected by the DA’s Office does not solely fall upon Det. Hernandez, since he has taken these duties as his own, very few cases have been rejected for prosecution. His diligent efforts in ensuring that previous convictions, other pertinent facts and critical elements of a case are presented to the D.A.’s Office are to be commended. Det. Hernandez also participates in the monthly Victims Impact Panel that is presented by MADD. CONGRATULATIONS! Most recently during the 2013 Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-May 28, 2013) the Traffic Division reported ZERO alcohol related fatality crashes.
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Aftermath in West Dallas County Sheriff’s Department deputies took over 24-7 law enforcement operations in West, Texas. The relief assistance operation was in effect for a week and formally ended at 6 a.m. on May 7, 2013. Deputies helped alleviate some of Police Chief James Lawhorn and his staff’s duties. The West Police Department is staffed by six full-time officers and two part-timers who had been going non-stop since the April 17 explosion. Aside from helping with daily monitoring of the hardest hit areas of town, Dallas sheriff deputies assisted with some of the funeral escorts. Deputies expressed how humbling an experience it was to see the resilience of the residents of West. They shared stories of how residents who lost everything, still kindly tried to offer deputies a drink or meal while they patrolled the town. An estimated 170 homes in the hardest hit part of West will be demolished. It was a privilege to help the law enforcement brothers and sisters in the town of West. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department is committed to continue to extend a helping hand when needed, as the recovering efforts continue. Photos below: Capt. Mark Howard and Lt. Raymond Williams, along w/ Sgt. Rollins led a tour of the disaster area for Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Chief Jesse Flores.
Many thanks to Mr. Sebron Hood III, general manager at Hotel Lawrence in downtown Dallas. They kindly donated a get-away package for the Police Chief of West and his wife.
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Class of 2013 GED Graduates
Photo above left: DISD instructors Michelle Clark and Michael Thomas along with the eight participating graduates. Above right: Director of Inmate Programs Yolanda Lara shares some words with the graduates. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Programs Division coordinated the first ever, “mock” GED graduation ceremony. Eight incarcerated individuals spent long days preparing for their GED test working with two Dallas Independent School District volunteer instructors. The May 16, 2013 event took place inside one of the Kays Tower jail pods and included the traditional processional march. Director of Inmate Programs Yolanda Lara gave the opening remarks to the graduates and their own valedictorian provided fellow graduates with some hopeful remarks. CONGRATULATIONS!
National Correctional Officers Week
Central Intake Command and Supervisory Staff hosted a celebration to honor detention service officers during National Correctional Officers Week! (May 6 - 11, 2013) DSO's from the three jail towers, classification and release sections, DMU clerical staff and Parkland medical jail staff joined in the pizza and cake celebration, in honor of our DSO's for their overall contributions. Thanks to the Dallas County Peace Officers Association (DCPOA) for donating pizza for all three shifts.
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Roseland Housing Project
The Dallas Housing Authority recently celebrated the completion of their Roseland Community project with several city and county officials present. Renaissance Oaks is an 85-unit residence designated for seniors and residents with disabilities. The apartments look like any other market-rate apartment units with wood floors, large windows and incredible downtown skyline views.
Spiritual Book Donation Inmate Programs received a generous spiritual book donation from Texas Baptist Men on March 26,2013. The donation was accepted through the Sheriff’s Bridge to Communities non-profit. The donor requested the books be made available to all Dallas County Sheriff’s Department staff so the books are on display at the Religious Services Office, first floor in the Lew Sterrett lobby. Everyone is welcome to stop by and grab a free book!
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May 2013 Employee of the Month Detective Matthew Randall Detective Matthew Randall has been assigned to the Physical Evidence Section for 10 years. He requires no motivation and little supervision. He is recognized for his expertise. In April 2013, during his call-back week he processed four major crime scenes, along with numerous minor crime scenes. His work is thorough and meticulous. His professionalism is one of the major reasons other police agencies routinely call on our PES for assistance with major crime scenes. Detective Randall began his career with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department on December 3, 1992.
May Awards Ceremony The awards/promotions ceremony recognizing recipients for the Aug. 2012 through Nov. 2012 period took place May 2, 2013. A series of unforeseen circumstances caused the event’s rescheduling. Congratulations to everyone recently promoted, celebrating work anniversaries, and the rest of the award recipients.
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Career Day
Members of the American Jail Association will be in Dallas next year for their annual conference, April 27-30, 2014. The Dallas Sheriff’s Department will host this awesome event and it cannot be successful without YOU!! Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas. Please contact Aimee Jordan (Kramer) if you are interested in being considered for this opportunity. Help will be needed in the areas of; hospitality, photography, transportation, administration and more. This is a chance for jail professionals from all across the nation to see what a great group of officers we have. Please email aimee.jordan@dallascounty.org if you are interested. Provide your name and assignment as well as an email address, contact number (email will be the most frequent form of contact) and any specific area where you are interested in helping out. DSO Josie Reyes and DSO Michelle Hopkins from the Personnel Section recently visited Gateway Academy School for their Career Day.
Happy Retirement!
Ms. Andrea Allen, Communications Dispatch Supervisor retires. Happy trails!
After 31 years of service with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Kenny Baker retires. He most recently served as bailiff in the 203rd District Court.
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Announcements DSO is now on Nixle! TEXT your ZIP CODE to 888777 for text notifications on latest advisories, alerts, such as cases when the public’s assistance
DEATHS
is requested. 888777 May 1, 2013: Vender Rose, grandmother of Deputy Keith Rose, Warrant Execution Section; also the aunt of DSO Sandra Celestine, Central Intake, passed away. May 2, 2013: DTO S. Russell #6407, formerly from Kays Tower-2nd Watch passed away after a lengthy illness. May 3, 2013: Stacey Hixon, brother of DSO Eric Wall, Intake Section, passed away in Lawton, Oklahoma. May 6, 2013: Carl B. Solomon, father of Charlotte Guidry, West Tower, passed away. May 8, 2013: Harold Eugene Sneed, father of Deputy David Sneed, Clean Air Task Force, passed away. May 10, 2013: Jesse D. Irvin, mother of DSO A. Cole, West Tower2nd Watch passed away. May 11, 2013: Chaplain Paul Garcia’s maternal grandfather passed away at the age of 93. May 11, 2013: Mary Lou McDaniel Jackson, grandmother of DSO Lisa Crane, Court Desk-2nd Watch, passed away. May 16, 2013: Louise Williams, mother-in-law of DSO T. Williams, Kays Tower-2nd Watch, passed away. May 25 2013: Howard Gray, Jr., brother of Ruby Gray, Office of Administration; Sheila Rose, in the DMU/Bonds Section; Keith Gray, in Facilities; brother-in-law of Michelle Gray, DMU/Document Imaging Section; and the cousin of Veronica Grant, Vault/Release Section, passed away.
Shoppers’ Corner
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 Dallas County Sheriff’s Department 133 N. Riverfront Blvd. LB-31 Dallas, Texas 75207-4313
For submission of a newsletter item:
For the latest updates:
Carmen.Castro@dallascounty.org
www.dallas-sheriff.com
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