Volume 12 Number 8 FALL ARRIVAL
SEPTEMBER 2012
Behind The BADGE DALLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
FROM THE SHERIFF Great things continue to take place at the Dallas Sheriff’s Department. This coming month, October 11, 2012, we prepare for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new medical facility after a positive Department of Justice visit in September, in which the collaborative efforts of the Dallas County Commissioners Court, Parkland Hospital and the Dallas Sheriff’s Department were recognized. And, let’s not forget, there was that 4 percent pay increase to recognize all the diligent efforts all our valued employees who help manage this large department. - Sheriff Lupe Valdez Inside this issue:
Honoring Deputy Nick Tresp
New: Veranda of Art at Lew Sterrett
Transportation Unit’s First Anniversary
Special Olympian Bryan Blanton
Corporate Challenge
Employee of the Month Award
Wanted: Shooters
Kids’ Literacy Venture
Honoring Badge #47
Pictured above: Gracelee Moran, great niece of Deputy Nikolas Tresp attends a ceremony honoring her uncle at the Historic Criminal Courts Building-Personnel Office located at 501 Main St.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department officially unveiled a badge display in memory of Deputy Nikolas Tresp during a ceremony on Sept. 19, 2012. Several of Announcements the deputy’s great nieces and nephews were in attendance, including Gracelee Moran, who discovered the badge among her mother’s belongings, pinned to a Executive Staff Evening note stating her uncle was kidnapped Sept. 3, 1933 by Harvey Bailey, a running Shifts: buddy of Bonnie and Clyde. Oct. 17th & 18th, 2012 Retired Chief Deputy Terry Baker reflected on the timeline of events of that kidnapping which made national news. Badge #47 will remain on display, along with photos highlighting that historic day; all collected by Investigator Kenneth Dean. Dallas.Sheriff.Dept @dallas_sheriff
Ms. Moran and her family expressed deep gratitude to Sheriff Lupe Valdez, Investigator Dean and the rest of the department for honoring their late uncle. Since the ceremony, Ms. Moran said she’s heard from friends she had lost touch with decades ago thanks to all of the media coverage.
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The Dallas Sheriff’s Department Veranda of Art
Pictured above: Inmate Programs Assistant Director Margarita Sanchez, Art Instructor Sandra Lara, Chief Jesse Flores, Chief Cheryl Wilson, Inmate Programs Director Yolanda Lara, Art Instructor Michelle Love, DSO Rosalind Reeves with some of the art pieces on display at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center entrance.
You may have noticed a brighter and more colorful appearance when you enter the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. In recent weeks, the Inmate Programs Division has unveiled the Dallas Sheriff’s Department Veranda of Art. The art work on display was created by detainees from the South Tower and West Tower’s mental health population. The art courses are offered through El Centro College instructors Sandra Lara and Michelle Love. Every semester, the top art work will be displayed in the veranda of art for the public to enjoy. For the now, the public can enjoy the six abstract pieces currently on display that range from patriotic themes, such as an American flag and what appears to be the Statue of Liberty’s head; to images of huge ripe watermelons, and a figure of a walking house.
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The Dallas Sheriff’s Department Transportation Unit celebrated its one year anniversary on Sept. 7, 2012. The unit, which was launched in May 2011 under the command of Captain Shelia Carter-Bass, manages all movement of inmates. The team is responsible for the handling of external inmate transportation in instances such as for medical and emergency care at Parkland Hospital, relocation to state hospitals, inter-city jail commutes, as well as fugitive and Texas Department of Corrections transfers. Team members work around the clock, and adjust to their daily unpredictable duties while ensuring proper care of all inmates. Well done and thank you for your service!
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From Special Olympian to Honorary Deputy: Bryan Blanton
Pictured above left: Special Olympian Bryan Blanton arrives at the sheriff’s executive offices to be sworn in as honorary junior deputy. Above right: He meets the gold medalist tennis team Patrick Cryer and Helen Wilhelm. Bottom left: Bryan arrives in style in one of the latest SUV marked vehicles. Bottom right: Thanks to Judge Robert Burns III for allowing Bryan time with his powerful gavel. It was a fun-filled Friday for Bryan Blanton, the Dallas Sheriff’s Department Special Olympian. September 21st started off with Deputy P. Limones picking up Bryan and his father James Blanton at their Rowlett residence in a marked squad vehicle. Upon arriving at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, the Blantons were greeted by Sheriff Lupe Valdez and her staff who were ready for Bryan’s swearing in ceremony as honorary junior deputy. The Special Olympian received a framed certificate, along with a few extra decal sheriff’s deputy badges of his own and many cheers. During his visit, Bryan also had a chance to meet the gold medalist basketball team captain, NeKeshia Henderson, as well as the gold medalist tennis duo Patrick Cryer and Helen Wilhelm. Bryan got a tour of Judge Robert Burns’ court room and up close with the judge’s gavel. The day wrapped up with a delicious pizza lunch where Bryan had a chance to meet some of the other athletes that continue to compete in the Richardson Corporate Challenge. The competitions continue through October 19, day of the closing ceremony. The remaining competing sports include softball, dominoes, darts and billiards competitions, as well as bowling, bass fishing and women’s 3-on-3 basketball. The invitation is open to everyone to go out and cheer on all athletes.
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Corporate Challenge September Highlights
Sept. 1st: The Great Bike Ride– In women’s horseshoes competition Shannon McElearney and Myriam Medrano took the silver medal! Our men's team, Jason Johnson and Eumundo Rojano, took bronze.
Kickball action was followed by soccer showdowns during the second week of Sept. The soccer team was on a two game winning streak before they fell short to the Raytheon Team.
Golfing was coached by Karen Coston, the bicycle team placed 5th out of 50 teams, and Rachael Mulcahy won a gold medal for her age/gender. The 5k run took place Sept. 16th. #TeamDCSD picked up a bronze medal in miniature golf thanks to Chief Gary Lindsey and partner, Deputy James Bledsoe. Softball play has been extended into Oct. because of the rain. Game On!
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Employee of the Month Senior Sergeant Nathan Wilson Dallas County’s Employee of the Month August 2012
Senior Sergeant Nathan Wilson joined the Sheriff’s Academy in 1995, and Class #100 was his first. On May 24, 2012, Class # 127 graduated. On August 19, 2012, Class #128 began. There have been over 500 officers including several Reserve Classes that have joined the law enforcement ranks at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department as well as law enforcement agencies from area municipalities. Throughout his tenure at the Dallas Sheriff’s Academy, he has received numerous commendations and letters of appreciation. He was most recently acknowledged by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education for his membership on the Basic Peace Officer Curriculum Development Committee. Sgt. Wilson began his career on October, 17, 1983.
Wanted: Shooting Team Recruits For Competition The 2012 North Texas Crime Commission Clay Shoot will take place Fri. Oct. 26, 2012 and the Dallas Sheriff’s Department is recruiting shooters to take part in the competition. If you would like to become part of the department’s sponsored team contact Ms. Semone Lilly at 214.653.2902. Registration kicks off at 7:30 a.m. at The Elm Fork Shooting Sports Facility located at 10751 Luna Rd. in Dallas.
Teams will consist of four shooters. The event will wrap up with a lunch and an awards ceremony. Prizes will be awarded to the top three individual shooters, as well as the members of the top three teams. The North Dallas Crime Commission was created in 1950 to provide support for law enforcement in the downtown area. Now, six decades later, the NTCC has expanded to help fight crime across all of North Texas. The NTCC has remained true to its mission, but overall objectives now include crime prevention, crime control programs and homeland security. The crime commission also manages the Crime Stoppers program in Dallas and Collin Counties. You can log on to www.ntcrimecomm.org to learn more.
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Dallas Can Do Better/ KERA Kidquest Literacy Venture “Dallas Can Do Better” is one of the Dallas Sheriff’s Department community stakeholders which makes monthly visits to the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. The group sets up a table of books to distribute to children visiting a loved one in jail. Children have an opportunity to select an age-appropriate book in either English or Spanish to take home. Parents receive information on the importance of literacy. The non-profit organization’s mission is to promote equal opportunity among all the citizens of Dallas by correcting and mitigating social injustice. The project is made possible through book donations made by Half Price Bookstores. In addition, this month, children were provided with an extra treat. They received a Kidquest gift bag, charitably donated by KERA. An average of 400 books are given away each month. To date, over 3,000 books have found their way into the hands and hearts of children.
2012 DFW AACC Banquet Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Chief Gary Lindsey attended the 12th Annual DFW Asian-American Citizens Council Banquet. The event was held on Sept. 15, 2012 at the Westin Hotel @ Park Central. DFW AACC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote and assist Asian-American involvement in local social, political and civic activities that increase community awareness, improve representation and enhance the quality of life. 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
GET WELL WISHES Sept. 9, 2012: DSO Roshanda Brown, 2nd Watch/Kays Tower, was readmitted into Arlington Memorial Hospital. Please keep Officer Brown and her family in your thoughts and prayers. DEATHS Sept. 3, 2012: Ronald Waisner, father-in-law of S.Sgt. Michael Monnig, 3rd Watch/Release Section, passed away from surgery complications. Sept. 5, 2012: Bobbie Nunn, aunt of DSO Jason Nunn, 2nd Watch/ Court Desk passed away after a lengthy illness. Sept. 15, 2012: Douglas Sullivan, brother of DSO Sullivan, of the Court Desk passed away.
48’ X 68’ throw to keep you warm, $35.00 each
Sept. 17, 2012: William Trimble III, nephew of Senior Secretary Jeanette Brown, Sheriff’s Administration Office, passed away. Sept. 19, 2012: Doris Kennard, wife of Deputy Johnny Kennard, Court Services/George Allen, passed away. Oliver Oatman, brother of DSO Marcus Oatman, West Tower/2nd Watch; brother-in-law of DSO Sherrie Oatman, North Tower/2nd Watch; uncle of Shanekqua Oatman, Central Intake, passed away. Sept. 22, 2012: James Haley, father of DSO Darin Haley, 2nd Watch/ Release Section, passed away.
Sheriff’s one inch badge lapel pins $3.50 each or get 3 for $10 Contact: Marian Ogletree (214) 653-3462
Our thoughts and prayers are with each family member during this difficult time.
Happy Birthday Sgt. Dallas Tipton
On September 21, 2012, Detention Support Services (Laundry and Cook Chill) held a lunch to celebrate DSS Dallas Tipton’s birthday. 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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