2017
A special supplement of
Alone we can do so little, Together we can do so much. Thank you to all the Public Servants of Grimes County.
Local People... Local Decisions...
9109 Hwy 90 South • Navasota, TX 77868 (936) 825-3662 • csbtx.com 2
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Behind the glass BY NICOLE SHUPE Staff writer “911…what is your emergency?”
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ith those few words entire worlds can change. Making the call to 911 is often the most frightening or devastating moment of someone’s life and it is the role of the dispatcher to be a calming and helpful presence. Shielded behind mirrored glass for 12-hour shifts, dispatchers are less the “face of public service” and are more the “voice of public service.” “Often people don’t like the glass and find it very disconcerting and we try to be as pleasant as possible when speaking with them,” said Communications Supervisor
Alexis Bell with the Navasota Police Department. “The glass is there not to make people feel uncomfortable but to protect the information that we are accessing and utilizing on a day to day basis.” As a central hub for the city and county emergency services, the dispatchers at the Navasota Police Department and Grimes County Sheriff’s Office receive every phone call or inquiry. In 2016, Bell and her team of four dispatchers received 31,369 non-emergency phone calls and 9,273 calls for 911. For the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office, Supervisor Tammy Castro and her team of six received 14,381 calls for 911. With often only one or two dispatchers on duty at a time, depending on the department, the communications officers must be highly skilled multi-taskers throughout their shifts. “They are answering 911, they are answering the deputies on the radio, they are answering that phone
Navasota PD Communications
call,” said Castro. “The larger agencies have a lot of dispatchers and they will ask me ‘are you the call taker?’ And I have to tell them, I am the everything, my dispatchers are the everything, there isn’t just one person for each system.” For the departments, the communications room houses multiple computer systems that interface with everything from Interpol to a protective orders database. As a call comes into the department, the dispatchers must find location, descriptions, assess need, run plates and page the appropriate first responders at all times of the day and night all while making sure the caller remains calm and on the line. “What people don’t get sometimes is that dispatch is on 24 hours a day for 365 days a year,” said Navasota SEE GLASS PAGE 6
GCSO Communications
Submitted photo by Grimes County Sheriff’s Office
Submitted photo by the city of Navasota
From left: Communications Operator ReAna Williams, Communications Supervisor Alexis Bell, Communications Operator Christina Feldhans and Communications Operator Nadia Howard.
Back row, from left: Cpt. Ryan Rutledge, Supervisor Tammy Castro, Blane Hechler, Karlie Fernandez and Chief Deputy Todd Greene. Front row, from left: Kristen Gallo, Rebecca Silliman and Marselena Barrientos. Not pictured: Kaylee Dover.
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Navasota Police Department Criminal Investigations Division
Submitted photo by the city of Navasota
From left: Investigator Adam Dodson, Investigator Kristi Tucker and Investigator Amanda Klawinsky.
Animal Control
Submitted photo by the city of Navasota
From left: Animal Control Officer Lori Toliver, Chief of Police Justin Leeth and parttime ACO Assistant Whitney Gremmillion.
Administration
Submitted photo by the city of Navasota
From left: Executive Assistant Marla Gurka, Chief of Police Justin Leeth, Records Clerk Courtney Vance and Records Clerk Geralyn Backhus.
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Navasota Police Department Patrol Division
Back row, from left: Corporal Anthony Celano, Officer Richard Rulong, Officer Jacob McRae, Officer Christopher Watson, School Resource Officer Sgt. David Ellison, Officer John Shoemaker and Chief of Police Justin Leeth. Front row, from left: Officer Ernest DeLosSantos, Officer Jacob Tielke, Officer Charlotte Dearman, Corporal Dustin Failla , Officer Corey Williams, and School Resource Officer Lydia Richard. Submitted photo by the city of Navasota
It is an honor to work side-by-side with the emergency services personnel of Grimes County! We appreciate everything you do to serve our neighbors!
Frank’s
TOWING &
REPAIR
303 Teague St. S • Navasota, Texas
936-825-7692 www.frankstowingandrepair.net
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC SERVANTS OF GRIMES COUNTY!
WC TRACTOR 10044 State Hwy 6 Navasota, TX 77868
936-825-7577
WCTRACTOR.COM SALUTING OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS
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From Page 3 Police Chief Justin Leeth. “So, just as the officers are out there and you see them on Thanksgiving and Christmas and everything else, we still have the communications officer stuck here in communications behind that mirrored glass window working right along with us.” According to Castro and Bell, “working along with” is the perfect description for what dispatchers are called to do on a daily basis. While not all calls may be life threatening, some calls can be very stressful and the dispatch officer stays on the line until contact is made between the caller and the necessary first responders on scene. “The worst calls are the ones involving domestic abuse or children in medical situations,” said Castro. “To stay on the line and listen as an abusive partner finds the victim and continues the assault through the call, or you have to listen to a mother describe that their child is turning blue from not breathing.” In such cases, while the dispatcher is not physically witnessing the scene they are still psychologically there and are impacted by everything that occurs on a call. According to Castro and Bell, the direct involvement of
It helps to have officers who know that a call may have impacted you, for them to come back to the department and say don’t worry they life-flighted the child to the hospital they are going to be ok, or to just ask if we are ok."
dispatch ends when the first responders make contact, then it is on to the next incoming call, which can be the most “nerve-wracking” part of the job – not being able to see the final outcome. For Bell and her team, she says that the department is very close and they know that they can always talk to someone to vent or relieve tension. “It helps to have officers who know that a call may have impacted you, for them to come back to the department and say don’t worry they life-flighted the child to the hospital they are going to be ok, or to just
ask if we are ok,” said Castro. In recent years, the departments have begun to see an increase in calls to both the non-emergency and emergency lines. According to Bell, who has been with the department since 2008, the call numbers steadily increase each year. “We look at our call reports and there are a couple hundred additional every year, I don’t know if that is due to population,” said Bell. “I know that we are a lot more proactive, the police department is more of a presence in regards to getting out and make contacts with citizens.” Leeth attributes the countywide increase to both population growth and the comforting presence exuded by the Grimes County communications divisions. “I think some of the increase in calls is a compliment to the dispatchers, part of the Navasota Police Department’s vision and mission statement is to gain the trust and support of the community,” said Leeth. “The dispatchers are the voice on the phone, the first contact that you are going to get when you are getting help and I think that it boils down to the Navasota spirit, where you really want to look our for your neighbors, that peace and comfort of knowing that you are going to get some assistance when you call here.”
THANK YOU For putting your life on the line for us.
Bert Miller Mayor, Navasota
Thank You Public Servants! Your Service Is Appreciated!
Turner, Pierce & Fultz, Inc. 604 W. Washington Ave., Navasota Phone 936-825-6441 • www.tpfinc.com 6
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Your hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated, Public Servants! 726 W. Washington • Navasota • TX 77868 • 936-825-3214
Anderson Volunteer Fire Department
EVERYDAY HEROES
GRIMES COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DONALD G. SOWELL, SHERIFF 382 FM 149 W. ANDERSON, TX (936) 873-2151
Saluting the Public Servants of Grimes County
Thank You! TOWN OF ANDERSON GAIL SOWELL, MAYOR P.O. BOX 592 ANDERSON, TX 9368733102
Nobles Funeral Chapel “Where Service Comes First” 402 E. Blackshear • Navasota
(936) 825-7776
www.noblesfuneral.com
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Bedias Volunteer Fire Department
Back row, from left: Phiilip Upchurch, Bobby Isbell, Richard Taylor, Jim Lindsay, Eric Wilson, Anthony Stanley and Andrew Prince. Front row, from left: Billy Boyd, Karen Upchurch, Tyler Stanley, Trent Upchurch, Dennis Wiley, Kandace Upchurch, Paul Prater, Chief Kenny Tamplin and Keith Simon.
Examiner photo by Tony Farkas
In appreciation for your tireless dedication in serving the residents of Grimes County
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT PROTECT US.
Barbara Walker
220 E. Washington Ave. Navasota 936-825-6789 www.millerinsurancetexas.com Find Us On Facebook!
BARBARA HENLEY WALKER
GRIMES COUNTY COMMISSIONER PCT. 3
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First Responder’s Day rematch May 20 Special to The Examiner As part of the multitude of activities Saturday, May 20, the second annual First Responder’s Day will feature a rematch between the Grimes County law enforcement officers and the local fire departments and EMS. Last year’s tug-of-war resulted in the thin blue line taking home the “trophy,” but the firefighters and EMS are ready for an upset. First Responders Day will showcase all of the law enforcement, fire and EMS that protect Grimes County. The event will have the various agencies displaying the equipment they utilize to keep our area citizens safe and secure. Some of this equipment includes helicopters, a Texas Rangers’ armored personnel carrier, patrol cars and fire apparatuses. There will be live demonstrations including an EOD Robot demonstration, a live fire
exercise and more. Food vendors will be on site at the event. First Responders Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and concludes with the friendly game of tug-of-war between the law enforcement agencies and the fire departments and EMS. For information, visit www.navasotatx. gov or call the Navasota Police Department at (936) 825-6124.
THANK YOU for all you do! Thank You to all Grimes County Public Servants, for being by our side and keeping the community safe!
FREE REPLACEMENT ESTIMATES!
329 E. Washington Avenue • Navasota
(936)825-6565 www.wegibson.com 10
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TACLA 34092E
104 S. 10th Street Navasota, TX 77868 (936) 825-2085 www.gessnerac.com
Grimes County Game Warden
Submitted photo by Texas Parks and Wildlife
Game Warden Forrest Schmidt, of College Station District 5, patrols Grimes County. The duties of a Texas game warden include the enforcement of all state laws, but primarily hunting, fishing and water safety regulations. Wardens are fully commissioned peace officers, who respond to emergencies as necessary, assist other law enforcement agencies and work to educate the public about conservation issues.
Proudly supporting the Public Servants off Grimes County! y
Grimes County is a better place because of the dedication, devotion and commitment of our public servants.
THANK YOU
FOR ALL YOU DO! Hardwood Laminate Tile
Carpet Backsplash Counter Tops
Tub Surround
Showers
400 N. LaSalle
936-825-0231 Independently & Locally Owned
Thanking the hard working men and women who serve Grimes County.
Voted Best Tax Service in Grimes County
Debra M. White-Finke Tax & Business Services Specialist
We’ll handle it from here. TM
Providing Quality Waste Disposal Services to Navasota and surrounding Communities Proudly supporting Grimes County! 1709 Highway 36 North • Brenham, TX 77833
979-277-1160
Debra M. White-Finke Financial Services in association with
811 N. LaSalle Navasota, TX 77868 Tel: 936.825.6395 Fax: 936.825.7242 Cell: 936.443.6450 debra.white-finke@hrblock.com
www.republicservices.com
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Navasota Fire Department Back row, from left: Troy Miles, Aden Keller, Captain Ethan Tyler, David Kearney, Lieutenant George Korpita, Wayne Lawless, Robert Herrera and Cody Tweedy. Middle row, from left: Lieutenant Robert Ausmus, Josh Kettler, Chance Theiss, Charles Wellmann, James Simon, Captain David Cooper, Donald Moore, Captain Acel Nichols and Matthew Miller. Front row, from left: Asst. Chief Mitchell Kroll, Chief Jason Katkoski and Asst. Chief John Flores. Not pictured: Michael Borne, Charles Christian, Lieutenant John Hicks, Devin Kern, Stephen Miller, Eric Pierce, Steven Rosario and Neal Schuleman. Submitted photo by Pam Johnson
Your dedication for our community is greatly appreciated!
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ANDERSON FULL SERVICE BANK
Serving the financial needs of our community since 1904 1071 Hwy 90 S Anderson
9501 State Hwy 6 Navasota
936-873-2511 | www.fnbanderson.com
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Thank a Public Servant everyday. Your life may be in their hands! ®
9249 Hwy 90 S. Navasota, Texas 936-825-2799
Plantersville Volunteer Fire Department
Examiner photo by Nicole Shupe
From left: David Waters, Cassandra Malone, Lt. Tim Lewis, Dan Marlowe, Chief Michael Briggs, Asst Chief Shaun Holmes and Tom Godfrey. Not pictured: Capt. Ronnie Briggs, Lt. Richard Goddard and PIO Annie Chumley.
We at NOV GrantPrideco support the public servants of Grimes County.
9475 FM 1227 • Navasota
936-825-7070 www.nov.com
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Richards Volunteer Fire Department Back row, from left: Brett Holtey, Mike Libby, Will Nichols and George Massey. Middle row, from left: Cheyenne Libby, Joan Teer, Margaret Bailey, Tabitha Lolley and Rebecca Holtey. Front row, from left: Pete Jiacona, Wyatt Smith, Chief Cort Norwood and Neil Boss. Not pictured: Austin Swonke.
Examiner photo by Nicole Shupe
GRACIAS! Thank you for keeping us safe!
936-870-3040 9416 HWY 6 Loop • Navasota www.lacasitamexfood.com Call us for your catering needs!
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Monday - Thursday 8 am to 9 pm • Friday & Saturday 8 am - 10 pm Sunday 8 am - 9 pm
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Shiro Volunteer Fire Department Top of engine: Connor Eaves. Back row: Scott Snow, Paul Prater, James Worthington, Mary McAlily, Greg Hoggett, Dave Levoy and Les Watson. Front row: Shawn Schneider and Dan Sharron. Not pictured: Lucas Mosley, James Brewer, Hayden Williams and Jason Haris.
Examiner photo by Nicole Shupe
Thank you to all the Public Servants of Grimes County!
YOUR HARD WORK & DEDICATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!
1614 E. Washington • Navasota, TX • 936-825-7551 • www.sterlingautogroup.net l t SALUTING OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS
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Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department
From left: Melanie Bailey, Dorothy Holtcamp, Nick Adamo, Sara Adamo, Kelsey Vickers, Mike Kurtin, Roger Lieder, Georgia Molitor, Randy Siebe, Gail Schroeder, Tom Linnenkugel, Charles Falco, Keith Gilbert, Freeman Vickers, Christopher Vickers, Freddy Williams, Susie Vickers, John Sassie, J.R. Woolley, G.W. Noel, Charlie Waters, Ryan Serres, Carol Serres and Mike Serres. Not pictured: Ken and Bonnie Cox, Billy and Linda Robbins, Will Schroeder and Jaki Lee
Examiner photo by Nicole Shupe
GREAT COFFEE! GREAT MUSIC!
u o Y ank
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PUBLIC SERVAN SERVANTS
Located in historic downtown Navasota
for all that you do!
Pediatrics Prenatal Adults
PHYSICALS • WELL VISITS • ACUTE AND CHRONIC CARE FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES
Board Certified Medical Professionals
(936) 825-0000
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
We accept Medicaid, CHIP, CHIP Perinatal, Women’s Health Program (WHP), Group and Private Insurance, Medicare, and Sliding Fee Scale Federally Funded
1905 DOVE CROSSING, SUITE C, NAVASOTA WWW.BVCAA.ORG
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Coffees • Teas • Smoothies • Protein Shakes Sandwiches • Salads • Flatbreads • Sweets 129 E Washington Avenue • Navasota 936-727-5613 • www.facebook.com/crccnavasotatx
Todd Mission Police Department
From left: Chief Johnny Martinez, Officer Frank Vacante Jr., Officer William Cawthon. Not pictured: Officer Jeff Chumley
u PUBLIC o Y k n Tha SERVANTS
Submitted photos by the city of Todd Mission
Thank you to all the Public Servants of Grimes County for your hard work and dedication!
of Grimes County
FOR YOUR DEDICATION!
10908 CR 419 • Navasota (936) 825-7531
SERRES & SON Plumbing Services, Inc.
www.ellwoodtexasforgenavasota.com
Thank you, Public Servants, for your hard work and dedication!
(936) 825-6805 www.serresplumbing.com
518 E. Washington • Navasota 936-825-8267
BEST STARCH IN TOWN
MPL#17862
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CHI St. Joseph Health EMS
Submitted photos by CHI St. Joseph
Left: EMT-B Jacob Fuller and EMT-P Jolene Long take time to review emergency procedures with a local daycare. Middle: Long and EMT-P Kyle Shimerka demonstrate CPR during Navasota’s 150th Birthday celebration. Right: EMT-B Chase Jones and EMT-P Joe Hicks stand with one of three county ambulances.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO
115 Railroad St. | P.O. Box 751 Navasota, TX 77868 936-825-6484 | www.navasotaexaminer.com 18
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Grimes County First Responders (Volunteer)
Submitted photo by Gail Black
From left: Matt Silcox, Joan Teer, Cristie Alexander, Gail Black, Rhonda Ritchey, George Black and Paul Prater. Not pictured: Lee Arnold.
Department of Public Safety
Constables
Submitted photos by Grimes County
TOP LEFT: Precinct 1 - Dale Schaper TOP RIGHT: Precinct 2 - Blake Jarvis BOTTOM LEFT: Precinct 3 - Wes Male
Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Thank you Public Servants for keeping us safe!
Proven & Trusted Since 1959 Examiner photos
TOP LEFT: Sergeant Alease Wilson, TOP RIGHT: Corporal III John Dominguez, MIDDLE LEFT: Trooper III Kenneth Balzekas, MIDDLE RIGHT: Trooper I Dylan Duke, BOTTOM LEFT: Trooper I Russell Gallo, BOTTOM RIGHT: Trooper I Cesar Rodriguez
936.825.6581
11765 H W Y 6 S O U T H | N A V A S O T A WWW.TRINITYHEADS.COM
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Grimes County Sheriff’s Office Administration Back row, from left: Cpt. Ryan Rutledge, Lt. David Cook and Chief Deputy Todd Greene. Front row, from left: Administrative Assistant Lisa Bates and Sex Offender Registration/Evidence Technician Angelica Siracusa.
Submitted photo by Grimes County Sheriff’s Office
Jail Division Back row, from left: Cpt. Ryan Rutledge, Overton Day, Travis Hughey, Michael Briggs, Cliff Molitor, Lt. Daniel Caswell, Michael Leggett, Ozell Covington, Michael Lys, Kevin Harris, Sgt. Jim Adkins, Andrew Duncan and Chief Deputy Todd Greene. Front row, from left: Sgt. William Pharris, Caleb Alafa, Chelsea Bailey, Rosalinda Guerrero, Librarian Melissa Ferguson, Kitchen Supervisor Carolyn Lucherk, Zackary Pavlock and Diversion Crew Supervisor Glen Love. Not pictured: Kamy Kimball, Kaityln Allen and Natasha Williams. Submitted photo by Grimes County Sheriff’s Office
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Grimes County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division
From left: Cpt. Ryan Rutledge, John Jones, Jimmy Armatys, James Ellis, Auto Task Force Michael Fiaschetti, Kindale Pittman, Lt. Daniel Wagnon and Chief Deputy Todd Greene.
Submitted photo by Grimes County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Division
Submitted photo by Grimes County Sheriff’s Office
The Grimes County Sheriff’s Office patrol division includes Cpt. Ryan Rutledge, Deputy Van Snook, Deputy Kevin Harris, Deputy Michael Jason, Deputy Preston Goode, Deputy Annie Chumley, Chief Deputy Todd Greene, Deputy Melinda Chavez, Deputy Amber Lossow, Deupty Steven Siracusa, Deputy Michael Bewley, Deputy Blake Baldobino, Deputy Steven Lowery, Deputy Matthew Ortega, Deputy Neal Schuleman, William Sorsby, Lawrence Pivonka, Todd Moon, Martha Smith, Andrew Fruede and Kaityln Allen.
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Texas Department of Criminal Justice — O.L. Luther Unit
Fallen Officers Memorial Service
Examiner photos by Nicole Shupe
TDCJ officers and local law enforcement gathered Thursday morning for the 18th annual fallen officers memorial service at the O.L. Luther Unit in Grimes County. A solemn occasion punctuated by the “missing officer
table” and the riderless horse, the memorial remembered fallen officers who are gone, but not forgotten. The riderless horse with the symbolic backward facing boots has become a symbol of the “fallen leader” who is
looking back on his comrades for the final time. In each branch of public service, those who remain take time to remember those who have given their lives in protecting others.
Thank You First Responders
No words seem adequate to express our admiration and gratitude for the brave men and women who run towards danger to selflessly save others. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Anonymous
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“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.
THANK YOU
9965 Hwy 6 Loop • Navasota, TX 77868
936-825-2225
www.TeamofNavasota.com SALUTING OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS
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