Monthly Report for July 2016

Dear Citizens,

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy Independence Day with friends and family and took a moment to be grateful and realize all the holiday stands for and why we celebrate it.

July has been a very traumatic month for law enforcement. For a while now, we have all witnessed and seen the random acts of violence that are being committed against law enforcement all across the country, but the incident in Dallas brought the realism home. Dart police officer Brent Thompson who began his law enforcement career here at the NCSO, was one of the victims in the ambush in Dallas. Within 48 hours of Brent’s funeral here in Corsicana, our own Deputy James Murray was tragically killed in an off duty motor vehicle accident near the county line on Hwy 287. We at the NCSO want to thank our community, in light of the Dallas tragedy, for attending the prayer vigil at the Corsicana Government Center as well as the Candlelight vigil at the Corsicana High School for Brent Thompson. We were touched by the many people who visited the NCSO and dropped off cards and letters at Deputy Murray’s vehicle which was on display as a memorial.

On behalf of myself and the men and women of the NCSO, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the many individuals, local businesses and pre-schools that brought food, held events, sent cards, gifts or just waved and spoke. By you just taking the time, letting us know and making us all feel loved, appreciated, supported and that you understand these trying times, is more encouraging and motivating than you can imagine. Not just during the weeks of the tragedies we endured, but always. We appreciate when you continue to say to all law enforcement, first responders and military personnel that we are in your thoughts and prayers and appreciate the sacrifices that are made daily. We thank you and pledge to the citizens of Navarro County that we will not be broken. We are a large family and we are loyal to our community and the citizens we serve. We will not waver, be pulled apart or let yet another tragic and senseless act change the way we do our jobs. We will remain strong and continue to protect and serve.

I would like to publicly praise the men and women of the NCSO Honor Guard. This group spends many hours dedicated to tedious training and are often utilized throughout the year at numerous events throughout the county. I specifically appreciate and was touched by not only your dedication and professionalism, but the manner in which you honored our fallen brother and former NCSO Deputy, Brent Thompson, and Deputy James Murray at their final farewell services. Your hard work, training and professionalism was definitely visible. So once again, on behalf of myself and the NCSO I want you to know that you make us very proud.

I attended the 138th Annual Sheriffs Association of Texas conference in Grapevine, Texas. This is an opportunity for Sheriffs from across the state to attend training on current issues that directly impact the operations of their agencies. It is especially invaluable with all the tragedies, matters and problems we are currently facing on a daily basis.

This past week approximately fifty of our NCSO officers attended the K-9 Encounters Class taught by the SPCA of North Texas. It was a very informative class and an important class for enforcement officers to attend. This class teaches alternatives or options to lethal force when involved in a K-9 encounter.

We have begun utilizing Southern Software for our new software system. Having had our current system for over 20 years, the company decided to no longer provide support for their system. Without company support, we along with several other counties, were forced to seek options for a new vendor. Since January 1, 2016, we have been without technical support and we have been extremely fortunate to not have the system crash.
This new Southern Software system will bring many new features to our operations. Some of these features are: We will now have mobile data computer systems in our patrol fleet, the ability to see where our patrol fleet is at all times, the public will now be able to log in and access jail booking information, mug shots, charges, bond information and much more. The system will streamline every aspect of our operation. We do please ask for the public to be patient as we continue the transition to this new system. You can rest assured, that you the citizens, will not see any delay or interruption in our patrol division’s response to calls.

This month our page reached over 8,000 likes. I would like to thank the citizens for your continued support. As I have said many times before, it is important to me and to the NCSO to keep the community informed and up to date as much as possible on what is taking place in our county. By liking our page and sharing informative posts such as asking for information on identifying suspects in thefts, burglaries or other crimes, YOU are supporting and assisting us in a positive way by making a difference and taking steps in improving the safety in the place in which you live, where you work, play and raise your families. Communication through social media is a powerful tool when utilized properly and positively. And you the citizens are an intricate part of that.

I would like to say "Thank You" to the Navarro County citizens for voting me 2016 "Best of the Best" County Law Enforcement Officer. It's not only an honor to win this award but to continue serving our citizens as well. Again, thank you for voting me Best of the Best for three years in a row now. I am humbled and certainly appreciate your continued support.

The NCSO assisted the Texas Rangers and Rice PD with a Homicide investigation on I-45 near Rice. The case has been cleared by arrest. 
Deputy Caleb Loftis was dispatched to a reported cattle theft on SE 1040 where the owner wanted to report two head of his cattle had been stolen. The owner advised the stolen cattle were branded and ear tagged. The same day the cattle were reported stolen, Deputy Loftis, along with assistance from C.I.D. Sergeant Robbie Jock, followed up on leads in this case and the stolen cattle were located at a location on NW 0100 Corsicana. The cattle were recovered and returned to the owner and an arrest for Felony Theft of Livestock was made.

Our officers helped assist Ennis PD, Ellis County Sheriff's Deputies, Texas DPS troopers, TDCJ Boyd and BETO Units with their tracking dogs in the manhunt that occurred in Ellis and Navarro Counties. Two persons were arrested near NW 0150 after allegedly being involved in a drive by shooting in Ennis and then firing shots at pursuing law enforcement before abandoning their vehicle near the Ellis-Navarro County line and fleeing on foot into Navarro county. Another job well done by all officers in this multi-jurisdictional operation.

Thankfully these dangerous suspects were arrested and no officers were injured. When our officers can go home to their families at the end of their shifts, it's been a good day.

The NCSO arrested a suspect who was involved in a crime spree in Ellis and Navarro County. The suspect had allegedly stolen a vehicle and been involved in multiple burglaries in Ellis County before moving on into Navarro County this afternoon. The suspect was involved in some suspicious activity in the NW sector of our county near Rice earlier in the day before moving down toward Angus in the SW sector. A stolen vehicle was recovered at a location in Angus where he forcibly entered a residence and then left on foot after being confronted by the homeowner. The suspect was later located walking on SW 0020 by Deputy Ryan Gantt and Sgt. Joey Jock where he was taken into custody without incident. Ennis PD Detective Jason York arrived at the location assisted with the investigation and the suspect was transported to the Navarro County Justice Center.

The N.C.S.O. Narcotics Unit seized a large outdoor marijuana grow on Hwy 85 near the Henderson County line. Approximately 3,500 plants ranging in height from 6 to 10 feet tall were seized at the location. The approximately weight of the plants at the time of seizure was 2,400 pounds. This was the largest growing operation that we have seized in the past few years but I assure you, we will remain diligent in seeking out these illegal marijuana growing operations in our county.

Deputies of the NCSO went to a residence in the 8800 block of West HWY 31 Corsicana to execute a search warrant as well as to serve an arrest warrant on a 79 year old male for possession of child pornography. The suspect was arrested without incident and a search was conducted by NCSO and ATF personnel. The suspect has now been charged with ten counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of possession of prohibited weapon. Several illegal firearms and assorted illegal ammunitions were seized during the execution of the search warrant. We want to thank agents of the Dallas Field Division of the ATF for their assistance at the scene.

The Sheriff's Office had 2,966 calls for service in July and our dispatch received 2,742 calls for assistance to 9-1-1. There were approximately 304 persons arrested and booked into the Navarro County Justice Center in July and the average daily jail population was 234 inmates. The Narcotics Unit arrested nine suspects, filed six criminal cases and served four outstanding arrest warrants. Twelve inmates were transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and eighteen other inmates were transferred to State Jail and SAFP units to serve their sentences.

This month four head of horses were estrayed and six horses and five calves were seized by animal seizure warrants and transported to the county farm in Angus.

We sold $4, 200.00 of surplus hay from our county farm.

I would like to congratulate the following officers on their hiring: Eric Wilson and Randy Nanny who became our newest Patrol Deputies and Debra Kelley was hired August 1st as our newest detention officer. We currently have one detention position open as well as one patrol vacancy. As in the past, applications will continue to be taken for any vacancy until the position is filled.

In light of all that has happened, touched our lives and effected us in someway here in Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas and across our great nation, the United States of America, I will close with what I believe to be a very fitting quote:

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke

As always, God bless and be safe.

Sheriff Elmer Tanner