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Smith County sheriff: Housing inmates outside of county necessary to fulfill jail commission rules
KLTV-TV
The Smith County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday reported during the regular meeting of the Commissioner's Court that it has become necessary to house nine county inmates outside of Smith County. Last week, the sheriff's office began housing 96 female inmates in the newly opened, 384-bed facility in downtown Tyler. In order to meet the detention officer-to-inmate ratio required by the Texas State Jail Commission of 1 to 48, the personnel managing those inmates had to be moved with the inmates.
Marion sheriff on Jade Helm: No reason to worry
Longview News-Journal
Federal military exercises that riled some Texas conservatives in recent weeks will include Marion County, where the sheriff is confident federal officials in Washington aren't planning something more sinister. "We went to great efforts to verify credentials and information as it was presented to us," Sheriff David McKnight said of himself and county commissioners who signed off on welcoming a small portion of Jade Helm 15 to their county.
McKnight said that portion of the military exercise will involve five or six soldiers taking a Jeep ride from one part of a private landowner's property to another, where they will be picked up by a helicopter.
Officer who told teen of parents' death shows up to his graduation
An Orange, Texas, teen was less than a week away from his high school graduation when his parents were killed by a suspected drunk driver in a motorcycle accident. Lt. Eric Ellison was given the difficult duty of breaking the news to Emily and Riley's son, Kazzie Portie, according to CNN. After tragedy intervened with his parents' plans, the bearer of bad news became one of support on Portie's big day.
On death row for 31 years, inmate executed
A death row inmate who has proclaimed his innocence for three decades was executed Wednesday night in Huntsville. Lester Bower, 67, became the oldest death row inmate executed in Texas, after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene in his case. After thanking his lawyers and family, he died from a lethal injection shortly after 6:30 p.m.
Bower was sent to death row 31 years ago after he was convicted in the 1983 fatal shootings of four men, including two law enforcement officers.
Domestic violence call leads to manhunt, arrest
San Angelo Standard-Times
An hourslong search for an armed San Angelo man ended with his arrest early Wednesday. About 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office was called to the 10000 block of Runion Road because of a domestic dispute. When the first deputy arrived at the residence, he saw a blue Jeep near the property's gate, which had been locked with a chain, according to a sheriff's news release.
He saw the suspect, identified as William McGary, holding a long stick in his hand. McGary began yelling at a woman as he walked toward the Jeep, which she was sitting in. Because he feared the man was "about to cause harm" to the woman, the deputy entered the property through a gap between the gates and walked toward McGary, who walked past the woman and entered the home.
Former sheriffs, including a SAT past president, help TAC Risk Management Pool member counties reduce their law enforcement operations liabilities and exposures. New territory map online.
Senate sends police body camera bill to governor
Legislation that would govern the use of body cameras worn by law enforcement officers in Texas is on its way to the governor after receiving final approval by the Senate. The measure, approved on a 24-7 vote, also would establish a matching grant program to help police departments acquire body cameras.
Texas Legislature doubles benefit for line-of-duty deaths
The Associated Press via KRIS-TV
The Texas Legislature has passed a bill to double the amount of money the state pays surviving spouses, children or parents of public employees killed in the line of duty. The measure was unanimously approved by the Senate after previously clearing the House.
Emotional intelligence: Rethinking police-community relations
By Mark Bond
The current perception from the public is that American law enforcement has a problem with community and race relations — especially in urban neighborhoods with high crime rates. Criminal violence is an acceptable norm in many of these communities, and the police often feel like an "eight-hour occupational army" in many violent neighborhoods. For the police officer who is working the streets and trying to make the neighborhoods safe, the personal stress has been heavy.
New focus on rape kit tests could put thousands behind bars
The Associated Press via ABC News
The evidence piled up for years, abandoned in police property rooms, warehouses and crime labs. Now, tens of thousands of sexual assault kits are giving up their secrets — and rapists who've long remained free may finally face justice.
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Damon Sayles, Senior Editor, 469.420.2662