Behind the Badge: Oct. & Nov. 2014 Highlights

Volume 14 Number 07

Oct/Nov 2014 HIGHLIGHTS

Behind The BADGE DALLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT FROM THE SHERIFF Another holiday season is upon us. In this issue we celebrate several accolades throughout the department. Our focus on ensuring we have a solid and positive relationship with the community remains a top commitment. Whether it be at an National Night Out event, a local school Career Day or at State Fair of Texas children’s event, it’s always a great time to experience.

Thank you for doing your part when it comes to representing this department in front of the citizens of Dallas County. It does not go unnoticed. Happy holiday season!

—Sheriff Lupe Valdez



Kids & Cops



Employee of the Month Honors



DSO Award



Fall 2014 Interns



Digital Government Award



Latina Living Legend Award



Right to Photograph & Record Program



Retirements



Announcements

In the Community Pictured: Some of the many members of the Kids and Cops program during the 2014 State Fair trading card signing event.

Stay Informed:

Dallas.Sheriff.Dept

@dallas_sheriff www.dallas-sheriff.com

The latest Kids & Cops program participants have stayed busy this fall. In October, several of the latest trading card featured officers participated in this year’s Kids and Cops event at the State Fair of Texas. There were 17 new trading cards unveiled this year, with 23 individuals featured from across all of the department.

Kids and Cops was established by Dallas County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Captain Charlie Tyner in 1994. It is funded by donations from local businesses, as well as private individuals. This year’s sponsors are Dallas Children’s Charities, the Kroger Company, and Club Corp.

Volume 14 Number 07

Page 2

Kids & Cops in the Community

exas T f o ir e Fa Stat

Volume 14 Number 07

Page 3

Dallas County Employee of the Month Honors October 2014 – Deputy Laura Hines & Deputy Porfirio Limones Deputy Laura Hines and Deputy Porfirio Limones handle administrative duties for the Dallas County Sherriff’s Department-Detentions Bureau. The duo serves as liaison for the department with the Attorney General’s Office, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the Dallas County Commissioners Court, Parkland Hospital, as well as state public officials. The team handles a long list of duties with all of these entities and also executes special projects as issued by the detentions commanders.

Deputy Hines has served in this capacity for over four years and been recognized for her hard work by the Dallas Police Department’s captain assigned to the Dallas County jail. She is patient and understanding when handling any complaints from the public.

Deputy Limones is an asset when it comes to handling matters with the Spanish speaking community. He serves as interpreter when need be. He has also served in this capacity for over four years and been recognized for his hard work by the Dallas Police Department’s captain assigned to the Dallas County jail.

Detention Instructor of the Year Award Recipient

Detention Service Officer Laressa Hall, from the West Tower was awarded the 2014 Detention Instructor of the Year Award for Crisis Intervention Training. DSO Hall, along with other detentions’ staff have trained several other agencies in CIT training. The event took place at Lovers Lane Methodist Church.

Pictured: Chief Deputy Blaise Mikulewicz, DSO Laressa Hall and Lana Presley during the awards reception on October 23, 2014.

Page 4

Volume 14 Number 07

Fall High School Interns Townview High School students interning this fall:



Juan Ulloa (PIO)



Joshua Jackson (Communications)



Maria Hernandez (Training Academy)



Jocelyn Martine (Administration)

Sunset High School students interning this fall:



Cesar Valdez (Auto Task Force)



Lourdes Gonzalez (Auto Task Force)



Griselda Garcia (Court Services)



Marissa Hernandez (Court Services)



Thalia Ramirez (HR Personnel)



Saira Robledo (Fugitive)



Jessica Arredondo (Fugitive)

Digital Government Award Congratulations to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department! The department was awarded winner in the Best Mobile or Wireless Project category by the Center for Digital Government. The IT in-car system project was a collaborative effort between the department and the Office of Informational Technology.

The project targeted the implementation of an advanced in-car wireless enabled computing network to serve as the platform for a number of mission critical applications, including the in-car video and multi-media evidence collection system. As a result of this project, the deputies are now able to perform their jobs more efficiently.

The number of labor hours associated with the business process for managing digital multimedia evidence has drastically reduced through the automation. The process of delivering digital evidence to the District Attorney’s Office has also improved due to this development.

The recognition was officially presented at Dallas County Commissioners Court in early November. The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory body on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. The Center provides resources to help the public and private sector effectively incorporate new technologies.

Volume 14 Number 07

Page 5

Latina Living Legend Award Recipient Hispanic 100, a premier Dallas-Fort Worth network for Hispanic Women, recently honored Sheriff Lupe Valdez as the 2014 Latina Living Legend Honoree.

This prestigious annual event recognizes the lifetime commitment of a Dallas-Fort Worth area Latina who has distinguished herself through her profession, active community and civic participation, volunteerism, and/or philanthropic endeavors directly benefitting the community-at-large. Past honorees include some of North Texas’ exemplary leaders such the Honorable Anita N. Martinez, Dolores Gomez Barzune, Dr. Gloria Contreras, Gloria Campos, Adelfa B. Callejo, Clara Hinojosa and most recently Dr. Catalina Garcia.

Sheriff Valdez’s many accomplishments include becoming the highest ranking law enforcement officer in the County of Dallas, and serving as the first Latina sheriff in the nation. Her career in law enforcement spans over three decades. The sheriff’s commitment to public service continues as a servant leader to the citizens of Dallas County.

Addressing the First and Fourth Amendment Rights

This fall, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department partnered with the Dallas Police Department to host a law enforcement course focused on the citizens’ rights to photograph and record in public. The event addressed First and Fourth Amendment rights, search and seizure, exigent circumstances, federal civil rights lawsuits against police agencies, as well as, an analysis and update on the most recent cases and court rulings dealing with these issues.

Mickey H. Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association, discussed the right of the press and the public to photograph and record, as well as, provided practical advice regarding the best ways to handle these situations.

The benefit for law enforcement is to avoid costly lawsuits that can cost municipalities money they can ill afford to pay. Over 100 law enforcement officers attended the event hosted at the Bill J. Priest El Centro College campus.

Volume 14 Number 07

Page 6

Captain Mark Howard Retires

Congratulations to Captain Mark A. Howard on his recent retirement after serving the department in several capacities during his 30 years of service. The department gathered to celebrate the captain’s career for a formal celebration in October. Among the various keepsakes presented to him, was a replica of the Fallen Deputies Memorial which he was so instrumental in making a reality for the department. He is currently still leading this year’s Bryant Joseph Christmas in the Community event which will take place on Dec. 20th, 2014.

Thank you for your service!

Volume 14 Number 07

Page 7

Announcements Captured moments around the department:

BIRTHS October 21, 2014: DSO Nancy Gonzales-North Tower welcomed a boy. Santiago Rico Hernandez weighed 6 lbs.

13 oz. Congratulations!

DEATHS October 15, 2014: Murphy L. Maxie Jr., brother of Civilian Vault Supervisor-2nd Watch Gertrude Sommers passed away.

October 19, 2014: Former DSO Aaron Hamb passed away. He was the father of Richard Hamb, Court Services.

October 31, 2014: Bobby Glen Wilson, son of former Deputy Ruby Wilson passed away.

November 9, 2014: Garrett Nious, father of DSO Patty Sullivan, Kays Tower-2nd Watch, passed away.

Kids & Cops officers DTO Lisa Taylor, DTO Charlotte Dorhan, DSO Anne Robinson and PIO Carmen Castro had a chance to attend Career Day at Richard Lagow Elementary School.

November 9, 2014: Earl Davis, father of DSO Vincent Davis, Support Services/Cook Chill, passed away.

November 10, 2014: Irene Bagsby, mother of Bettye Williams, Fugitive Section-Extradition Specialist-Clerk 5, passed away.

November 12, 2014: Aleyamma Abraham, mother of Jacob Abraham, Bonds/Warrants Clerk, passed away.

November 19, 2014: Dakota Watson, son of Deputy Derrell Watson, Civil Warrants, passed away.

Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers during their time of sorrow.

On Saturday - November 8, 2014 as part of the Veterans Affairs Homeless Stand Down, the Dallas VA gave away over 200 coats for homeless veterans.

Veterans were also provided with various other clothing items.

DSO Rolando Garcia (North Tower) was present. He and his uncle provided free hygiene kits for the veterans. DSO Garcia also makes wooden toys he donates to homeless and under served children.

The 2014 Veterans Day Parade.

Dallas County Sheriff’s Department 133 N. Riverfront Blvd. LB-31 Dallas, Texas 75207-4313

For submission of a newsletter item: Carmen.Castro@dallascounty.org

Grant writer Rue Mayweather, a military veteran attended a Veterans Affairs Homeless Stand Down event hosted for women where they were given free makeovers, information on benefits, employments and other helpful information

For the latest updates: www.dallas-sheriff.com

Volume 14 Number 07

Page 8

Volume 14 Number 07

Page 9