Dear Judge, Our newspaper wanted to honor our men and women in uniform by devoting a special section with the national hashtag #WeSeeYou to be part of the theme. We wanted to highlight the hero aspect but to also humanize them by telling personal stories. We also had photos of people - all ages - holding the #WeSeeYou signs throughout our social media. For our first endeavor, we were pleased with the end product. Sincerely,
Sue Brown Editor Pleasanton Express 830-570-7543 sbrown@pleasantonexpress.com
830-569-6130 • Fax: 830-569-6100 • 114 E. Goodwin • Pleasanton, TX 78064
We See You ...
ERIC KAISER JOURDANTON CHIEF OF POLICE
The last couple of years have been tough for those in law enforcement. In some parts of the country elected officials have abandoned officers when it is politically expedient to do so. Riots have ravaged cities big and small and officers right here in Texas have been gunned down for simply committing themselves to a career as a cop. The flip side to this coin is a huge segment of our population, frustrated by the attacks on society’s guardians, used these events to show their support for the men and women of the “Thin Blue Line.” When Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth was executed while fueling his car at a gas station, tens of thousands of Texans marched in the streets. They didn’t burn and loot, they didn’t destroy property and vandalize businesses…they marched to show their support for officers and deputies across the state. It was in this climate that the hashtag #WeSeeYou was born. Coined by the wife of a police officer to send the See #WeSeeYou, page 9D message
Keeping the fallen forever in our hearts LISA LUNA LIFESTYLES EDITOR
“He was so giving and he had such a big heart. He would do anything for anybody,” said Rachel Stephenson, widow of the late Mark Stephenson. “He loved his job. It meant a lot to him.” Stephenson, an Atascosa County Sheriff’s Deputy, lost his life in the Atascosa County Ambush on Oct. 12, 1999, along with fellow Deputy Thomas Monse and DPS Trooper Terry Miller. The three had responded to a bogus domestic violence call on Coughran and Corgey Rd. just east of Pleasanton. Rachel Stephenson grew up in Poteet and graduated from Poteet High School in 1984. Mark, a military baby, graduated from Kadena High School in Japan. He also attended Gateway School in San Antonio and was friends with Robby Evans of Pleasanton, who attended the same school. He graduated from the Police Academy in San Antonio. Mark was a non-paid Reserve for the Elmendorf Police Department. At the same time, he worked for Wackenhut (now GEO prison system) in downtown San Antonio. He also served his country as a member of the Army. The couple met through a co-worker, Rudy Garza, See Forever, page 2D
2D | LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION Pleasanton Express | Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Forever CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1D
formerly a Deputy for Atascosa County. “He introduced us. We dated for three weeks and then we got married. He swept me off my feet,” said Stephenson.
They had three children: Alyssa, now 19; Jay, now 22 and James, now 32. She speaks fondly of how he was so easy-going. They never argued and he was really sweet. “They don’t make them like that anymore.” When they both worked at the sheriff’s office
DEPUTY MARK STEPHENSON
at the same time, when Rachel was working and Mark was off, he would come to the office, bringing along the children as he did paperwork. She also shared a memory from the same day that he was killed. “He came in early, because we were going
on vacation the next day. He just came to visit with me, before he went out on patrol. We were talking about our vacation and all the things we were going to do-- the fishing and spending time with the family.” They usually worked opposite shifts, so when
DPS TOOPER TERRY MILLER
she worked nights, he worked days, or vice versa. “Of course, he was being... you know how husbands are. He was sitting on my lap, being kind of corny. That is what I remember.” Stephenson said what helped her cope the most
over the years has been mostly family and a few close friends. “I didn’t believe in God before it happened. My faith has helped me a lot. I think since that happened, I have always found myself thinking, God has never not been there for me.”
DEPUTY THOMAS MONSE
ERIKA VELA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Mary Alice Monse stands alongside the memorial in Pleasanton. LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Mother and daughter, Rachel Stephenson and Alyssa Stephenson are pictured at the memorial in downtown Pleasanton.
Alyssa Stephenson Rachel and daughter Alyssa currently reside in Jourdanton. Alyssa graduated from Poteet High School in 2015 and just finished the medical assistant program at Southwest Schools in San Antonio. Every now and then, Alyssa has moments where she just cries and cannot control it. “There have always been events, where it is a father thing and she doesn’t have one,” said Rachel. Alyssa had just turned 4-years-old, when she lost her father, so she has few memories of him. “I know what he looks like and I remember him, but not really anything that we did. I will always remember that one time we went to Rockport and we were in a pool together, but that is about it,” said Alyssa. “If she was older, she’d have a lot of memories, because he always had her with him, wherever he went-her and Jay because they were little,” said her mother. Alyssa added that she remembers every time her father was walking you could hear him from the neighbor’s house in his big boots. See Backing the Blue, page 8D
LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Karen Miller and her daughter, Amanda Miller stand by the memorial in Pleasanton.
Karen Miller & Amanda Miller Karen Miller is the widow of the late Terry Miller. She currently works in the county clerk’s office at the Atascosa County Courthouse. They had one daughter, Amanda Miller, now 18. Karen grew up in Gregory-Portland and graduated from there. They married in Corpus Christi. Terry attended the DPS Academy and when he got out of the Academy, he was transferred to Freer. After his first year there, he transferred to Pleasanton. Terry began his career in law enforcement with the Sinton Police Department. He then worked with the San Patricio County Sheriff’s Office, which is when Karen met him. He was then hired by DPS. “He was a very good father. On his days off, he always took her to the park. He had one of those carriages you could attach to your bike and he would put her in that and go bike riding with her. He would take her to the grocery store,” said Karen. “He would be putting something together. I remember she had this little toy bench. He was putting it together and she wanted to help. They would sit there on the floor.” When her father passed away, she was just shy of 2-years-old, so she does not have any memories of him. As far as it affecting her she said that she really didn’t know any different. Karen credits the community, family and friends for helping her cope the most over the years. She also attended Police Week events in 2000 in Washington, D.C., shortly after they were killed. She has wanted to go back, but has not. She has also been to similar events in Florida. She reiterated the words of Mary Alice and Rachel, when it comes to anti-police rhetoric. “Who do they call when they need somebody? They are the first ones they call. That is very true and dear to my heart.” Amanda is ready to graduate from Pleasanton High School. She will be attending Texas A&M University in College Station to study Business Administration.
#WESEEYOU
EJ Lozano & Elijah Velasquez
Janie Fischer Janie Fischer, mother of the late Thomas Monse, moved back to Jourdanton in 2011. “I can’t get too far away from my grandchildren,” she said. She shared some of the memories of her son. On his birthday (Feb. 24), the two would play a guessing game of what he wanted for dinner. “Mom, what’s for dinner? You know it’s my birthday,” said Thomas. She would pretend not to know what favorite dish Thomas wanted her to make. She made him sour cream enchiladas, pinto beans and a particular kind of cornbread. For dessert, Janie made him buttermilk pie. “Those are the stories that make my heart grow,” said Janie. She spoke about the Christmas stockings she made for her sons, Thomas and Max Talamantez and her grandchildren. Janie began making a stocking for Thomas the year before he was killed. Afterwards, Janie told Thomas’ son David Monse that one day, when he was old enough to take good care of it, she would give him Thomas’ stocking. David asked for a favor, requesting that his grandmother take off the name Thomas and put “Dad.” She did and David has it now, along with a special Sheriff’s star and chain. Before Janie’s father passed away in 1988, he gave her two pocket knives- one for each grandson to pass on to their sons. So Janie’s grandchildren David and little Max each have one, which were wrapped in handkerchiefs along with a note saying it is from Grandpa. “Thomas loved to joke. During Christmas, he was like a child in a toy store. It was his favorite time of the year… and he loved that Mexican music.”
Mary Alice Monse The widow of the late Thomas Monse, Mary Alice Monse grew up in Leming and graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1983. Thomas also attended PHS. The two made their home in Christine, when he started working with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office. Mary Alice joked about how the first home they lived in had really low ceilings so Thomas had to duck to get in, as he was over 6 feet tall. They eventually got their own home, which they lived in until he passed away. Their daughter Lauri, now 30, the eldest of four children and her family live there now. Mary Alice lives on a small ranch three blocks from her old home, along with her youngest son, David, who is taking a year off college. He is 22. Her son Justin is 28 and proudly served in the U.S. Army and Afghanistan. He currently works at Chalk Mountain and is married with children. She also has a 26-year-old son, Daylon. Mary Alice has been blessed with eight grandchildren, all but one are girls. Thomas, like Stephenson, attended police training in San Antonio. “I have always said when people go into law enforcement, there is something special about them. There is something unique about them, where they just have a great love for people.” Thomas was a jack-of-all trades. He worked as a welder with Zachary, mechanic for Brush Country Chevrolet and built commercial bodies for trucks. Their children were small when Thomas decided he wanted to go into law enforcement. He felt in his heart that law enforcement is what he wanted to do. Mary Alice said, “I will back you up and whatever you want to do—let’s do it.” She worked while he went to school. He applied to many places, hoping to end up in Port Lavaca because he loved to fish. That is where he was working for Zachary, when Sheriff Tommy Williams called him for an interview. He came back home, working nights while she worked in San Antonio, so they missed each other often. They would go on midnight ice cream runs to spend some time together. Then they started going to breakfast at 5 a.m., which became their routine. Mary Alice remembered when the Sheriff’s Office got new cars. She loaded up the children and they came by the office, looking for Thomas’ number, #636. Stephenson had a car, too, #633. “I let him know, ‘You got one!’ When he came home for the first time with the car, he called out on the loud speaker for us to come on See Monse, page 8D
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
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Atascosa County
Pleasanton Express
LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION | 3D
LEON ZABAVA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Atascosa County Sheriff’s Department, left to right, front row: Chief Investigator Jake Guerra, Lieutenant Investigator Max Peralta, Deputy/Bailiff Zenaida Vera-Ramos, Sheriff David Soward, Sergeant/Bailiff Norma Jordan, Deputy Daniel Kaufman, Deputy Caleb Bunch, Deputy A.J. Mendez. Standing 2nd row: Sgt. Investigator Robert Newman, Lieutenant Wayne Stratton, Sgt. Investigator Joseph Manguso, Deputy John Mendoza, Deputy Craig Johnson - Transport Div., Sergeant Paul Schneider, Deputy Chris Neely, Deputy Stephen Wilson, Deputy Daniel Gamez, Deputy Henry Dominguez - Warrants, Sgt. Investigator Jesse Martinez, Corporal/Bailiff Bill Ricks; third row; Sergeant Joe Saucedo, Chief Deputy Cregg Thompson, Deputy Tzu-Chi Chia, Deputy Terry Cooper - Warrants/ Transport, Deputy/Bailiff Alex Garcia, Sergeant Kevin Draughn, Deputy/Bailiff Andy Rutherford, Sergeant John Rothenbach, Deputy Gavin Lindsay, Deputy Cory Juber, Deputy Daniel Gonzales, Captain Inv. Matthew Miller back row; Deputy Ivan Mendez, Deputy Roger Garcia, Corporal Greg Pierce - Civil Div., Deputy Bryan Cantu, Deputy J.D. Ruiz, Deputy Clint Luckett, George Lopez and Deputy Chris Gomez. Not pictured, Sgt. Investigator Albert Garza and Deputy Peter Allen.
LEON ZABAVA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Atascosa County Constables, from left, Constable Percy Medina, Pct. 1; Constable Edward Richter, Pct. 2; Constable Rick Luna, Pct. 3 and Constable Bill Meadows, Pct. 4.
Law Enforcement
4D | LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION
Pleasanton Express
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Wednesday, May 11, 2016
LEON ZABAVA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
4B
Pleasanton Police Department personnel, front row, from left, Sgt. David Jimenez, Kai Viesta, Lt. Ernest Guerra, Cpt. Johnny Gonzales, Chief Ronald Sanchez, Det. Jordan Haren, Damian Balderas, Jessi Chia, Daniel Zertuche; back row, Ricardo Olveda, Anastacio Perez, Justin Granado, Anthony Gonzalez, Phillip Glass, Lt. Jim Cole, Sgt. Pierce Ruple and Matthew De Leon.
JENNIFER HICKMAN | COURTESY PHOTO
Poteet Police Department, left to right, front row: Lt. F. Leal, K. Trevino, D. Wilborn, J. Velasquez, Y. Lopez, A. Gonzalez, M. Sanchez, Sgt. W. Dennis, Cpl. R. Maldonado, Chief B. Hickman; back row: D. Rios, Sgt. L. Gutierrez, Y. Mejia, J. Wilborn-Hickman, M. Segura, R. Tarin and Sgt. W. Butler. Not Pictured: L. Wilborn, W. Permenter, T. Guerrero, C. Flores, J. Cavazos, C. Llamas, R. Santos, A. Trevino and N. Rodriguez.
CAMERON THOMPSON | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Poteet Resource Officers, left to right: Willie Mendez, Yvonne Lopez and Luis Gutierrez.
LEON ZABAVA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Jourdanton Police Department, from left, Officer Jimmy Treviño, Officer Smitty Gonzales, Officer Tina Egelston, Chief Eric Kaiser, Officer Steven Faz, Officer Mari Magana, Officer Timothy Sawicki, Lt. David Presley and Sgt. Santos Gonzales. Not pictured are Officer Jeff Hines and Officer Steve Delgado.
CHRIS FILOTEO | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Derek Iden, Game Warden IV, Atascosa County, TPWD Law Enforcement Division.
SUE BROWN | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Pleasanton Police Resource Officers, EJ Lozano, left and Sgt. Willie Galloway.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
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Pleasanton Express
I knew when... My name is Anastacio Perez Jr. and I am currently a patrol officer for the Pleasanton Police Department. I am from San Antonio and have lived there my whole life. I attended Brackenridge High School where I became interested in joining the military. Right after graduation in 2005, I enlisted into the United States Marine Corp where I became attached to an Infantry Battalion, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines, Fox Company 1st Platoon better known as the “Magnificent Bastards.” As soon as September 2006, I was in Ramadi, Iraq doing my first combat tour. I was only 19 at the time going on 20. One day when I was doing watch on a rooftop after being in firefights throughout the night I thought to myself, “What am I going to do with my life?” I’ve always been one to help other people and realized pretty quickly during the war that there was evil in this world. The Iraq war matured me to realize there are so many things we take for granted. So in return I believe the Iraq war inspired me to become a police officer to continue that service to American citizens that need help day in and day out. My biggest influence in pursuing a career in law enforcement would be my mother. She has always pushed me to get out there to set goals and accomplish those goals. Anastacio Perez Jr. Pleasanton Patrol Officer I have wanted to be a police officer for most of my life. No one thing inspired me to pursue the career path. It was more of a feeling that I would enjoy the work and could help people in bad situations. I was 12 or 13 when I knew, I was 25 when I actively started pursuing a career in law enforcement. My parents were one of my greatest influences. They taught me to always do the right thing even when it hurts. Retired Trooper Bob Bratten was another influence for me. I am from Jourdanton, graduated from high school there and went on to receive my Bachelors degree from Texas A&M Kingsville where I majored in Criminology and minored in Psychology. I live in Pleasanton where I am a Sergeant in the Pleasanton Police Department. Pierce Ruple Pleasanton Sergeant
I am Yvonne Padilla, Officer with the San Antonio Police Department. My greatest influence in becoming a police officer was my need to provide structure, support and a future for my boys. I wanted them to know that unfortunate circumstances didn’t define a dismal future for our family. I wanted them to see optimism, success and “better days” ahead. My boys have grown and my family has expanded and I continue to use these same influences to drive me to show my daughter, Ava Grace, these important qualities as well. I was born and raised in Pleasanton. I attended high school at Pleasanton ISD then attended Wayland Baptist University where I received a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. Yvonne Padilla San Antonio Police Officer
Padilla believes staying fit is key. Recently, she had no voice and was on medicine but managed to lead a class at her Fit 180 Boot Camp & Group Fitness.
#WESEEYOU
Growing up on the east side of Pleasanton I saw a lot of drug abuse and crime in my neighborhood, and I told myself that one day I would do my best to make a difference in society. No matter where I worked, even if it meant sacrificing myself to protect and serve. I was eight years old when I made the decision to be a Police Officer and was influenced by Sheriff Tommy Williams, Deputy Thomas Monse and Deputy Constable Phillip Bosquez. I was born and raised in Pleasanton and graduated from Pleasanton High School. I am currently a Patrolman for the Poteet Police Department. Kelly Treviño Poteet Patrolman
My name is Lt. D. Presley with the Jourdanton Police Department. I was raised in Central Texas and moved to South Texas a couple of years ago. Since I was a young child, I knew I was going to serve in the Marine Corps and later became a police officer. My grandmother recalls, prior to the age of six, an incident where she had heard a car honking in front of her house. She immediately started looking for me since I had a habit of going on “adventures.” She said she looked outside and I was in the middle of the road with her gloves on directing traffic. Over the years I have been blessed to have the opportunity to serve in several communities. To isolate the greatest influence of why I pursued almost 20 years in this career is difficult. Having the chance to give back to a community is a privilege. I enjoy the camaraderie of the profession, and I have a very supportive family. Or maybe I’m just a slow learner! Either way, nothing I have done over the years has better prepared me to see we all have a part in our community. I thank you and my agency for allowing me the opportunity to be a small part of this community. D. Presley Jourdanton Police Department Lieutenant My name is Derek Iden. I am originally from San Antonio and attended Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio, Texas, class of 1992. I went to UT Austin for two years then finished up at UTSA with a BA in Criminal Justice. I currently reside in Jourdanton. I grew up in a family that was rooted in Law Enforcement. My grandfather retired as a Captain with the Chicago Police Department in the late 60's and my father retired from the FBI as an Assistant Director in 2000. One brother is a ten-year veteran with SAPD and another brother is an Attorney in California for a U.S. District Judge. I knew at an early age that I wanted to do something with my life that combined my love for the outdoors with my innate desire to help others. Becoming a Texas Game Warden was very difficult yet it fit me perfectly. I'm able to protect our natural resources, help victims of general crimes, help victims of accidents & injuries, and do so much more than I can fit into this response. My career affords me the flexibility to deal with minor infractions like citations up to comprehensive in- depth major investigations that have resulted in federal prison sentences. There's no other career that I'd rather have at this point in my life. I've been a game warden for 16 years and I can retire in about 9 years. If I retire in 9 years I will go to Law School and then practice law. I remind myself daily that it's a privilege to have this career and to not take it for granted Derek Iden Game Warden IV Atascosa County
MORE ‘I KNEW WHEN’ ON PAGE 11D
Dania Rabago
At the age of 17, I was helping my friend carry an amplifier back to his house from my house in Universal City. While crossing the street a police officer stopped us for looking suspicious. While the police officer was making sure we did not steal the amplifier I was asking him why he became a police officer. After the police officer answered my questions, he inspired me to get into criminal justice. After speaking to the officer, I enrolled myself into a criminal justice class at Judson High School. I graduated in 2010 from Judson High School. After graduating high school, I wanted to do more activities involving criminal justice. I enrolled into the Citizen Police Academy in Universal City, and I joined the San Antonio Explorer Program in 2011. After joining the police explorers my heart was set on being a police officer. During the explorer program I dropped 80 pounds to be in better condition, and studied the Texas Penal Code. When I became of age to enroll into a police academy I got accepted into the AACOG Police Academy and graduated May 8, 2015. A few months after graduating the academy I applied for the Pleasanton Police Department, and became a sworn police officer March 4, 2016. I still live in Universal City. Matthew De Leon Pleasanton Police Officer
LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION | 5D
6D | LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION
Pleasanton Express | Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Faith, Family & Law ERIKA VELA SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS EDITOR
Faith and family are everything in the WilbornHickman family. They pray together, love one another and work to enforce the laws in the city of Poteet together. Everything they do in their community is done together. Poteet’s Police Chief Bruce Hickman has worked in law enforcement a little over 12 years and has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 9 years. Jennifer is a volunteer at the police department and is also the president of the Poteet Police Association. Chief Hickman was named Chief of the Poteet Police Department in September 2015. They have two sons Devon Wilborn and Ace Hickman. Devon is a Poteet Reserve Police Officer, volunteer firefighter, certified EMT and also works full-time as a dispatcher in Balcones Heights. Chief Hickman’s mother-in-law, Lydia Wilborn, has been donating her time as a volunteer at the Poteet Police Department since February. “It’s a blessing to have law enforcement officers in the family and to take part in it,” said Jennifer. “It really allows us to be much closer as a family and a married couple. I have to say that we always give honor and glory to God for everything, as well as, the opportunity for us to work together for our community.” Lydia is also happy to be volunteering with the department and helping the community in any way she can. She is actively involved in the Poteet Police Association as its fundraising coordinator. “The experience both these women have is amazing. They’re both certified to read and review our reports. They
both look at our reports that way when they leave here and head to court, the courts are receiving the best reports they can get. I’m so thankful to have my wife and mother-in-law here working with me,” said Hickman. As with any career in law enforcement, things can be rocky. Tensions may run high and fears and worries set in. Hickman previously worked as a sheriff’s deputy and in those days a police scanner was Jennifer’s peace of mind. “Everytime either one of them walk out the door, I always give them a kiss and hug because the reality for me is I just don’t know what can happen to them out there. As a wife and mother I worry and I’m concerned, but I just give it all to God. I pray for them everyday and leave it in God’s hands,” said Jennifer. As a grandmother and mother-in-law, Lydia says she prays for them every single day. Chief Hickman and Devon agreed having Jennifer and Lydia as volunteer reports clerks at the police department gives them an insight into the police world, what they deal with on the streets of Poteet and peace of mind. They get to know the police officers in the department who work with them and know who they can depend on to keep them all safe.
Finding Balance At some point, there has to be a balance between family and work life. Some of you reading are probably questioning how they make it work? It was simply put by Devon. “From what I’ve seen, it just kind of comes natural to all of us. There’s such an open line of communication that we’re able
to talk to one another. Whether it’s about what goes on at work or outside of work. We always have that opportunity to speak our mind or ask a question,” said Devon. Chief Hickman said having hobbies, a personal business and different outs are important, as well. The family members are all involved with their churches. Jennifer also works in her family’s business, Wilborn Steel Co., for over 20 years. Outside of law enforcement, they all stay busy.
Law Enforcement Runs Deep For Chief Hickman, he’s always felt a career in law enforcement was his calling. When Chief Hickman was growing up in Poteet, he knew he wanted to become a law enforcement officer. As a young boy, he looked up to retired Assistant Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Gonzalez, whom is also Jennifer’s brother-in-law. “I thought his job was the coolest in the world. You know cops are idols to children. I always thought he was the coolest guy in the world. They paid him to drive around, gave him a gun and he got to go eat everywhere for free. That’s what I saw when I was that young,” said Chief Hickman. However, when he was growing up he tried various jobs like carpentry, plumbing, house leveling, teaching and also served our country as an Air Force Reservist. “But this is the only thing that’s really satisfied my desire to be a servant. I’m here serving my community and it works out well. But, I’ve always just felt I had the calling to do it. When I got into it, I just couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” said Chief
PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER HICKMAN
Poteet Chief of Police Bruce Hickman with son Ace Hickman (front), wife Jennifer Wilborn Hickman, mother-inlaw Lydia Wilborn and son Devon Wilborn.
Hickman. “You know, just being able to find opportunities to help people ... it’s the fact that we can always find a solution to somebody’s problem.” Devon also saw his uncle Steven as a role model, too. Gonzalez would take him to the dispatch office sometimes. He remembers sitting there and listening
to everything that would happen. “I was always holding his radio as far back as I can remember. It was something I always wanted to do. When I was 18, I had a countdown of how many months, weeks and days until I graduated high school. About a month after I graduated, I grabbed
my first opportunity to start dispatching,” said Devon. At first, he wasn’t sure he wanted to go into law enforcement as an officer. He became a dispatcher in 2010 and it was through dispatching and listening to what was going on he See Hickman, page 10D
Brothers In Arms NOEL WILKERSON HOLMES PUBLISHER
Jourdanton Police Sergeants and brothers Smitty, 38, and Santos Gonzales, 37, have an
attitude of gratitude when it comes to most things in life. From very early ages if they found themselves in a negative environment they chose to take a positive life lesson from the
Brothers Smitty Gonzales and Santos Gonzales are both officers with the Jourdanton Police Department.
situation. “I was inspired to become a police officer after being witness to family violence in my own household as a child. I wanted to one day be able to stop that for someone else,” said Santos. He said that a Texas State Trooper who arrested his father is still one of the biggest influences in him becoming a police officer. Police officers refer to each other as brothers and Santos said that goes double for him because he said that he literally gets to work with my brother. “Working together is awesome,” said Santos. “We have a passion for it. Sometimes we work on the same days and get to ride out with each other. We know how each other thinks. It makes for a unique work experience.” Being only one year apart the brothers are especially close. “We’ve always been friends together. We played football and competed against each other. I love this experience I cannot imagine living without,” said Santos. “It is hard to describe. It is so awesome when you love what you do. You know that old saying,” said Santos, “Find a job you love and you will never work again.” Santos has a support team to come home to as
well. “My wife supports me in so many ways. Being a police officer is not an easy job. The schedule isn’t easy especially when you are a supervisor and you are on call. Sometimes we have to go in at the drop of a dime. Without her support I am not able to do my job. She is very strong. You have to have a strong woman beside you to do this job. It is not an easy thing to do.” Santos says that it is difficult for his wife because when he walks out that door, she never knows what will happen. He said that on his days off if he gets a call for example at 3:00 a.m. his wife knows it is a bad situation. He said she will not go back to sleep until he sends her a text that reads 10:4. She told Santos, “After that text, I am good to go.” Santos said a difficult part of the job is missing so many of his son and daughter’s events. His son plays basketball and his daughter is in the band. Santos says he tries to establish something that shows I still support you all. But, when he misses they tell him that they understand. That means the world to him. He said they are great and supportive kids. When he works an See Gonzales, page 10D
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 | Pleasanton Express LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION | 7D
Our Own ‘Blues Brothers’ SUE BROWN EDITOR
Brothers Gary Soward, former Pleasanton Chief of Police and Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward started out their law enforcement careers much the same way. They both rode along with other officers and were dispatchers with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office. They even realized they wanted to be in law enforcement while working for their late father, Martin Soward. The elder brother Gary decided in 1974, after working with his father in the candy machine business, to enter the world of law enforcement. He started riding along with Frank Leal during his shifts. It was at this time he found out that anything could happen and when it did the adrenalin rush, plus knowing that they were helping people appealed to him. In December 1974, he began as a dispatcher under Sheriff Tommy Williams at the old jail. He then served under Sheriff Ray Strickland until he joined the Pleasanton Police Department August 1, 1975. Chief Bill Dean hired him and Gary worked his way up as an Investigator, Captain then Chief in 2000. He noted that he worked under every city manager since Clarence Magel. Sometime in 2011, Gary started thinking about retiring. “I picked up the retirement packet and it
LEON ZABAVA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Retired Pleasanton Chief of Police Gary Soward
sat on my desk for about a year,” said the former chief. Finally in 2012, after 37 years on the Pleasanton Police force, he retired from the world of law enforcement. But he didn’t spend his days relaxing not in the least. “I retired on July 20 and three days later I went to work at Pumpco as their Safety Officer. When he started there, his supervisor asked what did people call him and he replied “Chief”. So, that was monogrammed on his shirts and that is what everyone knew him as on the different sites he would visit. One of his defining cases was when he was a patrol officer in the late 70s. The
owner of Haiduk’s Jewelry had been kidnapped. The men had cased the business and her schedule and followed her home. After kidnapping her they forced her to open the store and robbed her. Texas Ranger Gene Powell also investigated the crime which took them to McAllen and eventually to Mexico. “When we made the case and arrested them - after it all came together - it sure made me feel good. We even got some of her jewelry back,” said Soward. There were sad times, too. He vividly remembers when Officer Lester Fuller was shot. Chief Bill Dean was in the car with Fuller. As Fuller approached a
vehicle that had been stopped, he was shot. Soward said that he was having coffee with Woody Cobb at the bowling alley when he heard the call. They chased the men down Hwy. 281 (IH37 had not been completed) into Whitsett area. The Live Oak County Sheriff’s office set up a road block with an 18-wheeler and the men stopped and gave up. Of course the October 12, 1999 ambush of our local officers still sits heavy in his heart. He was at home when he got the notice that officers were down and that his officer Louis Tudyk had been shot. When he arrived on scene shots were still being fired. “That was a sad, bad time,” said Gary. Over the years, the Pleasanton native has had to arrest friends. Thankfully, they knew that he had a job to do and never held it against him. When asked if he misses being an officer he replied, “No, not until about six months ago.”
Younger Brother Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward was a12year-old boy when he realized that he wanted to be in law enforcement. He was running his father’s firecracker stand by Food & Fun on July 4th and had strapped on his belt a fixed blade hunting knife. Gene Powell, then Pleasanton Chief of Police, approached the young Soward and asked what he was wearing. “A belt,”
Shots Fired RONALD SANCHEZ CHIEF OF PLEASANTON POLICE DEPT.
I got the phone call shortly after midnight. The shaky voice on the other end of the line was my sister-in-law Jeanette. “Hey, John’s been shot.” My brother John Sanchez graduated from the San Antonio Police Academy in 1983. He was 5 years into his career and assigned to San Antonio’s west side when he was dispatched to a shots fired call on Keitha Street. That was January 31, 1988. I vividly remember that call like it was yesterday. I was 23 years old and living with my parents when Jeanette called to tell me my brother had been shot. I asked Jeanette, “Where was he shot” meaning; what part
of town was he at when he was shot. She misunderstood my question and replied, “In the face, with a shotgun.” OK, that wasn’t the answer I was expecting. Jeanette then told me, “Don’t tell your mom.” I’m sure Jeanette was a bundle of nerves and was concerned about my mom’s reaction. I replied, “Uh, she’s probably going to find out.” Jeanette was picked up at home by a member of the SAPD and taken straight to Wilford Hall. Imagine having to break that news to your parents. I was not prepared. Jeanette was now experiencing what every police wife fears, her husband had been shot. I never imagined I would one day wake from a deep sleep
only to learn that my brother had been shot. I didn’t know if he was alive or dead. I worried about how my mom would react. She was always nervous about John being a cop. She took the news better than most moms would have. She remained stoic as we drove to Wilford Hall. The MP at the gate was expecting us. He waved us through once we told him why we were there. The emergency room was a flood of blue uniforms; and mustaches. In an eerie sense of clarity, I noticed every police officer there had a mustache, even the lady officers. (OK, I’m joking about the lady officers). We were quickly escorted past everyone and taken straight to
PHOTO COURTESY OF RONALD SANCHEZ
Pleasanton Chief of Police Ronald Sanchez, mother Lucy Sanchez and brother John Sanchez at the ceremony when John received his Purple Heart for being wounded in the line of duty.
John’s room. I remember walking in and breathing a huge sigh of relief, he was alive. The EMS personnel had cut off his uniform shirt and he was lying in the hospital bed in just his t shirt and uniform pants. He had caught a load of 12 gauge birdshot square in the face. If it had been buckshot, he would have been killed. He had what looked to be about 100 holes all over his face. Most were still seeping blood. He was a bloody mess. A Sergeant pulled us aside and told us what had happened. When John and his partner, Ernest Celaya arrived at the call, they entered a wooded area along See Sanchez, page 10D
SUE BROWN | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward
responded David at first. Then admitted that he had a hunting knife. “Take it off,” said Powell. David was impressed with the
giant of a man that Powell was and that he came up and talked to him. Also, See Soward, page 10D
8D | LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION Pleasanton Express | Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Backing the Blue
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2D
When it comes to the rise in antipolice groups and criticism, Rachel Stephenson said, “Something happens and they’re like, ‘Oh, the police are doing this.’ When they do something wrong, that is not what the rest of them are all about. They are all different and there are a lot of good officers out there. There are a lot of them that do their job and enjoy their job and do it the way it should be. They shouldn’t judge the whole group by the actions of just one person. When I read all that stuff, it makes me so angry because they blanket them all.” Rachel is back to her old job as a dispatcher at the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office. Some may wonder if she finds this difficult, considering she is the widow of a fallen officer. “I don’t think a lot of the guys know my history, because a lot of them are new. If they were to know, I want them just to remember... how can I say this? When they look at me, I want them to realize what could happen when they are out there and they should be careful. We have this conversation with some of our guys sometimes, because they will be out and we will check on them. Some of them may get a little annoyed because we’re constantly checking on them, but that is our job. We have to check on them to make sure that they are okay. I
Department holds a live-streaming of National Police Week events in Washington, D.C. She, Mary Alice Monse and Karen Miller (the other widows of fallen oficers) attended the Jourdanton Police Department’s live web-cast of the Washington, D.C. event in 2014. “It is important for me to go as much as I can, just to show my support, because it happens all the time, thank God not around here, but it happens everywhere on a daily basis. It was emotional when we went. I remember, because subjects come up about it and you start talking about it and it just gets kind of emotional.” She would like for more people to turn-out at such memorial events and heed the information that is presented. “I don’t think people realize how often it happens that an officer is killed and how it affects everybody, not just the families but the officers, too, who work alongside them every day. They take a toll. There are a couple of officers that I know that still have a difficult time when they think about it.” Rachel never remarried saying, “I haven’t met Mr. Right yet. Nobody compares to him. That is a big shoe to fill.”
Jay & James Stephenson
Sons Jay Stephenson and James Stephenson are both employed with MasTec Engineering and Construction. Jay lives in Jourdanton and remembers how much his father liked hunting and fishing. He was a family man. “We grew up in Charlotte and I remember my dad was friendly. He was always joking and stuff like that.” Like Rachel, her children sometimes hear stories about their father or how he helped others. Mark kept Teddy bears in his truck to give to children involved in domestic violence calls. James resides in Dilley and works as a lineman for the same company as his brother. He is married to Acacia and has two children: Tristan, age 6 RACHEL STEPHENSON | COURTESY PHOTO and James Jr., who is 5. The Stephensons are joined by a penguin at a party at Sea World: Mark, James remembers the Jay, James, Rachel and Alyssa. good times they spent just want them to know. I want this to hunting and the old, 4-wheel drive truck remind them. I’m still here. I’m still gothat they bought. ing. I love my job. I love it there.” “It had rained a good while. He came Rachel feels that her job is what she back from work (he worked nights) and was meant to do. It took her a long time told us we were going to drive down the to go back, because she was afraid she back roads looking for mud. We almost would be unable to do it. Everyone has got stuck. My brother was 3 and it was been extremely helpful and encouragfun for us. We never did things like that ing. She hopes that those in law enforcebefore,” said James. ment are cautious when they encounter Mark had lots of friends and the somebody they are having a difficult family was extremely close-knit. James situation with. When she walks in and described him as an overall great perout of the office every day, she sees son. After Mark passed away, the upper Mark’s picture on the wall. classmen he hunted with looked out for Rachel attended the National Police James. Week events in Washington, D.C. after James was 17-years-old when his the Ambush. Although she has not been father passed away, so it was especially back since then, she would like to. difficult for him. Some years, the Jourdanton Police “When it all happened, it was kind of dramatic for me. He was a big part of my life. I never had a father figure growing up. I met him when I was 10, and thought of him as my dad.” After his death, James had a really short fuse and was mad at the world. “Then after that I had a few more passings of close friends and family. It felt like a snowball effect. It made things a lot worse.” “I never really had the heart to talk about it. My mom has always wanted See Stephenson, page 9D
Monse
Sheriff Tommy Williams was coming. out. He was a lot of fun.” She learned that Thomas did not make it. The Sheriff said the spouses needed Monse CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2D to get out because the media was on also took their way. care of the Jourdanton High School She gets in the car with her mom and Band. He was the officer that accompathey agree she needs her father, “Papi.” nied them on out-of-town events and enMary Alice is worried about what to joyed doing so. Mary Alice gets together do and what to tell her children. Her with the Jourdanton Band Boosters and mom said that God would give them the matches what is raised for a scholarship strength to do what she needed to. They each year, which they have done since each had different reactions, as they 2000. were different ages. The pain continued, “The school came to us after Thomas with the trials and different things over died, because all of the kids went to the years. To this day, she cannot hear school in Jourdanton. That school was the song “Taps” or bagpipes, as it brings so awesome with my kids. My kids were a sadness to her. so broken when all that happened. That school loved my kids and they took care of my kids. So when the Band Boosters came to us and said they wanted to do a scholarship in Thomas’ name, I felt like I wanted to do something too.’ She describes it as a great legacy which carries on a little bit of Thomas. Taking part in memorial events is comforting to Mary Alice. She enjoys attending when Jourdanton Police Chief Eric Kaiser hosts the livestreaming of the Police Week events at the station. She wants people to know that an event like the ambush is something that changes you forever. It is not something you get over and then just move on. “This is something that never goes away. When your kids graduate from school, they are missing their dad. When they get married, they are missing their dad. Lauri never got to walk down the aisle or anything like that. They never got to share that with him and sometimes Charles Monroe of the Carrollton Police Department completed the meI would feel like, ‘God, am I morial bike ride from Houston to Austin, in honor of ASCSO Deputy Mark enough?’ Stephenson. He is pictured with Deputy Daniel Kaufman. “The memorials are She has learned to find a calmness beautiful, but I want it to stay just as it from different things and listen to is. Nothing needs to be added, because herself instead of others, even if they I know how it was for us and how our meant well. For example, she took her lives changed from one moment to the ring off for about a month, but then felt next.” disconnected. She put it back on because She used to always walk her husband it makes her feel better. She still wears it out to his patrol car. She recalled when today. she walked with him the day he was “When you hear so many bad things killed. Thomas told her he did not feel like working that day. Mary Alice said happening with officers today… that is for him to tell the Sheriff she said he did so sad because there are bad people in not have to work that day and then he every walk of life. You can’t weigh the laughed it off. They kissed goodbye and few for the many. These officers have he left. That week, David was studying that desire to make a difference and see the letter M at school so Thomas told her change. They know behind the badge, to buy him marshmallows. She went to people know that they can trust that the store in Jourdanton, and on her way person. That person is there to help you, back home she passed by the Sheriff’s to rescue you.” Office and saw him walking down the She also reminds others that officers stairs, not knowing that he was going have a family that also stand behind to that dreaded call. They waved at each them. They go to church on Sundays. other and she thought about calling They go to baseball practice with their him, but did not. children, etc. Her father-in-law bought her a police She later said, “What happens one day scanner, because she wanted to know when the officer decides that he isn’t where he was and loved to hear him talk. going to that house anymore. I could say However, Mark had asked her to turn it that, too, because all of this happened off, as it was keeping Rachel awake at under a domestic violence thing. What if night. That particular day, she had it he survived and as his wife I had said, off, but then turned it on while wash‘Why do you keep going over there?’ ing dishes. Mary Alice described how When you are an officer, you know you she turned on the scanner, only to hear are walking into things that are dangerthey were looking for the men. After ous and you don’t know what is on the that, chaos broke out and Mary Alice reother side of that door.” mained in a daze as her children played She relates to other officers and waves in the bedroom. to Officer Tina Egleston when she sees She began crying and then called her her at JISD in the morning. She notices sister, telling her she knew something on Facebook when people sometimes was wrong. She called the office and the buy lunch for officers and said that such dispatcher told her she needed to come. things really matter. They arrived and everyone kept saying For a long time, she used See Monse, page 9D
#WESEEYOU
Dominique Rivera
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
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Pleasanton Express
Stephenson CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8D
us to. I tried therapy one time, but I was very stubborn. I just sat there and thought, ‘If you don’t know me, how are you going to help me?’ I never tried again after that.”
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to get mad easily, but then decided she could not be that way anymore. She tries to remember that, as they say, everyone is fighting their own battle. She told Thomas the day of the funeral that she would remain strong. “I don’t want to be remembered as someone who was always mad. To me, it took a lot of years and a lot of praying.” Mary Alice wants her children to remember that Thomas loved his job and really loved serving others. She wants them to remember his laughter and how to forgive, even when people do not deserve it. Her hatred of the men involved in her husband’s death was
#WeSeeYou CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
that we see the good work being done by law enforcement every day. In this open letter to law enforcement that was written anonymously, a police wife states her point beautifully: “Dear Officer, I want you to know that I see you. I see you choose the booth in the restaurant that allows you to have your back against the wall. I see you walking to your next traffic stop while you hope that it isn’t your last. I see you pulled over, two
Chief Eric Kaiser
hours past your shift, as you finish your reports under a street light. I see you as you direct traffic in the scorching heat, the gusting snow, and the downpour of rain. I see you being filmed every time you try to do your job. I see you as you watch mainstream media crucify your character while minimizing your cause. I see that you are tired, frustrated and misunderstood. I see that you are hurting as the world watches you bury your brothers and sisters that died because they were guilty of one thing; wearing a uniform with a badge. I see that you are flesh and bones just like me. I see that you are a human being who has a heart that beats for your calling to serve and protect. I see your cause and I want you to know that I appreciate it. I hear you. I hear the sound of the garage door open after a long night of consistent tragedy. I hear the sounds of your heavy footsteps and I can
The men he works with now are a tight circle. “When I am gone from the house, that is all I have. They are my family.” He added that losing Mark makes him think about how he does not ever want to leave his children. “I don’t want some-
thing to happen to me or them… something could happen to me on the road or at work. I am on the road a lot– there is never a set schedule. It’s 10 days work, 4 at home. Once we start pulling wire, it has to get done. We are not done until we are done.”
eating her alive and left her feeling like she was in chains. That is what taught her to let it go, not for their sake, but hers. Her son David is going to school for law enforcement, more into investigation. She let him know that she is behind him 100 percent, if that is what he wants to do. The bond that the children of the three widows have can be seen, even when they have not seen each other in years. She said they were blessed to have a community rally around them as it did. What made it so difficult, was that it was in a public arena. Her job at the time, Communities in School of San Antonio, cooked for them for three months. When they went to the memorial dedication in
Jourdanton, she met the son of Luis Garza and saw him bawling. She noticed how the pain never goes away. She feels the department does more to protect themselves now and that it has improved since then. She always thought Williams must have had such a heaviness, being in that situation and that he did the best he could. Mary Alice was thankful to Betty Seifert, who has since passed away. She encouraged her to write down what she felt and later look back on how far she has come. She believes Betty was one of the angels that God sent in her path. She said she will always remember the phrase, “It is not how they died that made them a hero. It is how they lived.”
instantly tell what kind of day it has been for you. I hear the sound of your duty belt hit the kitchen table as you relieve your back from the 30 extra pounds you’ve been carrying all day. I recognize the sound of Velcro as you unstrap your body armor and your work boots. I hear the sound of the refrigerator open as you rummage for leftovers, because you often go without breaks and without meals for an entire shift. I hear the sound of your little boy’s bedroom door open as you enter his room. I hear the sound of you kissing his cheek and whispering that you love him. And even though you do not speak, I still hear you. I still know that something happened on your shift that has broken your heart. I feel you. I feel the difference in the way you hug me before you leave to go to the grocery store and the way you hug me before you leave for one more night on your beat. I feel the grip of your hand as they wheel you back to surgery to fix an injury you have sustained on the job. I feel the wetness of your tears as you try to make sense of the tiny life that was taken by the hands of her parents. I feel the sigh of relief when you see your little boy running towards you after you’ve experienced too much darkness in the world. I feel the sinking of your morale as you watch a very vocal and sparse opposition flood social media with their misplaced passion for their idea of justice. I feel the way you look at me as you read that one more of your brothers or sisters have fallen victim to a hate crime. We both know that it could be our family at any given moment. I need you. We need you. America needs you. I know that the world isn’t making it any easier for you to wake up
with the same passion you had when you first started. I know the world is making it extremely difficult for you to feel like anyone is on your side. I know the world is making you feel like the only allies you have can only be found in each other. I know that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to put your life on the line for a world that has seemingly turned their backs on you. But, I also know that won’t stop you. What the world seems to forget is that you don’t suit up every day for their approval. God knows you don’t do it for the money. You do it because it’s your calling. You do it for the safety of those who do not have the means to protect themselves. You do it because you believe that you can help goodness persevere in the face of evil. You’ve chosen to be a warrior and warriors don’t hang up their hats because of the opinion of someone else. I wish I knew how to fix it. The only thing I know how to do is support you. I’m aware that there isn’t a magic solution that will make the world see you for who you are; the amazing men and women in blue. I just want you to know that I see you. I need you to know that you are appreciated by a vast majority who is in your corner. I need you to know that you aren’t alone. I need you to feel the presence of those who love and support you. We are rallied behind you and ready to defend your character at any given moment. You are honorable. You are courageous. You are worthy of a nation’s support. We see you. We need you. We love you. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for getting up again today to protect my family. You are undeniably my heroes. I love you all.” To the wives, husbands and families that stand behind those who wear a badge for a living… #WeSeeYouToo Until next time, Chief Eric Kaiser ERIC KAISER is the Chief of Police for the Jourdanton Police Department and a Master Texas Peace Officer.
LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION
#WESEEYOU
Misty Albert, Wyatt Albert, Kimber Leal & Hailey Albert
Jaden Kaiser
Genieve Turner
| 9D
10D | LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION
#WESEEYOU
Sanchez CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7D
Caitlyn and Kaylie Stratton, daughters of Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Investigator Wayne Stratton.
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overnight shift he said his children would ask if he has the day off. When he says yes, they tell him to go get some rest, and then let’s go do things. Smitty, Santos older brother, had many influences in becoming a police officer. His biggest influences were his mother, uncle and law enforcement. He too witnessed domestic abuse along side his brother and saw the law enforcement that came to help as Super Heroes. “When we were very young, the officers were role models and hero figures. Basically, they seemed
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gained an interest in becoming a police officer. He later graduated from the police academy in 2013. “I wanted to help people, too. Seeing what actually happens when the call is dispatched and the police officers take action and going through the whole scenario is neat to see how it starts and ends. That’s what made me want to join the police academy to become an officer,” said Devon.
Countering Negativity Since October 1, 2015, the Poteet Police Department has tackled 72 drug cases and written numerous citations. They’ve changed structures, adopted new policies and are moving in a new direction. Law enforcement in Poteet has been through tough times over the years, however,
like the hero and if I needed help they would be there,” said Smitty. “I wanted to be that type of person to be the one to come to the rescue. I figured the best way to do that would be to go into law enforcement,”Smitty added. “I do not know the names of the law enforcement who helped us, but I remember their faces. They are almost like Superman to me.“ “The biggest factor that played a role was the helplessness I saw at such an early age. I saw law enforcement in a positive light helping and it greatly influenced me to know this is what I wanted to be. My mother, my uncle and the law enforcement without them both my the Wilborn-Hickman family are slowly changing those views. “We try hard to counter that negativity. Our job is not an easy job. We have to make decisions that sometimes people view as ruining their lives. It’s not our decision that put them in the position they’re in. We have to react to what the law says. A lot of people feel it’s just personal,” said Chief Hickman. “It’s not always about making arrests. Sometimes there’s officers who will do anything they can to help someone before they arrest someone.” In trying to change the way the community perceives law enforcement, they’ve hosted several events in the community such as National Night Out, Trunk or Treat and Blue Santa. They’ve also completed various community projects in the city. Jennifer is currently working on a partnership and grant with Home Depot to help beautify the city park. Poteet’s Blue Santa program in
the banks of Leon Creek to render assistance to a family who was pinned down in their home by gunfire. Unbeknownst to John and Ernest, they walked straight into an ambush. 3 gunmen armed with shotguns opened fire on the 2 young officers, shooting both of them almost immediately. Both officers were swept off their feet by the force of the shotgun blasts. From a prone position, Ernest Celaya returned fire with a police issue 12 gauge shotgun while John emptied his department issued 357 Magnum at their muzzle flashes. Their fierce barrage of return fire repelled the ambush;
brother and I would probably not be where we are today,” said Smitty. My mother is still living in San Antonio. I will be seeing her on Mother’s Day. My uncle lives in Seguin. His son is a police officer in Karnes City. “He raised three cops,” said Smitty. “His son, my brother and me. He played a big factor.” Smitty is fortunate to have a supportive wife and two daughters because he said the schedule of a police officer is “really, really tough.” “My daughters are in cheer competition and in softball, volleyball and in band,” said Smitty. “Being who we are it makes it really tough. Not able to make it to every event. 2015 provided over 250 children with Christmas gifts. With the kindness of several people in the community, they were able to make sure every child received a gift. “We ran out of gifts for the older kids. So, I took down the name and number of every child and went to buy extra gifts,” said Jennifer. Helping people and giving back to their community is of the utmost importance to them all. If there’s anything they’d like the community to know about them, is they’re always willing to help. “To be able to walk away knowing you did everything you could for that individual-it’s about making a difference in the community. It’s rewarding when someone tells you thank you or tells you to be safe out there, it means a lot that they have respect for us,” said Devon.
Hope for Poteet With the city of Poteet
for now. They were still pinned down in total darkness, bleeding profusely from gunshot wounds. With freshly reloaded weapons, they radioed for help. Officer Pat Reyes, in what has to be one of the bravest acts in law enforcement history, drove a patrol car into the battle zone and retrieved both wounded officers and ferried them to safety. Officer Reyes, a Poteet native, later received a commendation for his heroic actions. The body armor worn by Ernest Celaya that night had absorbed much of the blast. He was released from the hospital within the next couple of days. John’s stay was longer. He had a shotgun pellet lodger near his eye and
Even holidays we are not there. The girls are getting to where they understand what we do and how important it is.” He said the biggest compliment came recently. “Even my daughter now says, ‘I want to be who you are’. It feels good to know even with the fact that I have missed a lot that she says ‘I want to follow in your footsteps’,” said Smitty. “I have been doing this job for 10 years and they are now in 6th and 7th grade. So I missed a lot. It is amazing for them to look at me and say, ‘Dad, we understand.’ “To have children that are proud of who we are and what we do is truly awesome,” said Smitty. well on its way to improvement and moving forward with various plans, Chief Hickman wants to see the community prosper. “The Poteet community is getting stronger and their confidence is building in our police department. We can’t do this on our own. We need the community’s help to do that. It’s been a slow process but we’ve made progress. We’re doing things that have never been done,” said Chief Hickman. A citizen’s patrol program has already been approved for the Poteet community that they hope will garner volunteers and more community involvement. In the future, they hope to move into a bigger and better building to accommodate the size of their force. They’d like to thank God, the Mayor of Poteet, Poteet City Council, local businesses and the Poteet community for its continued support.
Pleasanton Express | Wednesday, May 11, 2016
it required surgery. John lost 20% of the vision in his right eye that night. While others may have called it quits after such a horrific incident, he didn’t. He returned to full duty as soon as he could. Ernest Celaya did the same. My brother was fortunate enough to retire from the San Antonio Police Department after serving the citizens of San Antonio for 22 years. He retired in 2005, some 17 years after answering a call for service at the 600 block of Keitha Street. John walks around today with several shotgun pellets still lodged in his face. He made a full recovery. He represents those of us who can only dream about retirement, well. He lives life on his terms and
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when he was 17 or 18 and was at the Cowboy Homecoming dances behind Ricks Co. and saw the officers working the area he knew that he wanted to pursue that profession. He started dispatching for Sheriff Tommy Williams and shortly after he started, he joined the Law Enforcement Academy. In September of 1975 he graduated from the academy. He remembered that he could buy a pistol at 19 but he couldn’t buy ammunition. So his father had to buy his ammunition at Fred Krause’s Supply. He went to work as a reserve officer for the City of Jourdanton and rode with David Bradshaw and Clifton Lott. “I learned more in those 15 months riding with David Bradshaw than I probably ever learned,” said Soward. Tommy Williams hired him on January 1, 1977 as a dispatcher. There weren’t very many deputy positions open at the time and after three and a half years, Sheriff Williams created a seventh position and Soward was assigned to the Leming, Verdi and Loire area of the county in May of 1980. Within a year, he worked his first capital murder case. Tony Gonzales was murdered at his Exxon station in Leming. In 1984, he was promoted to Assistant Chief Deputy and in 1986 became the first Criminal Investigator for Atascosa County. Six months later, Chief Deputy Freddie Ogden became County Commissioner and Soward was then promoted to that position. He held the Chief Deputy title for 26 years. During this time, he was appointed by District Attorney Alger Kendall, as the 81st Judicial District Narcotics Task Force for four years. Though he made a lot of good cases, he stepped down, realizing that his duties as Chief Deputy were being neglected. Some of his highlights in his career were catching the two guys that killed Mr. Gonzales. It was a huge satisfaction. An undercover drug bust in 1986 was another defining moment for the Sheriff. At the time, it was unprecedented - 68 people were arrested and there was a 98 percent conviction rate. “A number of homicide cases that have been solved over the years and to be able to see the victims’ and family members’ faces when we tell them we got them was also rewarding,” said Soward. Some of the worst times included Tommy Shearrer’s murder. The Sheriff grows a bit silent when the inevitable
rarely speaks about what happened that night. God blessed me and my family by not calling John home that night. My family is forever indebted to Pat Reyes for having the intestinal fortitude to set aside his fears and drive straight into a battle zone at risk of life and limb to save his fellow officers. I have often said every day I pin on the badge it is in honor of those officers who have given their lives serving their communities. I also do it in honor of my brother John. I’ve always looked up to my only brother. He is the reason I’m a police officer today. Mark Stephenson, Thomas Monse Terry Miller END OF WATCH October 12, 1999 Lest We Forget
mention of the ambush that occurred that fateful night on October 12, 1999. “Nothing compared in my career to that. You know, every other case I worked, I was able to set aside all personal feelings and just be the lawman investigating this crime and trying to find a bad guy. This was too personal and too devastating to all of us,” said the Sheriff. When he heard that Trooper Terry Miller had called in that officers were down for two of the county deputies, Thomas Monse and Mark Stephenson and no one had heard back from the trooper, he left to go the site. He couldn’t get an answer on which road to come in - Corgey or Coughran Roads - and arrived minutes after the shooter had left his position. His left side of his vehicle was exposed to where Louis Tudyk, Wendell Munson, Archie Peña and Carl Fisher had all been shot at as well. They later found shell casings just 30 yards from where Soward had been.“Thoughts played over and over of what we could have done and found out there was nothing we could have done differently except choosing not to go on the call and that was not an option,” said Soward. “I’ll correct people and correct them real quick, when they say that it’s part of the job - no, getting shot, getting killed is not part of the job. It’s not in the job description anywhere. Of course it’s a risk of the job,” said the Sheriff. David’s wife, Frances, was giving their one-yearold son a bath when he got the call. The Sheriff says his son remembers him telling them what was going on. “I’m lucky that I came home,” said the choked up Sheriff. The Sheriff is looking forward to his second term. “I love being Sheriff. It is very rewarding and I was ready for the challenge,” he said. “I have an awesome staff and the Commissioners’ Court plus the great economy allowed them to be good to us. You can’t be a good Sheriff if you don’t hire good people,” he continued. He was quick to point out that if you wanted to give him a pat on the back, do it because he hired good people that could carry out policies and procedures. Both brothers had hoped that they could have been in office at the same time. “It just didn’t work out,” said the older brother Gary. Both mentioned their nephew, Marty Soward, who had been a DPS Trooper, too. The blood runs blue in this family and hopefully for many more years.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
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Pleasanton Express
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LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION | 11D
LADIES IN BLUE
JPD | COURTESY PHOTO
Diego Valdez, 10 yrs. old.
Cheyenne Swick, 12 yrs. old
I knew when...
The way police officers can help the citizens and protect the community at the same time is what inspired me to become a police officer. I was six years old when I decided to become a police officer. I was quite clear about either becoming a police officer or flying fighter jets. Matthew Sanchez Jr. and Elijah Sanchez, my two sons, are my greatest influence in pursuing my career in law enforcement. I want my sons to be able to look up to me and see that I am making a difference. Originally from San Antonio I currently live in Poteet and attended McCollum High School in San Antonio. I am a Reserve Police Officer for the Poteet Police Department. Matthew Sanchez Poteet Reserve Police Officer
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My name is Eric Kaiser, I am the Chief of Police of the Jourdanton Police Department. I was interested in the law enforcement profession from a very young age. Some of my earliest memories include a family friend and neighbor who was a Sheriff’s Deputy and K-9 handler. I still remember his black German Shepherd, “Baron.” We had two other neighbors on our street that were officers for the police department and I recall how impressed I always seemed to be at how they carried themselves and went about helping our community. As I became an adult my interests wandered and I questioned what the best career path might be for me, but one day met a San Antonio police officer who I would frequently run into near my home and we would often speak to each other. When I mentioned my childhood idea of being a police officer, he would constantly push me to chase that dream. When we would speak every couple of weeks, he would ask when I was going to get serious about putting on a badge. I attended the San Antonio College Law Enforcement Training Academy to obtain my Basic Peace Officer Certification. I was born in Florida, but now have set my roots in Atascosa County, Texas. Eric Kaiser Jourdanton Police Department Chief
Did you know? The City of Jourdanton hired its first female police officer 24 years ago. Pictured are two current female Jourdanton Police Department officers. Officer Mari Magana not only patrols the streets but as a Field Training Officer mentors new members of the JPD team. Officer Tina Egelston is a School Resource Officer assigned to Jourdanton ISD campuses. Thanks to our Ladies In Blue for their dedication to keeping Jourdanton safe. #LadiesInBlue
Living in San Antonio and seeing an increase in crime in my neighborhood and how it came to effect my own family personally and wishing I was able to make a difference in the lives of my children and their friends was a big part of my becoming a police officer. I tried to join the San Antonio Police Department when I left the military in my twenties and had passed all the tests but my vision at the time failed me. In the past decade I have worked a number of years in security but I was limited in the scope of my duties where I worked. When my son’s friends talked about becoming police officers, this got me thinking about it again. Hoping to realize my former dream, I attended both the jailer’s academy at AACOG and the police academy at San Antonio College eventually getting on with the Poteet Police Department. I was 23 when I tried out for the SAPD, 52 when I started the jailer’s academy and 60 when I started at the police academy. My children were my greatest influence on pursuing my career in law enforcement. They continue to inspire me. I am originally from San Antonio and attended South San Antonio High School. I currently live in a rural area outside of Poteet and I am a Patrolman for the Poteet Police Department and IT Support. Robert Tarin Poteet Patrolman & IT Support
12D | LAW ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL SECTION Pleasanton Express | Wednesday, May 11, 2016