DALLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

Oct/Nov 2014 HIGHLIGHTS

Volume 14 Number 07

Behind The

BADGE

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

FROM THE SHERIFF

Pictured: Some of the many members of the Kids and Cops program during the 2014 State Fair trading card

signing event.

The latest Kids & Cops program participants have stayed busy this fall. In Octo-

ber, 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.

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 chil-

dren’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

In the Community

Stay Informed:

Dallas.Sheriff.Dept

@dallas_sheriff

www.dallas-sheriff.com

Volume 14 Number 07 Page 2

Kids & Cops in the Community

State Fair of Texas

Volume 14 Number 07 Page 3

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, Park-

land 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 recog-

nized 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 Span-

ish 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 Service Officer Laressa Hall, from the

West Tower was awarded the 2014 Detention In-

structor 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 Meth-

odist Church.

Pictured: Chief Deputy Blaise Mikulewicz, DSO Laressa Hall and Lana Presley during the awards reception on Oc-

tober 23, 2014.

Dallas County Employee of the Month Honors

Detention Instructor of the Year Award Recipient

Volume 14 Number 07 Page 4

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)

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.

Fall High School Interns

Digital Government Award

Volume 14 Number 07 Page 5

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 Tex-as’ 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 commit-ment to public service continues as a servant leader to the citizens of Dallas County.

This fall, the Dallas County Sheriff’s

Department partnered with the Dallas

Police Department to host a law en-

forcement course focused on the citi-

zens’ 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 po-

lice agencies, as well as, an analysis

and update on the most recent cases

and court rulings dealing with these

issues.

Mickey H. Osterreicher, general coun-

sel for the National Press Photographers Association, discussed the right of the press and the public to photo-

graph 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.

Latina Living Legend Award Recipient

Addressing the First and Fourth Amendment Rights

Volume 14 Number 07 Page 6

Congratulations to Captain Mark A. Howard on his recent retirement after serving the department in several ca-

pacities 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!

Captain Mark Howard Retires

Volume 14 Number 07

Announcements

Captured moments around the department:

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.

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 hy-giene kits for the veter-ans. DSO Garcia also makes wooden toys he do-nates to homeless and un-der served children.

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

Dallas County Sheriff’s Department

133 N. Riverfront Blvd. LB-31

Dallas, Texas 75207-4313

Page 7

For submission of a newsletter item:

Carmen.Castro@dallascounty.org

For the latest updates:

www.dallas-sheriff.com

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 Ser-vices.

October 31, 2014: Bobby Glen Wilson, son of former Dep-uty Ruby Wilson passed away.

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

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

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

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

November 19, 2014: Dakota Watson, son of Deputy Der-rell Watson, Civil Warrants, passed away.

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

The 2014 Veterans

Day Parade.

Volume 14 Number 07 Page 8

Volume 14 Number 07 Page 9