Author: HCMUD 150

Our Sheriff’s Office family came together on Wednesday to celebrate Deputy Joshua Sieman’s life. We were joined by his loved ones and our extended law enforcement family at the Roman Forest Police Department to remember a great man and remarkable public servant.

The tributes to Deputy Sieman were an uplifting reminder that one person can make a difference. He embodied all the values you want in a peace officer.

He knew early on he wanted to earn the badge and wear the uniform. He completed basic peace officer training at Lone Star College where he learned about the criminal justice system and paved the way to fulfill his dreams.
Deputy Sieman began his law enforcement career with the Roman Forest Police Department in 2012. His eagerness to get the job done carried over to our agency.

He joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2016 and was assigned to the evening shift in Patrol District 5 in northwest Harris County. He quickly became known for his persistence and relentless examination of all aspects of the crime.

Persistent Police Work

Last year, when we launched Crime Reduction Units in each of our five patrol districts, he was selected to serve as a team member of this specialized unit.

The mission of the Crime Reduction Unit, also known as CRU, is to ensure the safety of residents through proactive operations and investigations that target high crime areas.

CRUs also participate in agency-wide and multi-agency initiatives to combat a range of public safety issues.

 

Deputy Sieman’s teammates said he had a knack for investigations and always took the extra steps. He invested the time. He studied the small details. He compared timelines, stolen items, and suspects. For Deputy Sieman, the vigorous search for justice mattered – whether it involved one stolen vehicle or uncovered an organized theft ring.

It wasn’t uncommon for his work on one investigation to lead to another case. When there was an uptick in vehicle and trailer thefts in his patrol district, he took a closer look at the reports, spoke with the victims, and found a pattern.

The months-long investigation led to the arrest of several suspects, many with extensive criminal histories and gang affiliations. His dedication also recovered numerous stolen vehicles, trailers, tools, and equipment.

This is who Deputy Sieman was. He made it his personal goal to solve cases and provide closure for victims. He was the type of peace officer that we, as a community, want and need.

Hurricane Harvey

Deputy Sieman was also part of our agency’s High Water Rescue Team.

These critical team members have completed rigorous swift water training. And they set up and support emergency response and rescue operations during extreme weather events.

We’ll never forget Hurricane Harvey’s destruction and devastation. He rode through our communities on a high-water rescue vehicle through it all.

Endless Love for His Family and Job

At the center of his world were his wife and son. They were his life anchor. His greatest assignment of all was being a father.

Please continue to pray for Deputy Sieman’s family, Patrol District 5 teammates, and the countless lives he touched. We honor his memory by striving to match his devotion and sense of pride in our profession.

Take a moment today to visit our memorial site where we honor our fallen heroes.

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This week left communities across our region and country anguished and shaken. Many wondered how anyone could hurt the most vulnerable, the ones who rely on us to care for them and provide them with the love, support, and sense of security to be happy and thrive.

An 8-year-old’s death put a national spotlight on child abuse and shed further light on the extent of the incomprehensible things endured by him and his siblings.

There aren’t many jobs in our agency that are tougher than those involving abused children. These incidents are horrific, heartbreaking cases of abuse and neglect. And they involve the most innocent and defenseless among our community.

On Sunday, our patrol deputies and investigators responded to a gruesome child abandonment case. For many agency veterans, it was the most disturbing scene they worked in their entire law enforcement career. It seemed too horrific to be real.

Our investigators immediately began piecing together what happened and trying to unfold a seemingly senseless murder of a child who was supposed to be loved and cared for. And they began trying to understand the unspeakable living conditions of the dead child’s siblings who were left alone for months to fend for each other.

On Wednesday, investigators from our Homicide Unit and Crimes Against Children Unit stood in solidarity to share updates on the ongoing investigation and our continued commitment to these children.

“Child murders are methodical investigations – our end goal is to see justice is served,” said Homicide Sgt. Dennis Wolfford, who oversees a team of six homicide investigators close to the case.

We must work tirelessly as child safety advocates to protect our community’s most precious asset. And we must work as a team. We rely on community members to report abuse and keep our children safe when they see the signs of a child in need.

Signs of abuse aren’t always obvious, but they are often there if you know where to look. We are asking every adult in our community to help. Take actionable steps to create safer environments for the children in your life:

Prevention Through Education Is Key

• If you see something, say something. Reporting suspicions of child abuse can save a life, prevent further victimization, or stop more children from being victimized.
• Talk to your children. Start the conversation early and continue the discussion throughout their upbringing.
• Learn how to recognize and report child abuse. Education and training are our best defense against those who harm children.
• Spread the message. Tell your neighbors and loved ones how they, too, can do their part to keep our children safe in a real and virtual world.

Our partners at The Children’s Assessment Center offer free training and resources on the signs and symptoms of child abuse. These experts provide high-quality care so children can thrive. Their work embodies the sentiment: “No future should be out of reach.”

Register for Darkness to Light Training

“In the midst of this darkness, I’m glad the eldest of the siblings reached out for help,” said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

“I’m glad he found assistance at the end of the other line through one of our dedicated call takers. And I find comfort in knowing that when he opened the door, Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies were there to give them the care and protection they needed for so long. And that’s what law enforcement does every day – finding people during their darkest moments.”

And while the work of our Sheriff’s Office specialized units is always essential, it is especially critical during a crisis. The disruption brought on by the pandemic made our children even more susceptible to abuse. Some of those traditional safety nets have been removed with children not regularly attending schools, daycares, and after-school programs.

We have a shared responsibility and commitment to ensure every child lives a life free from abuse. If you’re concerned about a child in your life, call us at 713-221-6000. If you want to remain anonymous, report tips to Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS.

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In Harris County, we work as a team to protect our communities. On Tuesday, we stood alongside the U.S. Marshals Service and other public safety partners at the city, state, and federal levels to announce the successful outcome of a violent crime reduction initiative called Operation Triple Beam.

The multi-agency operation spanned 10 weeks, from July 19 through Sept. 24, and resulted in 471 arrests, eight missing children recovered, and 95 firearms, 541 kilograms of narcotics, and $421,000 seized. 72 of those arrested were documented gang members.

Operation Triple Beam is a reminder of what we can accomplish together. Our partners at the U.S. Marshals lead a regional fugitive task force, which includes nine Sheriff’s Office deputy investigators and two sergeants.

Collaboration is central to combatting the rise in violence across our communities and bringing those committing the most serious crimes in our neighborhoods to justice. We are proud to be part of this critical partnership and joint law enforcement effort.
It’s going to take everyone. And it’s going to take everything in our toolboxes – from proactive crime prevention initiatives and focused and strategic enforcement efforts to community policing and meaningful partnerships.

 

Stop Human Trafficking

On Thursday, we joined our partners at the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance and the many advocates in our region whose mission is to end human trafficking to support No Trafficking Zone’s Game Over initiative at NRG Park.

NTZ’s founders and partners spoke about the importance of being vigilant in the fight against human trafficking and how important it is that we work together to help survivors and hold offenders accountable. We know Houston is a major hub for all forms of human trafficking, and these crowded venues can be prime targets for human traffickers.

In our latest collective efforts to combat this epidemic that’s often hidden in plain sight, Human Trafficking Unit investigators are attending Houston Texans football games with victim advocates to spot potential traffickers and their victims. NRG staff have been trained to be able to identify possible warning signs of human trafficking and know who to call for help. And signage across NRG Park encourages sports fans to report suspected exploitation.

Collaboration among law enforcement agencies and the community is key to raising awareness of this issue and disrupting human trafficking activity. It’s also a vital component to connecting victims to social service organizations that provide them with critical tools, resources, and support. If you or someone you know might be a victim, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

We Mourn the Passing of Deputy Joshua Sieman

Deputy Joshua Sieman, 39, died early Thursday of Covid-19 complications. Our collective thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Sieman’s grieving family, loved ones, and colleagues.

Deputy Sieman had served with the Sheriff’s Office since 2016. He was assigned to the evening shift in Patrol District 5 in northwest Harris County, where he served as a dedicated member of the Crime Reduction Unit.

The five-year agency veteran began his law enforcement career with the Roman Forest Police Department in 2012 as a reserve police officer and then as a full-time peace officer.

Funeral arrangements for Deputy Sieman are pending. He is survived by his wife and son.

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Events On Saturday

Do you have unused prescription drugs sitting in your medicine cabinet?

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, reducing the potential for abuse of medications.

Sheriff’s Office Collection Sites

The Sheriff’s Office will host three collection sites across the county on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find your nearest participating substation:

• District 2: Humble Substation
  Address: 7900 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble, Texas 77338
  Phone: 281-446-9155
• District 3: Wallisville Substation
  Address: 14350 Wallisville Rd. Houston, Texas 77049
  Phone: 713-455-8050
• District 5: Tomball Substation
  Address: 23828 Tomball Parkway Tomball, Texas 77375
  Phone: 281-290-2100

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On Tuesday, we welcomed 54 new deputies to our Sheriff’s Office family. The graduation ceremony – and each cadet’s pledge to our sacred oath of office – was the culmination of resilience, teamwork, and a passion to serve others.

Our academy training lays the foundation for a deputy’s entire law enforcement career. It equips them with the knowledge, tools, skills, and mindset to carry out our mission and core values.

During their journey, cadets engaged in 1,172 hours of curriculum, ranging from classroom instruction and firearms training to simulations and emergency vehicle operations. The training topics included critical crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, tactical communications, and the Texas Penal Code.
The camaraderie built over the past 31 weeks will last a lifetime. For many, this bond started on day one. Cadets shared personal stories about what led them to the academy – and what motivated them to keep going.

When one cadet recognized he was struggling with the physical fitness training, he took on the challenge and leaned on a deputy to keep him accountable. The pair met on the weekends to train and build his endurance.

For Deputy Instructor Arispe, the most rewarding aspect of the job is the satisfaction she receives from comparing the cadets she met on the first class day to the ones we saw before us on Tuesday evening.

Each one of our newest deputies pursued this profession for a noble reason. They just took different paths to earn the Pride of Texas patch.

Some dreamed of becoming a police officer since they were a kid. Some followed the footsteps of a family member who wore the same uniform. Some served in the military and saw this as the next chapter in their service to our community. Others may have looked at it as a place to help others.

Deputy Kirksey, who served our country in the U.S. Air Force for six years, and is still serving as a reservist, was on the journey to become a peace officer for nearly a decade. Many times, he found himself starting the cadet application process and putting his dream on hold after receiving a deployment assignment. But the new deputy never lost sight of his calling.

Another new deputy said he will never forget the joy he felt at a local toy drive hosted by a police department. He knows being a good peace officer is more than patrolling a neighborhood – it’s investing in the communities you serve; it’s lending a hand to those in need.

We are also inspired by the story of Deputy Nylander who was motivated to serve after witnessing a grueling civil war in his native hometown of Sierra Leone in West Africa. He saw the heroic actions and sacrifices made by those in uniform first-hand.

The class motto is “Respect All, Fear None.” It means embracing people’s differences and perspectives. It means having an open mind and striving to learn from others. We cannot think of a more fitting motto in this pivotal moment.

At the podium on Tuesday, I challenged them to handle each call and assignment with pride. Even on what may be their most difficult days, they must have a servant leader’s heart.

We hope this sentiment about who they are and the difference they can make follows them every shift of their career. They are now preparing to enter field training. Today they are meeting faith-based leaders and learning more about the diverse communities in our county. It’s another crucial step to ensure we’re doing all we can to best serve you.

We are proud of them and wish them well. They are the Pride of Texas.

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