Author: HCMUD 150

As we prepare to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives and within our communities on Thanksgiving Day, I want to start by sharing my deep appreciation for your partnership and contributions to our wonderful county.

I admire our community for its strength, compassion, and commitment to supporting one another. We are a community where neighbors lend a helping hand to those in need, do their part to make it a better place, and band together to build a more caring and safer home. The Sheriff’s Office is glad to have you with us every step of the way.

The Blue Family Thanksgiving

On Tuesday, our Sheriff’s Office teammates joined the Houston Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies and community partners to pack holiday food baskets for families.

The annual tradition, now in its 10th year, is an opportunity to come together to volunteer as an extended family. Volunteers packed about 1,250 turkey dinners.

After the event, some volunteers personally delivered the turkey dinners to families across the region.

Deputy Blanco visited the Villages at Loch Katrine apartments in northwest Harris County, where she shared more information about the Unidos program and other critical services with residents.

Unidos assists Spanish-speaking residents by introducing them to the various ways we serve them and connecting them to resources to meet the community’s needs.

Thanksgiving is a special holiday where we take an extra moment to pause and reflect on what matters most. It’s a holiday with significant meaning for our nation that encourages us to wrap ourselves in gratitude for our family, loved ones, opportunities, and growth.

I also want to thank all our deputies, volunteer reservists, detention officers, dispatchers, medical personnel, and teammates from every corner of our agency who serve us every day with empathy and professionalism. Many sacrifice time with their families to ensure you can celebrate safely with yours. I am grateful to those who will be working on Thanksgiving to keep us safe. I hope you will join me in expressing your gratitude to them and all first responders.

You may have seen a social media post from KHOU with one of our deputies, Deputy Almeida, embracing a baby who was inside a chase suspect’s truck with other children in the early morning hours on Sunday. At around 1:30 a.m., DWI deputy Caudillo observed a truck driving erratically near West Sam Houston Parkway N at Clay Road in west Harris County. When the deputy signaled the driver to pull over, they refused to stop. The brief chase reached speeds up to 100 mph, ending in the suspect exiting the truck in a parking lot carrying an infant.

Deputy Almeida’s heartfelt actions were met by a flood of supportive posts that thanked the deputy for his humanity and compassion during a scary moment. “Beyond good police work, our deputies’ response to a bad situation included taking care of children as if they were their own,” said Lt. Benoit with the Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division. That’s not just a testament to our deputies, it’s Harris County at its best. That’s what so many of you in our community represents.

Let’s keep pushing our world in the right direction. And let us be thankful for our neighbors and the state that we are blessed to call home. Take each day as a gift and fill them with positivity and gratitude. We wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

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On Wednesday, we honored exceptional deputies, detention officers, and teammates for their courage, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to serving their community.

The commendation ceremony reflected the incredible work our team members perform across our agency, day in and day out. I am truly humbled to work alongside phenomenal public servants.

Nearly 140 recipients distinguished themselves through their sacrificial service and heroic acts on duty. Their efforts earned them commendations for bravery, lifesaving efforts, leadership, and a range of good and persistent police work.

Sacred Oath

Many felt they were simply carrying out their duties when they responded to the situations that led them to be recognized Wednesday.

They know the importance of falling back on their training and love for their neighbors. Their swift response and actions are a testament to who they are and what they stand for. They are willing to risk their lives to protect others. For them, the search for justice matters. For them, every life is sacred.

Even on what proved to be some of their most difficult days on the job, they maintained a servant leader’s heart. They were compassionate, especially to those in need. And even beyond these critical incidents, their daily interactions have been powerful and do not go unnoticed. These interactions are the ones that really distinguish us.

Serving Others

When you learn about what earned them an award, it’s truly unbelievable.

They have worked tirelessly through trying months. They consistently reported for duty during a difficult and unprecedented time. And without hesitation, they answered the call.

We also showcased the power of building meaningful partnerships in the community. Partnerships that elevate discussions on mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness. Specifically, an innovative partnership that received national recognition and serves as a force multiplier to our behavioral health training and community-oriented policing approach.

Some of them risked their lives while stopping others from harming themselves.

While patrol deputies talked to a suicidal teenager sitting on an overpass, a sergeant removed him from danger before he could jump. A deputy responded to a call where a man climbed a cell phone tower and planned to take his life. The deputy spoke with the man from a firefighter ladder and talked him down from the tower.

When a vehicle struck a concrete barrier and caught fire, responding deputies used fire extinguishers to suppress the fire and save the entrapped passenger.

Several detention officers performed life-saving measures on an inmate who was found unresponsive in a jail cell.

There are also stories of giving back to the community. A sergeant intervened in an armed robbery at a major retail store when she was shopping for school supplies to donate to children in need. A deputy organized a team for the Texas Ride for Autism and Disability, a 100-mile bike ride to Galveston that fundraised more than ten thousand dollars.

And our teammates stepped in to help our neighbors in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Laura’s destructive path.

Other award recipients performed exemplary work to solve the worst crimes. A deputy investigator worked tirelessly on a missing person case reassigned to the Homicide Unit. The months-long investigation led to the recovery of the missing person’s body and three arrests.

We know that solid police work means collaboration. Our Homicide Unit responds to hundreds of scenes every year. The unit’s murder clearance rate is consistently exceeding the national average.

We extend our sincere gratitude to their families. They know their loved one is performing a vital and sometimes dangerous job. This accomplishment also belongs to them.

We have an opportunity to make an impact every day in our profession. And we serve during a pivotal moment where law enforcement partners at all levels are combating the rise in violence. The pandemic has only underscored the hard work, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe.

Program

We have a tremendous obligation to those we serve. And we show our community what makes the Harris County Sheriff’s Office The Pride of Texas every day.

For the complete list of award recipients, please click here to download the program.

You may also view the photo album from the event.

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We proudly pay tribute to those who have served our country and the many veterans across our agency who continue to serve their communities as public servants. This week, and all year long, we honor these American heroes who have fought and sacrificed for our liberty and freedom.

On Veterans Day, we joined communities from every corner of our great city and nation to show our deep appreciation for their patriotism and willingness to serve. We owe them an enduring debt of gratitude.

American Heroes Parade

On Thursday, we participated in the City of Houston’s American Heroes Parade, an annual tradition to celebrate our local veterans. The public tribute started at City Hall with a ceremony and moment of silence before former and current service members, veteran support organizations, ROTC students, bands, and countless others marched in solidarity.

Houston has one of the largest veteran populations in the nation, with more than 250,000 military veterans calling our region home. Veterans are our neighbors, our colleagues, and our leaders.

We support our team members who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and then answered the call to protect their local communities. Seeing our military veterans work tirelessly every shift puts living a life of service into perspective. We are inspired by their stories and experiences. We are moved by their resiliency and servant leadership.

Veterans Appreciation Day

Our Office of Military Relations hosted a Veterans Appreciation Day event for teammates who selflessly served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

They joined their fellow veterans for cake and fellowship – and a moment to reflect on their sacrifice. Others joined them to share their immense gratitude for the battles – even those well beyond war – they endured for the opportunities we have today.

We empower our veterans and foster a supportive culture for them. We’re grateful for their countless contributions to the Sheriff’s Office. If you’re looking to make a difference, learn more about our career opportunities here. We celebrate them always.

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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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