Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez – Living up To the Uniform and Badge
On Thursday, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office welcomed 60 new deputies to our Sheriff’s Office family. The graduation ceremony – and each cadet’s pledge to our sacred oath of office – culminated in resilience, teamwork, and a passion to serve others.
The HCSO academy training lays the foundation for a deputy’s 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 1,211 hours of curriculum, ranging from classroom instruction and firearms training to simulations, emergency vehicle operations, and patrol training. The training topics included critical crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, tactical communications, and the Texas Penal Code.
The camaraderie built over the past 42 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.
Valedictorian Deputy Adan Del Fierro feels the Class of B1-2023 is a big family. They have worked, laughed, sweated, and even cried together. The teamwork that this class has demonstrated is unreal. “This has been the best experience of my life so far with sound, ethical, and determined people,” said Valedictorian Deputy Del Fierro. “We need to build trust between our community one person at a time, and I will make every interaction count.”
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 have 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.
The B1-2023 Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) is a diverse class, with 31% being women, and reflects the inclusivity and strength of our law enforcement community. We have cadets from all over Texas, California, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Vietnam, and Turkey.
The class motto is “Here I Am, Send Me.” It reflects a readiness and willingness to serve and respond to a call of duty. The new deputies are committed and ready to take on responsibilities, even in challenging or demanding situations. The motto encapsulates the spirit of service and a commitment to protecting and serving the community.
“This was not an easy course, academically, for these cadets. We lost cadets due to academic failure, so those who have earned their badge earned it,” said HCSO Academy Deputy/Instructor Jessica L. Leggett. “Cadets put time outside of class in study sessions, whether with other cadets outside of the academy or staying at the academy until 7:00 p.m., some nights studying with a counselor.”
Cadets are put through countless scenarios during their training in the BPOC. These scenarios range from a virtual reality training simulator to force-on-force training, where simulation weapons are used during training. They successfully navigated Active Shooter scenarios, Officer Down scenarios, Mental Health scenarios, Family Violence scenarios, Building Entry scenarios, Use of Force scenarios, and many others.
“B1-2023 achieved a 98% first-time pass rate on their TCOLE licensing exam, which means 59 out of 60 cadets passed their 250-question state exam on the first try. This is a huge accomplishment, especially for a class of this size,” said Instructor Leggett.
The class completed two 5-mile fun runs. This distance is not easy to get to without putting in hard work during physical training sessions.
“The most memorable moment I had in this academy would be the five-mile obstacle course run with the command staff. We were paired up in groups of two. Deputy Martinez and I were able to finish second place,” said Deputy Del Fierro. “Once we finished, we caught up to the person at the end of the run, and we encouraged him to keep running. Deputy Martinez and I ended up running the course twice. I had never run or pushed myself to run so much in my life. This run showed me that I can achieve more than I ever thought I could.”
At the podium on Thursday, I challenged the new deputies to handle each call and assignment with pride. They must have a servant leader’s heart even on their most difficult days.
We would like to acknowledge all the HCSO Academy Instructors, especially Sgt. Jose Lopez for leading the class. His leadership skills were the driving force behind the success of the cadets in this class. He motivated, inspired, and kept them engaged at all times. We owe the success of this class largely to him.
Now, a challenge to our brothers and sisters in blue who came before them: Guide them. Mentor them. Show them how to always honor the badge you wear and carry as a symbol of public faith and trust.
Once again, congratulations to the Sheriff’s Office’s new Basic Peace Officer Course graduates! Your dedication and hard work have led you to this significant achievement. As you embark on your journey in law enforcement, may you carry the values of integrity, professionalism, and community service with you.
As you take on the responsibilities of a peace officer, always prioritize the well-being of the community you serve. Building trust, practicing empathy, and fostering positive relationships with the public are integral to effective law enforcement.
Wishing you a successful and fulfilling career ahead. Stay vigilant, stay dedicated, and make a positive impact on the lives of those you serve. Congratulations on reaching this milestone, and thank you for your commitment to public service.
We are proud of them and wish them well. They are the Pride of Texas.
Watch: B1-2023 Basic Peace Officer Course Graduation Ceremony
Arctic Blast Brought Freezing Temperatures to Harris County
The end of the week and higher temperatures could not have come soon enough. Harris County residents endured an arctic blast, and we are incredibly proud of our Sheriff’s Office teammates and the Harris County maintenance professionals who always do the job in the most challenging conditions. We appreciate their dedication to serving others and all that they do.
Our teammates adjusted their schedules to ensure around-the-clock coverage. We appreciate the dedication of all HCSO teammates.
As overpasses, bridges, and roadways were covered in ice, our patrol deputies and traffic investigators worked in these extreme conditions – reporting and blocking dangerous roadways, ramps, and freeway lanes; leading traffic safety and enforcement efforts and investigating crashes; performing proactive high visibility patrol efforts; and working collaboratively with area agencies on a wide range of public safety efforts.
Our Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) assisted those without housing with blankets, jackets, and transportation to emergency warming centers to stay warm and safe. Some other teammates attended warming centers and assisted with maintaining our resident’s safety.
Between Sunday, January 14, 2024, in the morning and Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in the afternoon, the HCSO HOT Team visited 115 locations and made 92 contacts. They transported five residents to shelters, provided five sleeping bags, 23 blankets and clothing, 33 pairs of socks, seven beanie hats, 15 hygiene kits, 53 meals-ready-to-eat (MRE), and 38 bottles of water.
Our Emergency Dispatch Center call takers are usually the first point of contact when a Harris County resident requires immediate assistance from law enforcement, medical, or fire personnel. They determine a caller’s needs and route the emergency call to the appropriate dispatcher. We are grateful for the collaboration of our partners who plalyed an active role in the activation of the Emergency Operations Center and Houston Transtar. During these trying times, we’re incredibly grateful for their service.
Thanks to all who heeded the call to stay home and keep the roads clear for emergency personnel and crews. Our hearts go out to each of you. We pray everyone keeps warm and safe.
WATCH: Help Combat Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking is a pervasive issue that affects communities worldwide, and we believe that awareness is a crucial step towards prevention.
On January 11, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office honored National Human Trafficking Awareness Day with a Facebook Live. We raised awareness and shared valuable information. If you missed the live, please click here to watch it. To learn more about what we can do to combat Human Trafficking, read our newsletter.
HCSO In The News
A Harris County sheriff’s deputy and two other men are recovering in area hospitals after they were struck by a work truck that drove through a crash scene on I-10 East Freeway on Thursday morning, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Gonzalez described it as a “very scary situation.”
The 38-year-old deputy is said to be in serious but fair condition and she is expected to survive her injuries. Gonzalez said she has at least one broken bone and other injuries to her legs, but she is alert in the hospital.
While seeing a significant drop in homicides and other violent crimes in 2023, Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported jumps in aggravated assaults, robberies and fatal traffic crashes, preliminary data shows.
The sheriff’s office’s numbers also included an uptick in the number of fatalities in vehicle crashes from 163 in 2022 to 191 in 2023. Jason Spencer, chief of staff with the office, said they were concerned about aggressive drivers.
The Harris County Sexual Assault Response Team released a report on Wednesday regarding sexual assault cases in the county and to make recommendations on how officials can improve how they respond to these incidents.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 3,779 sexual assaults were reported in Harris County in 2021. HAWC said this number is not the best representation of how many cases there are because less than 10% of sexual assaults are reported to police.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
On January 9, 2024, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office honored National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. We thank those who bravely serve and protect our community. We are grateful for their unwavering dedication and service. Thank you for everything you do!
HCSO Coffee with a Recruiter
Join Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at the HCSO Coffee with a Recruiter on Saturday, January 20, 2024, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Starbucks at 2521 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, TX 77056.
We are hiring Detention Officers, Communication Officers, Deputy Cadets, Lateral Deputies, and other positions. For more information, visit HCSOJobs.com or call 713-877-5250.
When: January 20, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Starbucks at 2521 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, TX 77056
HCSO Teammate of the Week
Harris County Sheriff’s Office Teammate of the Week: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and HCSO highlight exceptional teammates who serve others above and beyond their duties. We receive positive emails, thank you notes and phone calls from the community regularly.
“I want to commend Deputy J. Ajayi. He pulled me over on New Year’s Eve because I was inadvertently weaving due to looking at a message on my phone. He treated me with courtesy and respect. However, he screened me for being intoxicated. I had not been drinking and informed him of that upon being pulled over. I understand that he had to ensure that I was in a position where I could drive safely,” said a Harris County resident. “I appreciated him keeping our roads safe and the professionalism and courtesy he extended me throughout the process.”
Deputy Jonathan Ajayi joined HCSO nine years ago as a Psychiatrist Technician in the HCSO Mental Health Unit in the Harris County Jail. In 2018, he became a licensed peace officer. Currently, he serves as a DWI Investigator in the Vehicular Crimes Division.
HCSO Stands Against Sexual Assault
On January 10, 2024, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office joined the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) and community partners to raise awareness about sexual assault and to advocate for every person’s right to feel safe.
The Sexual Assault Response Team is a collaboration that brings together law enforcement, victim advocates, and other key stakeholders to provide comprehensive support to survivors of sexual assault.
We encourage anyone who may be experiencing abuse to reach out to us at 911 or 713-221-6000. Together, we can end sexual assault and make a difference.
Help Investigators Identify a Suspect Wanted for a Road Rage Shooting
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crime Investigators are releasing a composite sketch of a suspect wanted for the road rage shooting of a man in north Harris County. On December 14, 2023, at approximately 5 a.m., deputies were dispatched to 191 West Rd. Upon arrival, deputies found a 37-year-old male who had received a gunshot wound to his head.
The male advised he was involved in a road rage incident with a white 2007-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 4-door pickup. As they traveled along the southbound main lanes of Interstate 45 near the Rankin Rd exit, the man said the suspect in the pickup truck pulled up alongside him and shot at him, striking him in the head. The victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition and remained alert and awake.
The driver is described as a white male, 40 to 50 years of age, with a full beard and mustache. He was wearing a distinctive baseball cap that said veterans with small badges on it.
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the HCSO Violent Crime unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
