Sheriff Message

Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez

Members from all over HCSO participated in various Back To School events as summer came to a close.

School supplies drives like these not only help the community, but also give our teammates an opportunity to get to know our greatest partners…YOU.

Without the collaboration of our community partners, we can’t accomplish our mission.

Thank you to all the volunteers and donors who contributed to local Back to School Drives this summer!

HCSO Homeland Security Bureau Makes History with Battleship Texas

In the early hours of August 31st, the USS Texas started a historic journey from San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site to its new home in Galveston.

The battleship was the only battleship in the US Navy to survive both World War ne and World War Two. She was also the first ship retired by the Navy for a memorial or museum function.

The USS Texas, or Battleship Texas as many call her, made the slow journey in order to receive necessary repairs and renovations. Alongside the US Coast Guard. the HCSO Marine Unit proudly escorted the USS Texas the entire way.

Great job to our Marine Unit and other supporting units who were there to take part in such a historic day.

Hispanic Heritage Month

We had a great time at #HispanicHeritageMonth Fiesta Mexicana event at the ION District.

Members from our Project Guardian/Lifesaver program along with UNIDOS were there to connect and educate community members on available resources.

For info on more of our programs, visit www.harriscountycit.org.

Later in the month, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and other teammates participated in Aldine ISD’s Hispanic Heritage Month School Program giving us a chance to connect with many students and youth in our community.

You’ve Been Promoted!

Congratulations to all our teammates who promoted this summer!

HCSO is a big operation, and everyone has an important role. This makes promotion season is a great time for new learning and new opportunities.

Air Force Birthday Celebration

Our Military Liaison hosted a birthday celebration for the United States Air Force in September with help from our Academy staff, Air Operations Section and community members.

HCSO Major Whitaker, Air Force Veteran himself, renewed our partnership with ESGR ensuring continued support from HCSO to our teammates currently serving in the Guard and Reserve Service.

Taco – With – A – Cop

The HCSO UNIDOS team hosted a food truck gathering to engage with the community, provide them with crime prevention tips and to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

Thank you to all who came out to share resourceful information and to all the amazing food trucks who participated!

We are very grateful that BakerRipley opened their doors for this event!

Citizen’s Police Academy

Every year, the Sheriff’s Office hosts a Citizens’ Police Academy for residents to learn about the inner workings of our agency. This is the first year we have hosted a class for the deaf and hard of hearing community.

After five weeks of training, our students are ready to celebrate their graduation. The academy featured high-quality, interactive courses led by divisions across our agency. The curriculum covered several relevant topics: patrol and traffic enforcement, 911 and non-emergency communication, homicide investigations, cybercrime safety, mental health and wellness, animal education and laws, jail procedures, and internal affairs investigations.

In the Community

Earlier this summer, a local citizen was lost in a wooded area after becoming disoriented.

Her beloved dog Max, stayed by her side without food or water nor was he leashed.

After three days, he was able to alert first responders to their location and was rescued.

Today, Max and his owner are recovered and doing well.

Members of the community and our K9 Unit gathered to honor Max as the first ever Honorary HCSO K9.

Welcome to the HCSO Family K9 Max!

Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez

We kicked off July with celebrations throughout Harris County!

Teammates and residents enjoyed 4th of July Parades in communities like Kingwood and Lindale Park, providing a chance to celebrate independence and unity.

As we look back on a great month, we look forward to a new Back to School Season ahead.

You’ve Been Promoted!

We are very proud of the dedicated team members in our Detentions Team who promoted in July.

These individuals have worked hard to improve their knowledge and skills, and promote within the Detentions Profession.

We are so proud of our Detention Officers and the outstanding work they do.

National Tattoo Day

Our agency is nothing without our outstanding and diverse teammates.

Our Tattoo policy reflects such appreciation, making National Tattoo Day a fun celebration.

Tip-A-Cop for a Cause

This annual fundraiser was held at two great locations across Harris County. HCSO Teammates partnered with Texas Roadhouse and Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise funds for Special Olympics Texas athletes.

The funds raised from these events go directly to Special Olympics Texas, a year-round movement that provides sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Safety Resources

As summer is coming into its last month, remember these key safety tips and resources.

Click the links below for more information.

Look Before You Lock

Water Safety Tips

Roadside Assistance in Harris County: MAP Units, Call 713-CALL-MAP (713-225-5627)

In the Community

Give your kids a safe place to learn and enjoy the last bit of summer!

Our HCSO PAL Program is great way to get involved with activities ranging from baseball to movie events.

It’s time for Kickball! You are invited to attend the Harris County Sheriff’s Office vs Starbucks Kickball Match on August 31st at Bayland Park.

This is a free event, come out and cheer us on. All attendees will get a chance to be entered into a raffle for a Starbucks Gift Basket benefiting the HCSO PAL program.

If your neighborhood is not registered for this year’s National Night Out, the registration deadline is September 16th, 2022. Please visit this link to download the registration form.

Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez

As June is upon us, so is the official start of summer. We have many things to celebrate this month as an agency and individuals.

Recognitions like Pride Month, Juneteenth and Flag Day are all opportunities to bring unity and fellowship to our community. Together, we are always stronger.

We must also recognize the sorrows and tragedies that occurred in our nation this month. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of those lost in Uvalde.

June Celebrations

As an agency, we celebrated multiple occasions this month.

Notably, this included Pride Month and Juneteenth.

Through parades and community events, ours teams enjoyed meeting all the new faces and familiar smiles.

Father’s Day, Flag Day, Women’s Veterans Day and the US Army Birthday were also among the celebrations.

End of Watch: Ride to Remember

Members of the National End of Watch Ride, came through Harris County to honor our four teammates lost in the Line of Duty during 2021.

Families and teammates of these heroes, gathered at our Training Academy to receive the riders in a moment of remembrance.

Recidivism Reduction Initiatives

We have multiple programs throughout our detention centers designed to reduce the chances of seeing an inmate in our system after they are released.

This month, we had graduates complete their In2Work program.

In partnership with Houston ISD’d Community Service School, one young woman earned her high school diploma. She wants to become a nurse one day and help others.

Programs like these are vital in preparing the men and women in our detention centers to return to life in the community.

Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez

Once again, we are faced with deep loss.

Deputy Robert Adam Howard was serving his community when he was involved in a vehicle accident that tragically took his life.

He is survived by his wife, their two children, as well as many friends and family.

We will never understand why things happen the way they do or when they do, but we do know one thing.

Our family of blue will continue to stand behind the Families of our Fallen Officers. We will always remember their courage and dedication to serving our community.

Gone But Never Forgotten.

National Police Week

Honoring the Fallen of 2021

This year, teammates and family members of Fallen Officers traveled to Washington D.C. to honor the service, dedication and sacrifice of four brave men.

It is important as we look to the future, we must also never forget those that came before us.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office Teammates lost in the Line of Duty during 2021:

• Detention Officer Robert Perez
• Deputy Shaun Waters
• Deputy Alexander Gwosdz
• Deputy Joshua Sieman

National Correction Officers and Employee Appreciation Week

This month we celebrated our dedicated teammates who work as correction officers or as support teams in the jail.

We celebrated with cake, lunch and employee resources to honor our outstanding teammates.

Thank you all for what you do!

Military Appreciation Luncheon

May is Military Appreciation Month. May also holds multiple military holidays like Armed Forced Day.

To celebrate, our Office of Military Relations hosted a luncheon for our veteran teammates and those still serving in the Armed Forces.

We value our military service men and women who have chosen to continue their life of service here in Harris County.

Connecting in Our Community

Members of our Community Engagement Team are always doing just that, engaging with citizens in the Harris County community.

Throughout the month, teams have participated in numerous events diligently working to connect with and educate within our communities.

Just to name a few, Deputy M. Rivers attended the Harmony School of Advancement Senior’s Career Day, and 5Deputy L. Blanco joined the Sunshine Kids Foundation celebration in honor of National Police Week.

These are just a small example of what it means to serve your community.

To catch our team in action, make sure you follow our social media platforms!

Honoring Memorial Day

Flags 4 Heroes

Our Office of Military Relations hosted the 2nd Annual Flags 4 Heroes Event at the Houston National Cemetery. Each year the goal doubles, bringing this years total to almost 2,000 flags.

Teammates and community members placed flags on the graves to honor their service and say their names. As tradition goes, a loved one can never truly die so long as you keep their memory alive.

Thank you to the many people who came out and participated.