Sheriff Message

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.

Read More…

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.

Read More…

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.

Read More…

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

Read More…