Sheriff Message

Our entire Sheriff’s Office family is grieving the sudden and heartbreaking loss of our long-time brother, Sgt. Ramon Gutierrez, and the senseless murder of Harris County Precinct 5 Cpl. Charles Galloway during a traffic stop in west Houston. And on Thursday, three Houston Police Department police officers were in stable condition after being shot near Third Ward.

This past week’s tragedies are a stark reminder of the day-to-day dangers police face on the job and the work that still must continue to improve dangerous roadways and gun violence in our communities.

Sgt. Gutierrez, a 20-year agency veteran, was fatally struck by a suspected intoxicated driver while serving as an off-duty motorcycle escort for an oversized load in northeast Harris County.

Sgt. Gutierrez was a supervisor in the Vehicular Crimes Division. He joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2002 and previously served as a detention officer, patrol deputy, and accident investigator.

On Thursday evening, we came together for a candlelight vigil outside East Aldine District in honor of his memory. Sgt. Gutierrez’s profound impact on the Sheriff’s Office was evident in the many anecdotes shared there.

The untimely loss of Sgt. Gutierrez came as we prepared to celebrate the life of Deputy Amanda Crowder.

Deputy Crowder knew early on she wanted to earn the badge and wear the uniform.

In 2007, she began her law enforcement career as a detention officer at the Harris County Jail. At 19, she was entrusted with the custody and care of those inside the largest jail in Texas.

In 2011, she completed basic peace officer training at the University of Houston-Downtown, where she paved the way to fulfill her dreams of becoming a police officer.

Before rejoining our agency in 2014, she served as a police officer at Metro Police Department for nearly three years. She quickly made a mark on the community she swore a sacred oath to protect.

Deputy Crowder was assigned to the evening shift in Patrol District 2 in northeast Harris County, where she was a proud member of the Aldine Proactive Unit. These deputies focus on reducing crime through high-visibility policing efforts and engaging with the Aldine area community.

Before her latest assignment, Deputy Crowder spent four years with our Special Investigations Division. Here she was part of the elite undercover team that investigated street and mid-level drug trafficking and criminal organizations.

This investigative work is very detail-oriented. It takes dedication. It takes persistence. Deputy Crowder was a meticulous investigator. If you gave her a challenge, she’d meet you at that challenge.

In 2019, she was part of the team of Vice investigators who received a commendation award for their critical role in arresting 80 men for solicitation of prostitution during a month-long investigation.

Deputy Crowder was a consistent reminder – and shining example – of what is expected from Sheriff’s Office deputies. Our job as peace officers came so naturally to her. She was a good cop. She worked hard.

Beyond her serious commitment to the job, Deputy Crowder was the kind of person everyone wanted to be around. She made it a point to build bonds with her teammates through her infectious energy and smile.

At the center of her world were her daughters. That was her greatest assignment of all.

We honor the memories of Deputy Crowder and Sgt. Gutierrez by matching their devotion and sense of pride in our profession. Please keep their families and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this tremendously difficult time.

Houston is considered a major hub for all forms of human trafficking. Our Human Trafficking Unit investigators play a critical role in identifying and combating these horrific cases that often victimize our most vulnerable neighbors. The prevalence of human trafficking, which involves exploiting a person for labor, services, or sex, is difficult to gauge due to underreporting and the crime hiding behind businesses.

Our coordinated response against human trafficking includes working collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, encouraging residents to report traffickers and potential human trafficking victims, and connecting victims to social service organizations that provide the necessary tools and resources to empower them.

We conduct proactive investigations and participate in multi-partner operations, where we locate victims based on intelligence that we have developed.

The Sheriff’s Office is a proud member of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance, a regional task force aimed at identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking. The task force is made up of local, state, and federal agencies and combines resources to target human traffickers and connect victims of all forms of human trafficking, including labor and sex trafficking, to victims’ services.

During these operations, undercover deputies may pose as those running a prostitution ring or those soliciting sex for money. They will also arrange meetings with people who may be trafficked victims, with the hopes they can lead investigators to the traffickers.

Proactive Investigations

A human trafficking investigator will meet with the victims at an arranged location, such as a hotel, for an initial conversation about their situation. They may also establish a nearby command post with human trafficking investigators, victim advocates, and Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners nurses.

Partners

Victims are able to share their stories in-depth and provide investigators with any relevant information leading up to that moment.

A team of forensic nurses, who have specialized knowledge and skills to care for patients who have experienced sexual assault or human trafficking related injuries, provide on-site medical care and exams. Our victim advocate partners from YMCA International Services connect them to critical services and resources, such as counseling and basic needs support.
Collaboration among law enforcement agencies and the community is key to raising awareness of this issue and disrupting human trafficking activity. If you or someone you know might be a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

We stand together with those who are being trafficked, survivors, and the many advocates in our region whose mission is to end human trafficking for all.

Our collective thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and teammates impacted by the untimely loss of a dedicated public servant, Deputy Amanda Crowder.

Deputy Crowder was assigned to Patrol District 2 in northeast Harris County, where she was a proud member of the Aldine Proactive Unit.

She previously served as a detention officer at the Harris County Jail, a deputy investigator with our Special Investigations Division, and as a peace officer with the Metro Police Department. Please keep her family in your prayers.

We celebrate the heroes who are there for us when the unthinkable happens. Our frontline communications personnel are a critical part of our first responder community and form the vital link between callers in distress and our emergency response teams.

They are the first voice you hear when you call our Emergency Dispatch Center, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They guide our deputies through critical situations around the clock and keep our county safe.

Unsung Heroes

In 2021 alone, our dedicated 911 call takers fielded more than a million calls, a historic call volume not seen since 2014.

On a typical day, they field 2,800 calls to 911 and 1,300 calls to our non-emergency line. Our call takers answer emergency calls within two seconds, exceeding the national standard set by NENA.

And within two minutes or less, they have activated emergency personnel to the scene and are on to taking the next call.

It’s a job where every second counts. Through efficient call handling, our 911 dispatchers reduce response times and help save lives.

We say thank you to the first of the first responders, the calm voice navigating us through our most difficult moments by gathering essential information and determining the type of emergency service needed. During these trying times, we’re especially grateful for their service.

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On Monday, we kicked off the new year by welcoming cherished members of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Junior Mounted Posse to a ceremonial signing and presentation of proclamations in honor of their annual tradition of a pony express relay.

The Posse will hand-deliver Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo invitations to local officials in surrounding counties, starting January 15 in Columbus.

The old method of delivery, called the pony express relay ride, is a reminder of a time-honored tradition. It will cover a total of more than 100 miles of roads.

The Pony Express Relay Ride

• January 15: Columbus, Weimar, Hallettsville
• January 29: Tomball, Magnolia, Navasota
• February 12: Chambers, Liberty, and Polk

The Posse, now in its 70th year, is the oldest youth equestrian drill team in Texas.

Throughout the year, they practice horsemanship, act as agency ambassadors, and celebrate our Western heritage through their participation in parades, rodeos, and other local community events.

Posse members, who are 6 to 20 years old, dedicate countless hours to learning and executing intricate drills and maneuvers. They are an extension of the Sheriff’s Office in the community.

“What I enjoy most about the program is seeing their growth first-hand – we watch them gain more training and confidence in riding over time,” said Lt. Chris Adolph, who serves as the program coordinator for the Posse.

“Our Mounted Patrol trainers are hands-on advisors and mentors. It’s also a family affair that teaches various aspects of teamwork and commitment.”

Lt. Adolph added, “Mounted patrol is one way to break down barriers and bring us closer to the community. People gravitate to the horses and start conversations. They want to engage with us and know more.”

Join the Posse

The Posse is always looking for new members. Members must have access to a trained horse and transportation for the horse and equipment to practices and events.

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Lead Drillmaster

For Dalyn Bussey, who is the lead drillmaster for the Posse and mom to one of the youngest members, the positive interaction with law enforcement is what drew her to get involved.

Bussey said, “My son joined almost three years ago. We were excited to find a group that combined our love of horses and supporting law enforcement. The positive interaction we have with the deputies is fantastic. It’s priceless to have my son consider himself part of the HCSO family – and he can share that feeling with his friends.”

In Houston, rodeo season is one of our city’s pride points and a beloved salute to our deep Texas roots. Going Texan tells everyone that you belong to this county and great state, and it belongs to you. It’s something we pride ourselves on. It’s unmatched.

We look forward to taking in all that we have come to love about the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. And we look forward to cheering on our Junior Mounted Posse.

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