On Friday, March 8, we held a graduation ceremony to welcome 48 detention officers into the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. This event marked the successful culmination of our latest Detention Officer Training Program. Family and friends came to show their support as we embraced a new cohort of dedicated professionals into our ranks.
After completing 120 hours of training, which included scenarios, defensive tactics, weekly testing, and successfully passing the TCOLE License Exam, Detention Officer Oscar Lukaszewsky emerged as the class Valedictorian. He maintained a 100% grade average throughout the entire course.
During the ceremony, graduates demonstrated their commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and service to our community. Through rigorous training and hands-on experience, these individuals have developed the skills necessary to excel in their roles as detention officers, ensuring the safety and security of both staff and inmates within our facilities.
As we welcome our newest members to the HCSO family, we are confident that they will continue to uphold our agency’s values and contribute to our mission of serving and protecting the residents of Harris County. We also welcomed a new class of detention cadets, along with a new class of deputy cadets. Currently, we have a total of 146 deputy cadets and 38 detention officer cadets in training.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the graduates and wish the new cadets the best of luck and success in their careers.
Furthermore, we are pleased to announce our upcoming Detention Officer Fast Track Recruitment Event on March 19. This event offers individuals interested in joining our team the chance to gain insights about the role and start the application process. To expedite the hiring process, we will conduct interviews, onsite testing, fingerprinting, and background testing all on the same day.
HCSO Shares Tips for Responsible Celebrations
Promoting responsible behavior during St. Patrick’s Day is crucial, particularly about drinking and driving. Here are some safety tips from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office to encourage sobriety and prevent impaired driving:
- Plan Ahead: Plan your transportation before you start drinking. Designate a sober driver, use public transit, or arrange for a ride-sharing service.
- Alternate Drinks: If you’re celebrating with alcoholic beverages, alternate between alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic beverages to stay hydrated and reduce alcohol consumption.
- Monitor Your Alcohol Intake: Keep track of how much alcohol you consume and know your limits.
- Watch Your Friends: Look out for your friends and make sure everyone has a safe way to get home. Never let a friend drive drunk.
- Use a Designated Driver: If you’re planning to drink, designate a sober driver before heading out. Make sure everyone in your group knows who the designated driver is.
- Use Ride-Sharing Services: Use ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft to get home safely if you’ve been drinking.
- Stay Overnight: If you’re unable to find a safe way home, consider staying overnight at a friend’s house or a nearby hotel.
- Avoid Walking Alone: If you’re walking home, do so with a group of friends or in well-lit, populated areas.
- Report Drunk Drivers: If you see someone attempting to drive while impaired, report them to local law enforcement immediately.
Help HCSO prevent impaired driving and promote a safer St. Patrick’s Day celebration!
HCSO In The News
KHOU: Father pleads for help finding his missing teenage son with mental disabilities.
HOUSTON — Jose Reyes said he and his son Mauricio had only been in Houston for about two weeks when he went missing. Now, it’s been nearly three weeks since he’s been seen.
Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of this missing juvenile is urged to contact the HCSO Missing Persons Unit at 713-755-7427 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.”
Terry Rivera, suspect in 12-year-old’s shooting death, granted bond.
After being apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border and brought back to Houston, Terry Bryan Rivera, the suspect wanted in connection with the death of 12-year-old Carlos Fernandez in Harris County, has been granted bond.
Rivera has received a $2 million bond, a compromise between the state’s request for $5 million and the defense’s proposal.
HCSO Teammates of the Week
Harris County Sheriff’s Office Teammates of the Week: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the HCSO highlight exceptional teammates who serve others above and beyond their duties. We regularly receive positive emails, thank you notes, and phone calls from the community.
“I am an EMT with Harris County and had an encounter with one of your teams. We were called to a trailer park for a report of an aggressively elderly lady who was acting erratically. Reports were made that she had threatened to hurt her son and herself. Deputy Gonzales and Trevino’s team were on the scene. It was discovered that her blood pressure was high, and she needed to be transported. The patient refused, becoming more upset. Deputy Gonzales spent a great deal of time creating a rapport with the patient and attempted to find some common ground to convince her to come peacefully,” said a Harris County resident. “She was ultimately not successful, and the patient was forcefully taken out of the vehicle. She did stop resisting and complied. Deputy Gonzales accompanied EMS and the patient in the ambulance to the ER, and Deputy Trevino followed. The time spent and patience shown by both deputies were above and beyond, especially on a busy Thursday full moon night. I want to thank both deputies and say I will happily work a scene with them any time. Please express my admiration and appreciation.”
Deputy Orlando Trevino started his law enforcement career in 2002 with the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office. He worked there for almost 19 years before joining our agency in 2020. He’s currently assigned to District 1 in north Harris County as a Field Training Officer.
Deputy Natalie Gonzales joined HCSO ten years ago as a detention officer and became a deputy in 2019. A few months ago, she started patrolling District 1.
Harris County Sheriff’s Office 2023 Annual Report
Under the direction of Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office 2023 Annual Report provides a glimpse of the dedication and efforts of our certified, detention and professional teammates, who are committed to our values and pursuit of excellence.
HCSO Mounted Patrol Foundation Denim and Diamonds Gala!
HCSO Mounted Patrol Foundation presents the first annual Denim and Diamonds Gala! We’re celebrating 75 years of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol with dinner, music, dancing, awards, an auction, door prizes, and more!
The Gala is scheduled for April 6, 2024, at David H. McNerney American Legion Post 658, located at 14890 FM 2100, Crosby, Texas 77532. To purchase tickets, please scan the QR code in the flyer.
Individual tickets cost $50 each, and you can reserve a table for eight people for $375. As a guest, you will receive a ticket that gives you a chance to win a door prize. There will be both door prizes, raffle prizes, and live and silent auctions.
The event starts at 6 p.m., ends at midnight, and includes dinner, music, and fun! We hope y’all can make it!
Women’s History Month Spotlight
In honor of Women’s History Month, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) are celebrating some of our agency’s remarkable women.
Meet Detention Captain Sondra Sams.
“Women’s History Month is a time to reflect and pay homage to women’s vast and significant accomplishments and contributions,” said Captain Sams. “My mother was my greatest female inspiration. Not only was she an amazing wife and mother, but she was also the kindest human being I have ever met. She was my biggest cheerleader and my greatest inspiration.”
Captain Sams was promoted to the new position on January 25, 2024. Along with Lieutenant Joash Butler, Sams became the first detention captain in the agency’s history, dating back to 1837.
“I advise young women just starting their careers in law enforcement to set achievable short-term and long-term goals, adopt time management habits, and have a can-do attitude because you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Captain Sams joined our agency in 2000 as a detention officer. She has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in education from the University of Houston Downtown.
Meet Sergeant Lakisha Cheatham.
“Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate women’s past, present, and future achievements while also recognizing the work that still needs to be done to create a more equitable and just society for all,” Sgt. Cheatham said. “Women now serve in broader roles and positions within law enforcement agencies. This diversification of roles allows women to contribute their unique skills and perspectives to various aspects of law enforcement work.”
Sergeant Cheatham joined the HCSO in 2015. Since then, she has served in multiple capacities within the agency, including the Crisis Intervention Response Team, the Homeless Outreach Team, and the Community Problem-Oriented Policing Unit. Currently, Sgt. Cheatham oversees Background Investigations.
“Remember that finding the right balance between your personal and professional life is an ongoing process that may require regular reassessment and adjustments. By prioritizing self-care, effective communication, and time management, you can achieve a fulfilling balance between both.”
Upcoming HCSO Career Fairs
Are you looking for a job? Join Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Recruitment Team at upcoming job fairs! For more information regarding our available positions, visit HCSOJobs.com or call 713-877-5250.
Upcoming Job Fairs:
- Tuesday, March 19, 2024: HCSO fast-track Detention Officer Hiring Event from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 5749 S. Loop East Fwy.
- Wednesday, March 20, 2024: US Vets Veteran Career Fair from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 18818 Tomball Parkway, Houston, TX 77070.
- Thursday, March 21, 2024: HCC Education and Teacher Career Fair, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Eastside Campus, 6815 Rustic St, Houston, TX 77087.
- Friday, March 22, 2024: Baker Riplepy Career Fair Pasadena will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Baker Ripley Cleveland Campus in Pasadena, 720 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena, TX 77504.
- Tuesday, March 26, 2024: Spring 2024 Criminal Justice & Social Services Career Fair from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Live Oak Ballroom, Setzer Student Center, 4405 Jimmy Simmons Blvd, Beaumont, TX 77705.
- Tuesday, March 26, 2024: Harris County Career Fair from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at HCC Alief Campus, 2811 Hayes Rd, Houston, TX 77082.
Harris County Alarm Permit Requirement
Did you know? If you have an alarm system in unincorporated Harris County, an alarm permit is required, and it must be renewed annually. For more information, click HERE or call 713-755–4600.
Coffee With a Cop & The Easter Bunny
Join us for Coffee with a Cop & the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 11 a.m. -2 p.m.