The men and women of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office came together on Monday with Cadet Cornelius Anderson’s loving circle of family and friends to mourn the passing of a beloved son, brother, and public servant. Funeral services with full honors for Cadet Anderson were held at Humble First Assembly of God.
Cornelius Anderson was a part of our greater Houston community, graduating from North Shore Senior High School and the University of Houston-Downtown. He was also a treasured member of our agency, and he will be terribly missed by everyone who had the honor of knowing him.
Cadet Anderson was looking forward to dedicating his life to protecting and serving our communities. He did not get to fulfill his goal of becoming a deputy, but we posthumously named him an honorary deputy at his memorial service on Monday.
Cadet Anderson’s character and dedication to making a difference showed everyone he encountered that he was made for the job. He was a great teammate and a wonderful person who inspired and positively influenced his many friends and colleagues through his commitment to service.
Please continue to pray for his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Donations for Cadet Anderson’s family may be made in his name to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Benevolence Association. We will keep him and his family in our hearts. Your brothers and sisters in blue have the watch from here.
Hurricane Preparedness
With summer comes the beginning of hurricane season. We’ve already seen multiple storm systems form in the tropics, including one that’s poised to impact our weather this weekend. The best thing to do before a hurricane warning is issued is to prepare.
One of the most important roles our agency plays during hurricane season is encouraging residents to stay informed and be ready. Our agency works together as a team with each other, our public safety partners, and our community before, during, and after a crisis.
Follow these important hurricane preparedness tips from the CDC:
- Get emergency supplies: Have enough supplies for your household, including medication, disinfectant supplies, cloth face coverings, and pet supplies.
- Make a plan: Create a family disaster plan.
- Avoid flooded areas: Take precautions before, during, and after a flood.
- Prepare to Evacuate: Never ignore an evacuation order.
- Protect older adults: Understand older adult health and medical concerns.
- Protect your pets: Ensure your pet’s safety before, during, and after an emergency.
- Stay safe after a hurricane: Learn how to avoid injuries, make sure your food and water are safe, and clean up mold safely.
- Review important documents: Make sure your insurance policies and personal documents are up to date. Make copies and keep them in a secure password-protected digital space.
- Strengthen your home: Declutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture, and consider hurricane shutters.
- Stay informed: Identify and follow your local weather authority.
You can’t stop a hurricane, but you can act now to protect yourself and your household. Put together an emergency plan and make sure every member of your family knows what to do. Visit Ready Harris to sign up for local emergency alerts, as well as to learn about a disaster supply kit checklist, evaluation tips, helpful websites and more.
Safety Tips for Driving in Severe Weather
The heavy rain we experienced this week was a reminder to take certain precautions when driving in inclement weather.
Here are tips from Ready Harris that can save lives:
- Allow for more travel time and plan to drive at a slower pace than normal when the roads are wet. Traffic is likely to be moving slower due to accidents or flooded roads.
- Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally.
- Avoid crossing flooded areas. If you come to an area that is covered with water, you will not know the depth of the water or the condition of the ground under the water.
- Never attempt to go around barricades. It is against the law, and they are there for your safety.
- Turn on your headlights to help you see the road and help other motorists see you.
- Pull over and wait it out if it is raining so hard that you cannot see the road or the car in front of you.
- Give trucks or buses extra distance. Their extra-large tires can create enough spray to block your vision completely.
- Defog your windows. Rain will quickly cause your windshield to fog up.
- Monitor road conditions with the Roadway Flood Warning System and seek alternate routes when roads are flooded.
Remember to always have a plan and stay informed to protect yourself and your loved ones from severe weather threats. Residents are encouraged to monitor the local NWS forecast and to sign up for emergency alerts at ReadyHarris.org.
National Hire a Veteran Day
This Saturday, July 25, is National Hire a Veteran Day. We honor the women and men who have served in the US Armed Forces and are proud to foster a supportive culture for veterans across our agency. In their annual “Best for Vets” employer rankings, The Military Times recognized the Harris County Sheriff’s Office as the number one government and nonprofit organization employer for veterans in 2019. Last year, nearly 200 employers in the nation competed for the “Best for Vets” recognition, providing in-depth data on their culture, recruiting, policies and resources related to veterans, service members and military families.
If you’re looking to make a difference, learn more about our career opportunities here.
Staying Alert
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) continues to work closely with the CDC and other public health organizations to monitor and educate the public about COVID-19.
HCPH provides daily updates from hospitals, medical facilities, and other health officials across our region regarding testing, confirmed cases, and the development of COVID-19. For these updates, refer to the Harris County / Houston COVID-19 Cases Dashboard.
HCPH encourages residents to get tested for COVID-19 if they feel they are exhibiting symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive. Learn more about free testing and take the Houston and Harris County Public Health self-assessment tool here.
As the number of COVID-19 cases climb across Harris County, we must stay vigilant and protect ourselves, our loved ones, and neighbors. Stay home when possible, wear face masks, practice social distancing, and remain hopeful.
God bless you, and may God bless the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.