Harris County residents cast ballots in record numbers, shattering our county’s all-time voter turnout record in the face of a pandemic. This extraordinary surge during this historic election speaks volumes about our community’s commitment to democracy and making our voices heard.
It has been the honor of my life to serve you as Harris County Sheriff. I’m grateful to the voters of Harris County for entrusting me with the important responsibility of leading this agency of devoted and dedicated public servants. It’s a duty and privilege I never take lightly. My second term as Sheriff was earned as a team and is a testament to the collective efforts of my teammates who make the Sheriff’s Office “The Pride of Texas” and a model agency across our state and nation.
We hold the public’s trust as sacred and will always strive to put your safety first through proactive, community policing. With your support, we’ve made significant strides over the past four years and look forward to building on that momentum. Our agency has actively addressed mental health and homelessness issues, as well as disparities in the local criminal justice system through dedicated training, collaborative partnerships, and innovative programs. We have proven that public safety and societal equity can both be achieved without sacrificing either. In fact, we have shown that public safety is best achieved when everyone knows they can trust that our deputies will consistently treat them with dignity and respect.
But much work remains to be done. We must continue to identify critical tools and search for new ways to improve the safety of our county. We must also move closer toward a more effective, equitable, and thoughtful approach to law enforcement.
We are in this together. The partnership between you and our agency is critical in preventing crime and maintaining a safe and secure community. I am encouraged and energized by our overwhelming enthusiasm for democracy and challenge us to remain engaged in our communities to build a brighter future for our county. Your participation is the cornerstone of our democracy and the catalyst for safer, more caring communities.
Mourning the Loss of Deputy Johnny Tunches
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announced the passing of our long-time brother and teammate, Deputy Johnny Tunches, on early Tuesday morning.
Deputy Tunches, a 29-year-veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and a U.S. Navy veteran, passed away after a courageous battle against COVID-19. He was hospitalized for nearly a month after contracting the virus. While he was in an intensive care unit, our Chaplin and his teammates gathered outside the hospital to lift him and his family up in prayer.
Deputy Tunches began his service with our agency in 1991 at a former detention center in the Atascocita area before working at the Inmate Processing Center. His latest assignment was serving the residents of north Harris County as a Contract Deputy in District 2, the same district our fallen brother Sgt. Scholwinski patrolled and protected.
Deputy Tunches was part of a family of public service. His brother, Randy Tunches, was part of our agency’s vice squad and retired as a Lieutenant.
Please keep his wife, Sara, three daughters, and all those he touched in your thoughts during this tremendously difficult time. Donations for his family may be made in his name to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Benevolence Association.
In the line of duty funeral services for Deputy Tunches will be held on Thursday, November 12 at the First Assembly of God Church in Humble. The services will be live streamed on our Facebook page starting at 10 a.m.
We will keep Deputy Tunches and his family in our hearts. Your brothers and sisters in blue have the watch from here.
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