February 11 to February 17, 2008 Sheriff’s Report Number 372 - To Coffield Unit over the weekend to attend and be the Commencement Speaker for their High School Graduation Class. A very normal Graduation program, no different than any other Commencement Exercise in our State. Over 90 graduates. Two men named as Valedictorian and Salutatorian. I was very pleased to be asked to participate and admirous of their willingness to complete their High School education, even though incarcerated. They were a very attentive group. This group of graduates represented Boyd, Coffield, Powledge, Gurney and the Michael Units of TDC. Their school district is known as the Windham School District.

Had a very pleasant visit on Saturday with Gib, Norma and Rabia Talim of New York and Baltimore. They left several years ago from our fair area in order to be closer to parents. Gib was a local medical practitioner. It was with sadness that our community watched them leave. We were all greedy about it when they left, I suppose, but , truth is, we just don’t like losing good folks. In fact, try to keep them as long as we can….And they were some of the best! But, they still keep up with all of their friends down here through the newspaper, stop by to visit when they can. They’ve still got an old junky yard swing that I built for them when their girls were very small, carried it halfway across the United States and still using it. That swing’s not worth three dollars, but to hear Talim tell it, it is their pride and joy, the Taj Mahal of their back yard. I still haven’t thrown in the towel…..Maybe we can still get them moved back to our neck of the woods, someday. See…..I’m a little greedy, too! Besides, that swing will probably need a little rebuilding ‘fore long! It’d be easier to make him bring it to me than vice versa.

Call from Palestine PD advises young man just called his parents, stole their car, ran out of gas, located somewhere near Fairfield, wanted Mama and Daddy to come and find him, return him home. Deputy Shipley makes diligent search from Fairfield to the Trinity River, no car, no runaway…..Hold it, just disregard, they found him, have him in Palestine. Fairfield VFD to structure fire, FCR-540. Deputy Shipley to loose horses, FCR-1235.

Vandalism at Richland Chambers, someone spread gooey lotion all over Lady’s car. She asked if it had happened to anyone else. No Ma’am, no other reports. A shame it wasn’t car polish! TPD Solly to unwanted visitor on J.A. Brooks. Deputy Shipley to Family Troubles, FCR-1235. Southern Oaks VFD and FEMS to Southern Oaks Drive, man fell. FPD Kindon to dog troubles on S. Fairway. Also to reported break-in at tire shop.

Deputy Shipley to reported break-in, Teague Club Lake. FEMS, THDEMS, DPS Warren and Crais to accident, bridge struck, IH-45, Mile 206. FPD Green to Bond, assisting man after tumbling out of bed. 911 Call bounces in from Leon County, man threatening suicide, Leon County informed. Say, Bub, spring is just around the corner. No time is ever right for suicide…..And right now, is just about the worst time you could possibly choose. Let’s haul off and think about it. Why in a few short weeks, God’s annual miracle will begin transforming before our very eyes. Leaves will begin uncurling from dormant, gray limbs. White clouds will billow across a brilliantly blue sky. Grass and clover shall spring forth in brilliant hues of emerald, carpeting the earth with a fresh covering, followed by an assortment of flowers, straight from God’s garden. And yet, another generation of newly born animals will be born to frolic and gambol around on wobbly legs, sniffing butterflies and poseys, starting another cycle of viewing life in all its glories…..So, just imagine how sad it would be….missing out on the annual recurrence of a glorious spring…..See…..I told you it is the wrong time of the year to contemplate doing away with yourself. Don’t do it. A door closes…..Another always opens. Troubles do go away. Remember that. And, if you are still in doubt, go back and read this paragraph two or three times more. It’ll sink in.

Several of our Deputies involved with the Funeral service for Retired Chief Deputy Sheriff Charles Nicholson over the weekend. DPS Warren and Crais arrest young Lady with Marijuana. Loose cattle, Old 75, owner summoned. FEMS to FCR-1161, Lady fell, arm injured. Fairfield VFD to breaker box on fire, West 84.

Lady calls to report that she had previously read in the Sheriff’s Report my warning to never give out bank account numbers to anyone….. Today she was called….. Guess what they were asking for? Yep, you guessed it. Nope, she said she remembered that admonition in the newspaper, didn’t give out her numbers. She was one smart cookie!

Deputy Travis Robertson to/from Dallas County, Prisoner Transport. Deputy Elom to FM-27, Lady concerned someone may attempt to steal her car. Also to loose cattle, Old 75, four miles south of Fairfield, owner loading them in trailer when Robert Elom left. Complaint of truck losing load of bricks, IH-45, one bat at a time. Dew VFD and FEMS to Dew School, young Lady ill in locker room. Roll of hay in middle of FM-1580. FEMS to chest pains on East wood Street in Streetman. 911 bounce advises of truck on fire 6 miles out of Groesbeck, call transferred to Limestone County. TPD Reed to reported break-in on Matthew Ln.

Heavy weather, lightning, rain and all the trimmings. Storm Spotters called out. Bolt of lightning causes all alarms at ETMC Hospital to go off, luckily no fire found when Fairfield VFD arrives. FEMS to Bond, husband very ill. JP #2 Debbie Hamilton to Natural Death on Magnolia. Deputies Aultman, Anderson and myself to FCR-841, marital troubles.911 Bounce advises of 4 loose cattle, Hwy. 171. THDEMS to FCR-960, man fell, struck head, large goose egg resulting. Deputy Shaw to loose hosses, FCR-930.

Loud noises, thumping, etc., reported in apartment on Oak in Fairfield. Someone being abused? Struck? Banged against the wall?....FPD Foree discovers such was not the case….Just a Lady tenderizing a steak! And, like they say on TV….Beef! It’s what’s for dinner! Deputy Elom and DPS Adams to cow/car accident, FM-80. Mother having troubles with daughter, Thousand Oaks, FPD Foree, Dep. Robert Elom and DPS Adams to same.

TPD Pickett and Miller dealing with family having troubles, threats, etc., on Main. County native, but now a Waco man, Sherbert Eppes is flying on one wing. TxDOT advised of dead cow on road, FM-80. DPS Warren to accident, Hwy. 179, one driver arrested on Outstanding Warrant. Strange vehicle reported on S. 7^th. TPD Miller to Cox, troubles over a car. Power line struck at Taco Bell by truck, Fairfield VFD to same. Deputy House to suspicious activity on FCR-901. TPD Pickett to report of car window broken on Washington. FPD Green arrests man on IH-45, Failure To identify.

Boyfriend leaves with girlfriend’s car three days ago, said he was going job hunting. Apparently had no luck. He hasn’t returned…..Neither has her car!

Another traffic tragedy on FM-80, near FCR-743, two vehicle accident near Freestone. Teague, Dew and Donie VFD’s, THDEMS, DPS Warren, Dep. House and TPD Chief Cox to scene. JP #2 Debbie Hamilton pronounces death.

A Memorial Fund has been set up at the Freestone Credit Union on behalf of the Johnny Goodwin Family. Johnny lost his life in a tragic accident on FM-80, following the end of his work shift. He leaves behind three children and wife Jackie, who is an employee at the Sheriff’s Office.

Report of possible shots fired on Jackson, TPD Cox to same. Deputy Travis Robertson to/from Dayton, Texas, prisoner transport. FPD Bass to call of man seeing people in his house…..that are not there. FPD Foree and Dep. House to local business, front door open. Teague VFD and THDEMS to FCR-743, baby not breathing……Breathing now. Dep. Travis Robertson to/from Brazoria County, prisoner transport. Loose bull, FCR-936. Deputy Shaw to ER, woman assaulted by husband.

TPD Reed to reported break-in on Spruce. Skunk shot last week, reported as testing positive for rabies after tests. Kirvin VFD and FEMS to FCR-1091, possible stroke. Atmos to gas leak, 5^th and Chestnut. Deputies Aultman and Howerton to West 84, 13 year old out of control. FPD Green to business on FM-27, someone stole Lady’s coat and coffee. FEMS to Boyd Unit, Officer fell, struck head.

Deputy Jeremy Shipley to FCR-1080, dogs broke through fence, killed horse. THDEMS to Maple, man’s throat area is swelling. DPS Warren to vehicle through fence problem, FM-27. Loose cow, Post Oak Road, owner and Dep. Shaw put back in pasture. Cloudy, rainy day on Saturday. Lady on N. 6^th reports her children had others over for a visit…. Believed left with more than they came with, TPD Reed to same. 911 Bounce comes in from Limestone County, tree struck by lightning, FM-39, now in road.

Double tragedies in our County on Saturday evening: Traffic fatality, Mile 193, IH-45, with Deputies, DPS Adams, Dew VFD and FEMS responding, JP #3 Beth Ireland to pronounce death. The second accident, just prior to the preceding, was at US-84 and FM-80. Teague VFD, THDEMS, DPS Crais, Deputies Shaw, Taylor, Shipley and TPD Solly all on scene.

Deputy Shaw removes limb, blocking FM-1580. FEMS to S. Bateman, Lady in labor, her second child, pains about 15 minutes apart…..Better hurry! Loose cow, FM-1366 at FCR-971. DPS Crais, FEMS and Fairfield VFD to accident, Mile 206. FEMS to FM-2547, Lady fell. Butler VFD to fire, East 84. Wortham VFD to East Brazos, crackling noise and smoke seem to be inside wall.

Lady calls from Anderson County, husband has not returned home to Anderson County from work, grasping at straws…..Yes, Ma’am. Let us give you the telephone number to the Sheriff’s Office in Anderson County, they will be happy to assist with the teletypes and phone calls. Yes, Ma’am, Franklin, Texas is a long haul from Anderson County, three counties away…..Any time, Ma’am, good luck!

DPS Crais, Deputy House and FPD Mason to FCR-1224, car crashes into house, occupants flee. TPD Solly to Elm, 15 year old son out of control. FPD Utsey and Foree to City Park, four adults, two kids, fighting. FEMS to FCR-1260, older man keeps passing out.

Report of people fighting on Worthy Street in Donie. When Deputies arrive and check residence, Marijuana in plain view. Subsequent search yields syringes, powder residue, etc. One female arrested, charged with Controlled Substance. Deputies Robert Willis, Diana Willis, Rick Howerton, James Hatter, Scott Shaw, myself and Constable Lynn Clary all on scene. About one year ago we were in this same residence with the same findings.

DPS Crais jails motorist on Balch Springs Warrants. TPD Cox and Solly to report of kids fighting, many onlookers, on Pecan. Also to Ash, boyfriend beat up girlfriend.

Until Next Week…..RALPH BILLINGS