GPN Aug 04 - The Police News

Transcription

DeMontrond Chevy & Toyota
I-45 North–Texas City
Galveston Police News
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 12
TAKE ONE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GALVESTON MUNICIPAL POLICE ASSOCIATION
January 2005
John Antichevich, Immigrant Hero THOUSANDS WATCH, CHEER CHRISTMAS PARADE
Galveston’s First Motorcycle Patrolman
by Marcie Ellis O’Keefe
Special to The Galveston Police News
Also Outstanding Firefighter, Excellent Horseman, Tenacious Detective, Champion
Wrestler, Record Setting Track & Field Achiever & Gardener
Within the rich, colorful tapestry of Galveston
Island history are many tales of legendary individuals–pioneers and pirates, industrialists and gamblers, philanthropists and thieves, adventurers
and fugitives, heroes & scoundrels. John
Antichevich, Galveston’s first motorcycle patrolman, lived a life filled with excitement and adventures–the stuff that dreams are made of–and not
just a few exciting adventures, but many.
John Antichevich began his career in Galveston
al generations, was surrounded by a six foot high
stonewall, which Antichevich’s grandfather had
begun building in his youth, worked on it throughout his life, completing it a year or so before his
death.
Antichevich entered the Galveston Fire
Department in 1906 and served until 1912. As a
firefighter he performed daringly. A local news
reporter described a devastating fire at the Sealy
Building. The fire, after being brought under con-
With the sounds of whistles, bells and sirens,
the 15th annual Galveston Christmas Parade
wound its way through the city’s downtown business district as thousands of Christmas shoppers
and onlookers watched and waved.
Parade participants, numbering over 600,
threw candy from floats, cars, trucks and carriages as children along the parade route scrambled for the goodies as it hit the ground.
Cruiser weight champion Felix Cora of the
United States Boxing Association was Parade
Marshal for the event. He shared the spotlight
thing was in the right place at the right time when
the starting whistle blew. Culligan is the first, and
only, parade coordinator since it’s beginning in
1989.
Some of the participants in the 2004 Christmas
Parade included the Ronald McDonald House,
Galveston Police News, Galveston Police
Department, Galveston Municipal Police
Association, Odyssey Academy, Ball High School
Toronettes, Ball High School Marching Band and
Cheerleaders, Galveston Girl Scouts, Parker
Elementary School Drill Team, San Jacinto
Elementary Drill and Dance Teams, Burnett
On left Parade Marshal, USBA World Cruiser Weight Boxing Champion Felix Cora accompanied by amateur boxing champs Felipe De Los Santos and Fred Allen, Jr. (staff photo)
John N. Antichevich, Galvestons first Police Motorcycle Officer in 1917
in 1884. He immigrated to the United States from
the region of Jugo Slavia, the town of Yanjina, in
Dalmatia, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Jugo
Slavia was the nation of Croatia, first founded in
the Balkans following the division of the Roman
Empire. Antichevich was born and reared on a 2
acre, intensively cultivated, grape and olive farm.
The farm, which had been in his family for sever-
trol had left the front walls of the building standing, presenting a danger to fireman and passersby…it was decided to pull down the walls, being
very high, the extension ladders were used to
reach the top. Antichevich scaled the top of the
ladder, climbed onto the slender, swaying column
of ruined masonry and fastened a rope around the
continued on page 10 (Antichevich)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Message From The President ....................2
G.M.P.A. Executive Board of Directors.......2
Mardi Gras Salutes American Patriotism.....3
MOST WANTED FUGITIVES......................4
From The Editor...........................................5
City, Police, Reach Long Awaited Agreement....5
Canine Unit Searches Ball High School......5
THE MAILBOX.............................................6
November Arrest Sheets...............................8
The Police Beat............................................8
Cheating Death Stories...............................9
Christmas Parade Photos.................12 & 13
Citizen Cops Help Mounted Police...........16
Who was the first female sheriff?..............17
Fire Cops Have Big Job In Galvesto........18
Texas Executions — January...................18
Going After The Parking Cheats?.............19
SEX OFFENDERS....................................20
GPD Looses “Star” Officer to the Feds.... 21
Texas Police News..............................22-23
with 9-year old Felipe De Los Santos this year’s
annual champion of El Portico Fantancia, an
amateur boxing association for young boxers.
Also with Cora was Fred Allen, Jr. the reigning
heaving weight champion in the same organization. This was the 13th year that the parade was
organized and sponsored by the Galveston
Municipal Police Association. Association
President, John Bertolino said that he was
“delighted with the huge turnout of spectators
and participants. We want it to be something special for our kids and of course we want everyone
to have fun.” Members of the police group spend
several weeks each year getting geared up for the
annual event.
Parade coordinator Frank Culligan was the key
man, receiving the entries, lining up the parade
order and making sure that everyone and every-
P.O. Box 5396
Galveston, Texas 77554
Elementary Drill Team, Scott Elementary Drill
Team, The Shriners Temple, Weis Middle School
Cheerleaders and Drill Team, Galveston
Firefighters Union, International Longshoremen’s
Union, Uppercuts Barber Shop, Galveston
Catholic Brownie Troop and Girl Scouts and
Downtown Auto Parts.
Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas rode in an
open horse carriage as did City Council Members
Patricia Bolton-Legg, Joe Jaworski and Danny
Weber.
First year participant Demontrond Chevrolet
and Toyota entered some of it’s 2005 model
autos and trucks, driven by members of the
Galveston Citizens Police Academy Alumni
Association.
See more Christmas Parade photos on our website www.gmpaonline.com.
continued photo display in centerfold
Prsrt Std
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 184
Webster, Tx.
Message From The President
G.M.P.A. Executive Board of Directors
Rough Seas Ahead For Association Membership
I‚m
no
fortuneteller, but a crystal ball is not necessary to forecast trouble ahead for members of the police
association. Our new
Police
Chief,
Kenneth Mack, and
some of his upper
management have
John Bertolino
launched an assault
on Galveston Officer’s constitutional rights as well as
rights guaranteed to them by the collective bargaining agreement. I’ve collected a few examples for you.
The First Amendment protects our members, and
anyone else for that matter, who desire to speak to
the editor. Despite that inalienable right, one ActingLieutenant grilled a member about speaking to the
editor of this newspaper. Under the Peace Officer’s
Bill of Rights in our contract, a member has the right
to have a GMPA representative present during any
questioning. The Acting-Lieutenant denied the
member’s request for having a GMPA representative
present during the ordeal and was ordered NOT to
contact a representative. Not only did this violate
the Bill of Rights in our contract but the right to free
speech as set forth by the U.S. Constitution.
The administration notified the GMPA Board of
Directors that they believe any member being interrogated regarding a complaint or investigation must
answer any and all questions, regardless of whether
or not a GMPA representative or attorney is present.
The right to representation is granted to everyone
we arrest and is guaranteed to our members by the
Officers Bill of Rights article in our employment contract with the city.
But, that’s not all. Officers have been ordered to
respond to the administration’s interrogation in the
officer’s own handwriting. For those of you who do
not know, this is done for the purpose of future
handwriting analysis. We plan to purchase a stack of
“Big Chief” tablets and a box of jumbo crayons for
officers to use. We want to make sure the officer’s
statements are written as clear as possible using
their non-dominant hand!
And, just when you thought Administration couldn’t be more bold, a Patrol Lieutenant violated a contract item regarding holiday time off based on seniority. The Lieutenant acknowledged that he was
going to violate rights guaranteed to a member in
the bargaining agreement. The Lieutenant advised
the officer to proceed with a contract grievance. The
Lieutenant continued that by the time the contract
grievance was ever heard by a mediator or an arbitrator, the reason for the grievance (holiday time off
based on seniority) would be moot. Even if the officer won a favorable ruling, the holidays would have
already passed.
Captains have transferred officers against their
wishes while protecting other officers assigned to
coveted positions. Loyalty to the new administration
pays off. Some of these administration-loyal employees have been assigned to these highly desirable
positions in excess of 17 years and counting.
And lastly, our new Chief confirmed a rumor
about his intent to seek the abolishment of two
Sergeants positions in exchange for one new Officer
position and one new Lieutenant position. The Chief
promised not to make the move while there was a
standing list of officers waiting for promotion. The
Chief, just a few weeks later, did exactly what he
promised not to do. This item was slid onto the
agenda during a special meeting of the City Council.
The GMPA had no knowledge of it and contrary to
the Chief’s supposed good word, the Council deleted two Sergeants positions while there were two
very good candidates on the promotional list. The
irony of this is that the Chief requested the new
Lieutenant position while he had two existing vacant
Lieutenant positions, and no standing list of
Lieutenant candidates available.
During our bi-weekly meetings with the Chief and
his staff, the GMPA board has repeatedly offered the
olive branch of peace. The Chief and most of his
command staff have replied with unrealistic
demands that violate our members‚ constitutional
and contractual rights. It’s understandable that
some subordinates will always view the command
staff’s decisions as unpopular, but the administration would gain compliance if the decisions were
applied fairly across the board. The Chief has drawn
a line in the sand. He has refused any cooperation
with the police association that is not guaranteed by
contract. That‚s a shame.
I’ve stated publicly that I would not run from a
fight. With two months left on my term in office and
nine years at the helm of the organization, I feel it is
probably time for a new President and a different
approach. I’ve got news for the administration. I
don’t believe my replacement will allow our members‚ rights to be trampled either.
The police association can be an invaluable friend
and ally. We can also be a brutal unyielding enemy.
While I hope for a cooperative future between the
union and administration, I’m also a realist. I don‚t
really see cooperation with the new administration
until they are compelled to cooperate.
Maybe some of you readers could make a few
phone calls. Voice your opinion if you feel that your
protectors shouldn’t be treated this way. Too many
good men and women have died protecting our
rights to allow this to continue. Galveston’s public
servants are accustomed to rough seas. Batten
down the hatches. I see troubled waters ahead.
12200 FM 3005 Galveston TX
800.527.7333 / bayreef.com / 409.737.2300
each office independently owned and operated
Page 2 - Galveston Police News
Gordon Pean
Day Watch Rep.
Doug Balli
Vice President
Patrick York
Board Secretary
Jeff Heyse
Mike Casso
Evening Watch Rep Night Watch Rep.
Harold Beasley
Position 4 Rep
Andy McLane
Treasurer
LouisTrochesset
Position 5 Rep
MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of the Galveston Municipal Police Officers' Association to enforce, protect and enhance
the rights and benefits of it's members and to assure a better quality of life for it's members and the citizens of Galveston through proactive community involvement.
"SERVING THOSE DEDICATED TO SERVE"
The Galveston Municipal Police Officers' Association has been an active participant with the community and it's police officers since 1950. We pride ourselves on serving the law enforcement community with unbounded professionalism. The Association also realizes it's responsibility as a corporate
member of Galveston and continually participates to ensure a better quality of life for all citizens.
Currently the Association represents approximately 170 members in matters of collective bargaining,
discipline, grievances and community relations. We provide activities for our members and their families as well as serve as a vehicle for fund raising for certain local charities. The Association also maintains an active profile within the local political arena to insure that matters of law enforcement and
employee rights are ensured for all persons.
Distribution: The Galveston Police News is published and distributed on the
first day of each month at many retail locations, hotels, motels, restaurants
and city and county offices throughout Galveston and neighboring counties.
Sales/Advertising: For information and rates contact Kathryn Dawson at (409) 6320082, or -email [email protected]. You may also fax us at (409) 632-0103. To
request news stands and papers for distribution at your business, call (409) 632-0486, or email your request to [email protected].
www.gpdnews.com
John Bertolino
President
Resort Sales & Rentals on the West End of Galveston
Let us find you the Island home of your dreams ...
or help you sell yours!
John Bertolino
President
Galveston Police News is published by the Galveston Municipal Police Association and is not copyrighted.
Other police organizations are encouraged to reprint material which originate with Galveston Police News. We
require only that you give credit to the author and this paper when reprinting. All articles are subject to review by
the editorial committee. Letters and/or guest articles appearing in the editorial section of Galveston Police
News are the sole opinion of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the Board of
Directors or membership of the Galveston Municipal Police Association.
Galveston Police News encourages Organization members and other readers of the publication to submit letters for publication on the editorial page. The GMPA reserves the right to refuse to print any submission not
deemed in the best interest of the Organization.
Notice: All articles and photos for Galveston Police News must be submitted no later than the 15th
of each month. Any articles submitted after this date will appear, space permitting, in the next issue
of Galveston Police News. Thank you for your cooperation.
Articles may be submitted by E-mail to: [email protected], by fax at 409-632-0103, nationwide toll free fax
1-877-632-0123, by calling (409) 632-0486, or by U.S. Mail at Galveston Police News, P.O. Box 5396, Galveston,
Texas 77554.
John Bertolino, President
Galveston Municipal Police Association
Breck Porter
Managing Editor
Mardi Gras Salutes American Patriotism
galveston.com
Each year, more than
half a million people
gather in the streets of
Galveston Island to participate in the largest
Mardi Gras celebration
in Texas. For 12 days
and 11 nights the
island is electrified by
the sounds of live
music,
spectacular
parades,
elaborate
masked balls, and
flamboyant costumes.
This year, “Mardi Gras!
salutes
Galveston”
American patriotism
with “Mardi Gras! Galveston: Red, White, and
Blue,” January 28, 2005 thru Fat Tuesday,
February 8, 2005.
According to Chris Woolwine, vice president
of the Park Board of Trustees, 2005 Mardi
Gras! Galveston will be nothing short of a
great time. “We are working very closely with
the 18 participating Krewes and the entire
Galveston community concentrating on a big-
ger and better Mardi
Gras! 2005.”
More than 30 bands
will captivate spectators on two grand
stages located in the
heart of the Bud Light
Entertainment District.
In addition to live
music, the celebration
includes several exciting parade processions
accompanied by local
Krewe
members
dressed in extravagant
costumes, intriguing
art exhibits, stimulating sports events, plus an assortment of elaborate masquerade balls to entice the black-tie
senses.
Mardi Gras! Galveston is coordinated by the
Galveston Park Board of Trustees in conjunction with the City of Galveston and 18 participating Mardi Gras krewes. For more information contact the Galveston Park Board- Toll
Free at 888-GAL-ISLE, (888-425-4753).
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Carnes Brothers
FUNERAL HOME
Where the family name
on the outside is the
same family on the inside.
(409) 765-8080
1201 Tremont
Galveston
FREE ESTIMATES
Galveston Health & Racquet Club
Galveston’s Finest & Only
Family Fitness Center
Offering
POLICE FAMILY
MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT
www.galvestonfitness.com
(409) 744-3651
2318 83rd Street
MONTHLY AUTO AUCTION
IN HOUSTON AREA
100 + CARS
FOR FULL LISTINGS CALL
OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
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www.drugseizure.com
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Texas Auto Title &
Registration Consultants, Inc.
Donald Mcclure TXE 12482
JAMAICA ME SWEAT
D & D Marine
Bulkheads & Pilings
FITNESS CENTER
(409) 632-9200
FAX: (409) 632-9202
16708 SAN LUIS PASS
SUITE F
JAMAICA BEACH, TX 77554
Patrick Delaney
Owner / Engineer
CGCL #1027308
(409) 682-2818
Office (409) 737-3222
Fax (409) 737-5222
21502 San Luis Pass Road
P.O. Box 5333
Galveston, TX 77554
GOTCHA
These yellow stipes are placed there for handicapped people to walk on or drive wheelchairs on. Yet drivers like this one ignore the law and disrespect those handicapped
persons who need these walkways. (staff photo)
Galveston Police News - Page 3
The Sign Shop
Family Owned & Operated Since 1977
• Real Estate Signs
• Political Signs
• Bumper Stickers
• Vehicle & Boat
Lettering
• Conventions
• Trade Shows
• Jobsite Signs
• Magnetic Signs
• Banners & Decals
• US & Texas Flags
306 N. Hwy 3—League City
www.thesignshopsite.com
281-332-2718
MOST WANTED FUGITIVES
If you have any information, contact: Galveston Police Department: 409-797-3769
Galveston County Sheriffs Department 409-766-2311 or Crime Stoppers of Galveston: 409-763-8477
HORN, CLYDE DAITES
BENNETT, BRANDON WADE
B/M DOB: 12/27/1980 5-9 160
BLK BRO
LKA 33-G CEDAR TERRACE,
GALVESTON
ASSLT CAUSING BODILY INJURY
FAMILY VIOLENCE - ENHANCED
NO BOND
WM DOB 11/12/1977 5-11 185
BRO BLUE
LKA 5623 Ave K, Galveston
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY - FELONY
BOND $200,000
CONSIDER ARMED & DANGEROUS
Contact Galveston Police Department
409-797-3766 or 797-3702
409-797-3766 or 797-3702
SIFUENTES, Cesar Ramirez
L/M DOB 01/25/1975 509 250
BLK BLK
BURGLARY W/INTENT TO COMMIT ASSAULT
FELONY WARRANT 33632C
BOND $30,000
PLUS TWO OTHER FELONIES
BONDS TOTAL $61,5000
JESUS GARCIA
M/M 04/06/1936 5-9 155
Gray Bro
LKA: 311 16th St., Galveston,
TX
INDECENCY WITH A CHILD
Bond: $25,000
409-797-3766 or 797-3702
409-797-3766 or 797-3702
Complete Car Care
4701 Broadway
< (409) 763-5362 >
NUCOAT
CUSTOM PAINTING & REMODELING
MUNOZ, JOSE BERNARDO
ROBINSON, JEREMY JOHN
M/M DOB: 12/15/1980 5-6 145 BLK
BRO
LKA: 4717 AVE P 1/2
AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING FELONY
BOND $100,000
W/M DOB 26/10/1972 5-10 190
BRO GRN
Forgery Of Financial Instrument
Felony
LKA Galveston, Texas
Bond $2,000
409-797-3766 or 797-3702
Contact Galveston Police Department:
409-797-3766 or 797-3702
COMMERCIAL - RESIDENTIAL
RICK MORRISON
Pho. (409) 762-8033
Pgr. (409) 645-0983
Fax (409) 621-1085
JACKSON, MICHELLE DENISE
MALDONADO, Juan Manuel
B/F DOB: 10/23/1981 5-4 160 BLK
BRO
LKA 906 22ND ST. GALVESTON
CREDIT CARD ABUSE - 2 COUNTS FELONY
BOND $40,000 EACH COUNT
M/M DOB 20/7/1977 5-7 130
BLK BLK
LKA Galveston, Texas
409-797-3766 or 797-3702
Violations Of Protective Order
Class-A Misdemeanor
Bond $25,000
409-797-3766 or 797-3702
Joe
Carpet
Cleaning
“We Clean
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• Upholstery & Drapery Cleaning
• Stripping & Waxing
• 24 Hour Water Extractions
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Additional Rooms $12.95
Pager (409) 641-8869
(409) 256-1569
JOHNSON, JEFF LEE
MICHAEL A. GARZA
W/M DOB: 10/11/1961 5-11 190
BRO BRO
LKA: 3423 AVE M, GALVESTON
FORGERY - FELONY
BOND $20,000
M/M 09/13/1985 5-4 190 BLK BRO
LKA: 2828 61st St., Galveston, TX
BURGLARY OF HABITATION
Felony Warrant No. 46733
Bond: $50,000
409-797-3766 or 797-3702
Contact Galveston Police Department:
409-797-3766 or 797-3702
FOR UPDATES, GO TO
www.galvestonfugitives.com
City, Police, Reach Long Awaited Agreement
Following two years of tense negotiations the City of Galveston has finally
reached a work agreement with it’s police
department. GMPA President John
Bertolino says that over the three year life
of the contract, officers will realize average pay increases of nine percent, and
three percent in increased city contributions to their pension system.
Additionally officers working the evening
and night shifts will receive an increase in
shift differentials of $15 monthly.
Officers assigned to the departments Dive
Team will be paid $25.00 monthly hazardous duty pay, and K-9 officers will be
paid $400.00 monthly in accordance with
federal law pertaining to these specially
trained partners. Bi-lingual officers who
qualify by testing will be paid $75.00
additionally each month.
“The officers of the GMPA have been
working without a contract for the past
two years,” said Bertolino. “Negotiations
have been on-going, off and on, for those
two years. Our negotiations were quite
strained right up until the time we
reached this agreement.”
Bertolino said, “We think that the city
team misrepresented themselves, but we
didn‚t feel it was worth holding up a three
year contract so we sacrificed about two
percent that we felt we were entitled to.
Basically this puts to bed some pay issues
and other benefit issues. There were no
changes in the health benefits. We have
an employee board which oversees our
health plan which has gone from a $1 million deficit last year, to a $1.5 million surplus this year. We must be doing something right,” Bertolino concluded.
The agreement was reached after an
extensive salary survey of police departments in Texas City, Dickinson, League
City and Friendswood. Under the contract, another survey will be taken in the
third year and officers pay will be adjusted to meet the average pay of the surveyed departments.
In addition to the GMPA negotiating
committee the officers were represented
by CLEAT, the Combined Law
Enforcement Associations of Texas, which
is their primary bargaining representative.
CANINE UNIT SEARCHES BALL HIGH SCHOOL
GALVESTON, TX-Galveston Independent
School District Police Department conducted a narcotic search at Ball High
School recently using a trained canine as
part of its ongoing drug enforcement
efforts. The dog searched 37 classrooms
and commons areas within the school.
The search resulted in the confiscation
of several illegal substances that had been
discarded inside the school. No arrests
were made.
“Our primary goal is to counsel students
who are using drugs and to eliminate the
availability of drugs in our schools,” said
Galveston Independent School District
Superintendent Lynn Hale. “The best way
for us to eliminate drugs in the schools is
to use the canine unit and drug detection
tools to keep our schools drug free.
“The district is working with several
agencies to provide counseling for students with dependency problems,” adds
Hale. “If a student comes forward we will
make sure that they receive the help they
need.”
Community members, parents and students should report any suspicious activity in or around schools to the GISD Police
Department at 766-5811.
From The Editor
Breck Porter, Editor, Galveston Police News
December was a
good month for
Galveston Police
Officers, for the
Galveston
Municipal Police
Association and for
the Galveston Police
News.
First and foreBreck Porter
most,
our
police officers are now working under a
new contract which was hammered out
during two years of tough and sometimes strenuous negotiations, but in the
end, the officers and their families are
better off than they were two years ago.
They are still lagging behind other police
departments in Galveston County, but
thanks to a tough and determined GMPA
negotiating team and help from the
Combined
Law
Enforcement
Associations of Texas, CLEAT, headway
is being made towards bringing our officers in line with other officers in the
county. Hopefully we will soon be able to
retain career officers and stop the exodus of seasoned GPD officers from our
ranks to other law enforcement agencies.
As you may have noticed, this edition
of the Galveston Police News is in fullcolor. Thanks to a recently formed partnership with a major supporter and
advertiser, we were able to initially add
four, full-color pages and we are hopeful
that we will be able to add more in the
near future. This is a major milestone
for us and it comes with our twelth edition. With this edition we have completed one full year of publication. Next
month, February, will be Volume II,
Number 1. I want our readers to know
that the members of the GMPA have
done something that has not been done
before in the United States. It took on
the enormous task of publishing a newspaper, each and every month, for general circulation, not just inside the City of
Galveston, but throughout the entire
county. It required a lot of faith, trust
and confidence in the GMPA leadership
for the members to invest their money in
this project. Their mission was to present a publication that would provide
needed information to the community,
both residents, visitors and absentee
property owners, that they are not getting from any other source. We have
endeavored to present a publication of
community awareness that will inform
our readers about where the trouble
spots are, who the crooks, criminals and
sex offenders are, and what our police
departments are doing to protect and
serve you. You would be amazed to know
how many readers have discovered that
a next door neighbor, fellow employee, or
school mate are a wanted fugitive or convicted sex offender. Some have discovered that their daytime friend is a nighttime burglar or other breed of scoundrel.
As you can see in our Letters To The
Editor pages, our readers continue to
write, call and e-mail on all sorts of subjects, and our website visitors continue
to increase by the day. We have provided a form on the website that you may
use to report information to us via email. You may send us information
about wanted fugitives, unsolved criminal cases, suspicious activity in your
neighbors, or whatever. We have also
provided you with a direct link to
Galveston Crime Stoppers. There is also
a Crime Stoppers form which you may fill
out with information that you wish to
relate to them. Be sure to check out our
website at www.gmpaonline.com
Breck Porter
Editor
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THE MAILBOX
Dear Editor;
You had an article in your paper a couple
of months ago about some people getting
arrested that had slot machines in their
establishments. Texas has gaming jurisdiction. We have two casinos in operation and
six casino and gaming companies in Texas:
Advanced Gaming Technology, Greek Boy
Casino Corp., Hollywood Casino Corp.,
Nevada Gold and Casino, North American
Gaming, and Multimedia Games, Inc.
That means slot machines are legal here.
That arrest should never have occurred.
Proof I know what I am talking about. See
other side.
Brenda Armstead
Galveston
(Editor note: The letter was written on the
back of a printout of a lawsuit filed by Ms.
Armstead against President George W. Bush
in the Circuit Court in Walton County
Florida.
Dear Galveston Police News,
Your page 26 (December issue) feature
displaying mug shots and personal information of those arrested for prostitution is a
repulsive act of degradation and exploitation
of your community’s most down and out
members. Your actions are unconscionable
and unchristian. The prostitute is the only
victim in the crime of prostitution. These
people are already abused and in need of
serious help, not your further abuse through
public humiliation tactics. Also your feature
serves to advertise to prospective johns,
how do you feel about that? I’m asking each
of you involved to examine your hearts and
quit behaving like such pigs. If you feel an
underlying hostility and mistrust towards the
police from any part of your community,
please remember that you are simply reaping what you’ve sewn.
Toby Marsh
Laredo
Dear Breck Porter,
I am writing to voice my concerns about a
statement that you included in your article,
“Isle Woman Kidnapped in Texas Crime
Spree”, December 2004. It was good that
you reported what really happened since the
City of Galveston apparently doesn’t want
the bad publicity and we may have never
found out otherwise. But, I was surprised
that you made the comment about the
relaxed lifestyle on the West End and I am
concerned that the wrong people may now
think that we are an easy target. I would
hope that in the future you would be more
discrete and not give out anymore tips for
the bad guys.
Sincerely,
Bob Majewski
West End resident
Dear Editor,
Austin does require that you pay parking at
a meter even with a handicap license plate.
I was given a ticket and was told that it
would not be voided, that I should have put
money in the meter.....
Mary Lynne Rogers
Austin, Tx
Dear Breck,
I know all about parking as I am in a wheel
chair half of the time when I go out. I try not
to use it but there are days when the old legs
will not work. I am 100% disabled but try not
to be........
I am over here in east TN, Hamblen
County to be exact in the Smokey mountains... About 60 miles east of Knoxville and
about 70 miles south of Bristol Raceway...
Howard J. Potash
Hamblen, TN
Having read recently that Target Stores
across America had notified the Salvation
Army that it’s Bell Ringers would no longer
be permitted to solicit in front of Target
Stores during the Christmas season, the
Galveston Police News inquired of Target,
their reasoning for the decision. Below is
the response from the Target Executive
Office.
Dear Breck,
Like many nationwide retailers, Target
Corporation has a long-standing “no solicitation” policy that it consistently applies to
all organizations across all of its stores.
We receive an increasing number of solicitation inquiries from non-profit organizations
and other groups each year and determined
that if we continue to allow the Salvation
Army to solicit then it opens the door to any
other groups that wish to solicit our guests.
While some of our guests may welcome the
opportunity to support their favorite charity
or cause, allowing these organizations to
solicit means that Target would also have to
permit solicitation by organizations whose
cause or behavior may be unacceptable to
our guests.
We notified the Salvation Army of our decision in January 2004, well in advance of the
holiday season, so the organization would
have time to find alternative fundraising
sources. Target also asked the Salvation
Army to look at other ways that we could
support their organization under our corporate giving guidelines. To this date they have
not provided a proposal that fits those guidelines.
Local Salvation Army chapters can apply
for grants through their local Target stores.
For decades, many non-profit organizations
across the country have successfully worked
with Target in this manner. We are asking
the Salvation Army to work with us in the
same exact manner as the other groups and
organizations who ask to solicit our guests.
This decision in no way diminishes Target
Corporation’s commitment to its
communities. Target has one of the largest corporate philanthropy programs
in America, donating more than $2 million
continued on page 7 (Letters)
continued from page 6 (Letters)
per week and hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours each year to the communities
in which it does business.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Hanson
Target Executive Office
Dear Breck,
Houston Exempts persons with handicapped cards, plates etc. from paying, but
that policy may change. Multiple news agencies have done pieces on their misuse.
Unfortunately, some of the low life relatives
of handicapped persons seem to think it is
okay to use the placards to park all day long
downtown at the meters while the handicapped person sits at home without a ride.
Deputy Constable
Ken Wenzel
Houston
Dear Editor,
I am Sgt. Galvan With the Galveston Police
Department Warrant Division, I work for
Capt Benavidez in (C.I.D.) Criminal
Investigation Division. I would personally like
to thank the Citizen Police Academy Alumni
for there total dedication and support for the
following:
On November 22, 2004 the Citizen Police
Academy Alumni helped the Galveston
Police Department’s Warrant division fill out
over (1,000) one thousand Warrant Folders.
This was a very large task that I asked of
them, I needed them to come to the station
and help sort out and write every name on a
folder of every wanted person wanted thru
our department.
Eleven Alumni people showed up and it
took half a day to complete the task at hand.
This saved the Warrant Division time and
most of all it let us have more time to hunt
the Wanted Fugitives down on the streets,
This would have taken myself and my
Partner, Officer Allred–almost two weeks to
do and they got it done in just half a day.
We came together as a team with the help
of the following personnel; Elliot Jennings of
the Emergency Ops let us use the
Emergency Operation Room, Norma Horton,
Supervisor of dispatch got all her dispatcher
personnel to enter almost 400 warrants into
the State Computer (T.C.I.C.).
Thanks to all the Galveston Police
Dispatchers hard work and sweat we got it
done, these dispatchers aren’t thanked
enough. Chief Mack also stopped by to
thank the Alumni. Thank you to all involved;
Capt. Benavidez, Elliot Jennings, Norma
Horton and all of her wonderful dispatchers,
The Citizens Police Alumni Jack Danner–for
coordinating all the help, Vera Danner, John
Milligan, Doris Milligan, Gloria Guisti, Ida
Zeigler, Henry Ferrino, Jack Sorensen, Frank
Nicholas, Frank Mills, and Craig Lauck.
I almost forgot Breck Porter for all the
hard work building the wanted fugitives WebPage, “Mr. Porter I can’t thank you enough.”
Visit the Web Page at Galvestonpd.com and
go to the Wanted Fugitives Site and see if
you see someone you know.
Sgt. Galvan 826
Warrant Division
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THE POLICE BEAT
November Arrest Sheets
To view complete arrest sheets go to www.gpdarrests.com
NAME
(BLOCK) / STREET
ARREST LOCATION
(COUNTS) CHARGE
NOVEMBER 16, 2004
VALERIE, ANTIONETT
HERNANDEZ, FRANK
ARCHIE, AUDIE R.
DELANGEL, JOQIEN
TIDWELL, WALTER I.
(2800) BALL
(3200) SEAWALL
(4000) BROADWAY
(900) 22ND ST
5002 SEALY
(1) Assault causing bodily injury
(1) Ran red light
(1) Evading arrest; (1) Resisting arrest
(1) Public intoxication
(4) Warrant: outside agency
FLORENCE, JOSEPH
1213 50TH ST
(3) Failure to appear; (1) Fail to maintain
financial responsibility; (1) No driver’s
license; (1) Operate MV w/o 2 plates
SANDERS, MARCUS
JONES, CARL E.
1017 30TH ST
(800) 27TH ST
BRANDON, DAMON
(700) 28TH ST
DENTON, PATRICK R
(2) No driver’s license; (1) Improper
change of lanes; (6) Failure to appear; (1)
(3400) BROADWAY
Fail to maintain financial responsibility; (2)
Speeding
BROUSSARD, KESEA
CARRUTH, THOMAS
(4100) BALL
(4400) AVE T
1) Public intoxication
BUTLER, EBONY L.
(1200) 27TH ST
(3) Failure to appear; (2) Speeding; (1)
Fail to report change of address; (1) Fail
to maintain financial responsibility
MENDEZ, FREDA
HOFF, GERALD
RUFFIN, JAMES E.
(2700) AVE O
2824 CHURCH
2824 CHURCH
CARTER, COREY B.
(2900) CHURCH
COLLINS, DELANO R,
(700) 29TH ST
HOGUES, KEVIN S.
(2900) BALL
SCHULTZ, DALE R.
802 SEAWALL
WHITE, RICKY N.
(2300) BROADWAY Consume alcholic beverage where prohibited
8020 STEWART RD (1) Assault by contact
(1) Failure to appear; (1) Unregistered bicycle
(1600) 22ND ST
2517 BALL
(1) Speeding
(1) Assault causing bodily injury; (1)
4321 AVE P
Warrant: outside agency
(4100) BALL
5002 SEAWALL
(1) Criminal trespass
SHAW,JR., TIMMY
ANDERSON, JOHN J.
REED, DERRICK W.
PETTEWAY, LEON W.
HAWTHORNE, SHARO
PRZYBYLA, JOHN D.
(1) Unauthorized use of MV
(1) Possession controlled substance # 28gms
(1) Fail to maintain financial responsibility; (1) No driver’s license; (1) Ran
stop sign; (3) Failure to appear
(3) Failure to appear; (1) Fail to maintain
financial responsibility; (1) Following too
close; (1) Expired MV registration
(2) Failure to appear; (1) Impeding traffic;
(1) Fail to maintain financial responsibility
(1) Driving w/ license suspended; (3)
Failure to appear; (1) No driver’s license;
(1) Expired MV inspection
(1) Trespass; (2) Failure to appear; (1)
NOVEMBER 17, 2004
HILL, NORRIS J.
RICHIE, CONCETTA
TOWNSEND, TINA M
COMPTON, ANTONIO
BILLINGSLEY, KENNE
(600) 29TH ST
(3300) SEAWALL
(400) CHURCH
(1) Trespass; (1) Failure to appear
(1) Poss. controlled substance
(1) Aggressive panhandling; (1) Failure
to appear
(1) No driver’s license; (2) No driver’s
license; (2) Fail to maintain financial respon(5900) BROADWAY sibility; (7) Failure to appear; (1) Expired MV
registration; (1) Expired MV inspection
(1) No driver’s license; (1) Fail to maintain
financial responsibility; (2) Failure to
(900) BROADWAY
appear
CALIGONE, KEVIN D.
BUSBY, CHARLES C.
MCINTOSH, DWIGHT
2517 BALL
5730 SEAWALL
715 19TH ST
HERRMANN, MICHAE
2517 BALL
(1) Assault by contact
(1) Theft:<$50
(1) Theft:>$1500<$20K
(1) Disregard official traffic control
device/markings
All Items in Police Beat are based on official police reports of events.
GRID BLOCK
LOCATION
001
300 SEAWALL
002
900 N FERRY RD
002
300 N FERRY RD
002
500 N FERRY RD
002
LYNCREST DR
002
900 N FERRY RD
002
900 N FERRY RD
002
100 FT POINT
002
900 N FERRY RD
002
300 N FERRY RD
002
300 N FERRY RD
003
200 TUNA AVE
003
BONITA DR
003
7000 N. HOLIDAY DR.
003
900 MARINE
003
500 N. HOLIDAY DR.
004
200 MARKET
005
300 CHURCH
005
300 CHURCH
006
800 HARBORSIDE
006
700 N. HOLIDAY DR.
006
700 N. HOLIDAY DR.
007
800 STRAND
007
800 STRAND
007
800 STRAND
007
1700 LASKER DR.
008
400 POSTOFFICE
008
700 4TH ST.
008
500 MARKET
008
700 4TH ST.
008
500 MARKET
009
700 CHURCH
009
600 7TH ST.
009
700 8TH ST.
010
010
010
010
600
800
700
DATE
11/17
11/21
11/22
11/23
11/24
11/26
11/28
11/29
11/30
12/1
12/4
11/18
11/22
12/2
12/2
12/2
12/1
11/23
12/6
11/16
12/2
12/9
11/16
11/22
11/23
12/2
11/16
11/18
11/18
11/21
11/24
11/30
12/7
12/9
8TH ST.
11/27
BROADWAY
BALL
SEALY
12/1
12/6
12/9
REPORT
PROPERTY: B/BE*
SIMPLE ASSAULT
THEFT from Motor Vehicle
MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSE
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
DRUNKENNESS
THEFT from Motor Vehicle
FRAUD:CC/ATM*
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
FORCIBLE RAPE
PROPERTY: D/D/V*
FOUND PROPERTY
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
LARCENY
LARCENY; DRUG/NARC VIOLATION
DRUNKENNESS
INTIMIDATION
LARCENY; PROPERTY: D/D/V*
LARCENY
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
LARCENY
PROPERTY: D/D/V*
ROBBERY
FORCIBLE RAPE
OVERDOSE
FORCIBLE RAPE
FORCIBLE RAPE
PHYSICAL WELFARE CHECK
DRUG/NARC VIOLATION
PROPERTY: D/D/V*
LARCENY
LARCENY
SIMPLE ASSAULT
ROBBERY
WEAPON LAW VIOLATION;DRUG/NARC
VIOLATION
LOST/MISSING PROPERTY
DRUG/NARC VIOLATION
PHYSICAL WELFARE CHECK
For the complete monthly report of police calls made in Galveston, visit on the web
www.galvestonpolicebeat.com
LEGEND of ABBREVIATIONS
B/BE = burglary/breaking and entering
C-O M/D = theft involving a coin-operated machine or device
CC/ATM = credit card or ATM machine fraud
D/D/V = damage/destruction/vandalism
DUI = driving under the influence
EV = gambling equipment violations
FP/S/C = fraud involving false pretenses/swindling/confidence
MV p/a = theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories
NVO = non-violent family offense
O/P/A = operating, promoting or assisting gambling offense
RSV, NL = recovered stolen vehicle, non-local
ST = sports tampering
VICIOUS ANIMALS = keeping vicious animals where prohibited
CHEATING DEATH STORIES
The information for these stories come from the IACP Kevlar Survivors Club.
Hernandez, Eddie Christopher
Officer, Conroe, TX. Police Department
Incident classification: Assault with a handgun
his chest from less than three feet. The gun
battle continued until Officer Hernandez
was able to deliver a fatal wound.
Saturday, July 2, 2000 at 0210 hours
Officer Hernandez initiated a traffic stop of
a pickup truck. As the truck slowed, an
individual hiding in the cargo bed popped
up and leaped from the slowly moving
truck. Officer Hernandez pursued this subject but quickly lost contact. Hernandez
returned to his patrol car and overtook the
pickup truck. A second subject was hiding
in the cargo bed. Officer Hernandez called
for backup but before assistance arrived,
the individual hiding in the truck bed
jumped from the truck and began running.
Hernandez pursued the subject on foot
and overtook him, at which time the subject turned, pointed a .357 caliber pistol at
Officer Hernandez and fired. Hernandez
grabbed the barrel of the assailant’s pistol,
drew his own weapon and fired. Officer
Hernandez was shot in both hands and the
chest. His personal protective body armor
stopped the .357 bullet that was fired into
Stuart, Scott T.
Officer, Carrollton, TX. Police Department
Incident classification: Assault with a
handgun
Wednesday, August 20, 2003 at 0457
hours – Officer Stuart was engaged as a
member of a tactical team executing a
search warrant related to a drug investigation at an apartment building. The officers
made entry and were securing the site
when a 20-year-old male opened fire with a
.45 caliber pistol, firing six bullets. Officer
Stuart was closer than five feet to the
shooter. One bullet passed through
Stuart’s left forearm, smashed through his
protective goggles, and struck his forehead
above the right eyebrow. The bullet penetrated the skin, traveled around the outside
of Stuart’s skull and exited behind his right
ear. A second bullet struck Officer Stuart
center front torso and was stopped by his
tactical vest. Officer Stuart was able to
walk from the apartment to EMS personnel
assigned with the team. Other members of
the tactical team took up defensive positions, and the shooter surrendered. Officer
Stuart was hospitalized for three days and
underwent surgery for the wounds to his
arm and head. He has returned to duty.
The shooter was arrested and charged with
attempted capital murder of a police officer.
Brannen, Truett
Sergeant, Duncanville, TX. Police Department
motor vehicle
Tuesday, January 7, 1997 at 0100 hours
Sergeant Brannen was working a traffic
crash on a snow covered highway when a
second traffic crash occurred. A female
driver involved in the second crash exited
her vehicle. Sergeant Brannen observed
another motorist bearing down on the
female pedestrian, and he took action to
move her from harm’s way. The driver of
the vehicle hit both Sergeant Brannen and
the female pedestrian. It was determined
that the driver of the car that hit Sergeant
Brannen and the female was intoxicated.
Sergeant Brannen was hospitalized for
injuries to his head and below the waist.
His ballistic vest protected his vital organs.
White, Marc V.
Officer, Slaton, TX. Police Department
motor vehicle
Saturday, March 05, 1994 at 0330
hours—Officer Marc V. White was involved
in a motor vehicle crash. He had responded as backup for another officer who had
made a traffic stop and subsequent arrest
for DUI. Officer White was detailed to
inventory the arrestee’s vehicle and await
arrival of a wrecker. After completing the
inventory, Officer White was seated in his
patrol car with emergency warning lights
activated parked on the shoulder of the
roadway to the rear of the vehicle that was
being impounded.
continued on page 11 (Cheating Death)
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continued from front page (Antichevich)
debris…about 200 men and boys took hold of the
rope and after some minutes of swaying…brought
the entire mass of brick and mortar to the
ground.”
Following his service as a firefighter,
Antichevich became a Galveston Police Officer
and served mightily until 1931. He was the City’s
first motorcycle patrol, riding a 1920 Harley
Davidson, which ran in excess of 80 mph. One
day, Antichevich created quite a stir with his technique of delivering a prisoner, handcuffed and
seated behind him on his motorcycle, to the
police station. Having no patrolman to assist
him, Antichevich took out his handcuffs, made
the prisoner sit on the rear of the seat, he then
took the front seat and handcuffed the prisoners
hands to his waist. Having secured the situation,
he rode serenely to the police station.
In addition to his motorcycling skills,
Antichevich was an excellent horseman, noted for
his coolness and presence of mind in the face of
danger. According to newspaper archives, while
patrolling the wharf area along Ave C, he narrowly escaped serious injury, as a hundred pedestrians watched, his horse became a wild runaway,
thundering towards 24th Street when a heavy
wagon, drawn by a span of horses crossed paths.
Antichevich, anticipating the collision, made a
desperate drag at the reins, checking the flight of
the horse momentarily, the result being that the
horse brushed the tailboard of the wagon with its
foam-flecked flank–and fell. The rider was
thrown, but contrived to jump clear of the animal
as it rolled into the street.” The horse’s shoulder
was broken but Antichevich escaped with minor
bruises.
A tenacious and steadfast detective, Antichevich
was a man dedicated to pursuing those of bad
character and reportedly even gave some Houston
police officers a lesson about “How to Grapple
With Man Behind the Gun.” Antichevich had a
John N. Antichevich as a Galveston firefighter in 1906
duel with a Mexican gunman he had been sent to
arrest in Houston. During the course of the gun
play, he was fired at five times and he returned
fire, shot for shot, until his revolver was empty and
the gunman fled. Early the next morning,
Antichevich returned to Houston to get his man.
He reported the following, “At first we could not
locate him and the Houston detectives said they
would go back to the station and I could watch for
him. If I got sight of him I was to call the Houston
station for assistance. I waited awhile and then I
saw him (the gunman). I followed him for three
and a half or four miles, to the outskirts of the city
where he climbed the railroad track. I tried to get
some men to help me, but they refused…I took my
stand behind a cattle guard, knowing he would
have to pass. Soon he was upon me and as he
passed I jumped out and grabbed him. I threw
him to the ground and as I did I felt the butt of a
revolver against my arm. I took his revolver and
placed the handcuffs on him. I then phoned for
the Houston police, telling them I had my man.”
Antichevich was also responsible for the arrest
of highwayman Price Washer, who had fled police
custody from the operating room at the Galveston
County Jail. Doctors were preparing to remove a
bullet from the wounded Washer. He had suffered
the gun shot wound while robbing a local grocery
man. Officer Antichevich was notified of the
escape and pursued the fugitive on his motorcycle. He made a preliminary search around the
wharf area, then boarded a dredge boat at Pier 18
and found the highwayman on a bunk, hidden
under blankets.
Officer Antichevich was a man of compassion, as
evidenced by a letter written by a young runaway boy
from Tyler, Texas. The boy thanked him for “being the
best policeman he ever met” and that “his mother
was relieved and appreciative that he was back in
school.” Antichevich had taken the young runaway to
a restaurant to appease his hunger and to offer some
kind counsel.
Antichevich also arrested two Galveston men for
drunkenness and using loud, vulgar talk. Upon
delivering them to the police station, he decided to
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continued on next page (Antichevich)
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let the drunks go free, on the condition that they
promised to go home and not use anymore loud,
foul talk. The drunken men readily agreed and
were released. Officer Antichevich told the police
clerk, “They are not really bad men, but they just
worry an officer when they take to drinking.”
A labor promoter also found Officer Antichevich a
pleasant person. According to news reports, the
promoter, a small, meek man, was sent to Galveston
to “colonize Negros.” The promoter had claimed
squatters rights on a block of ground on Church
Street and had set the place alive with local carpenters, bricklayers, electricians, managers, stenographers and private secretaries and generally was creating a big nuisance. The man was charged with
disturbing the peace and vagrancy and fined
$100.00 or given the option to leave the county.
Officer Antichevich escorted him to the far end of
the causeway and the promoter had the following
farewell, “You all’s been mighty good to me in
Galveston, but I believe I’ll do better next time. I
think I’ll hit San’tone this time. So long.”
Antichevich was a champion heavy weight
wrestler. His opponents were wrestling champions
from throughout the United States. He wrestled
world champion Frank Gotch and defeated Kid
Smith and Minnesota heavy weight champion Chris
Person. Antichevich participated in what was
hailed by the local papers as “the greatest wrestling
match ever seen in Beaumont” The event was held
at the Hippodrome with contender champion Chief
Montour, a famed, full blooded Indian wrestler.
Until this match, Antichevich had never been
thrown in a match of his class and was known as a
mat artist of great ability. Additionally, he was the
recipient of the Southern Association Amateur
Athletic Union silver medal.
Since 1972
Retired H.P.D.
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continued from previous page (Antichevich)
A title holder of track and field events,
Antichevich often participated in a “nearmarathon” that was held between Seventeenth and
Twenty-second streets. The runners participated in
water sports, then ran a three mile distance in
about five laps. He was considered one of the
city’s best sprinters. Additionally he set a record
for sailing the 12-pound shot put thirty eight feet
and five inches (38.5 ft.) and the 16-pound shot put
thirty one feet and four inches (31.4 ft.).
Antichevichs’ record setting feats were not limited to athletics; he was also a superb gardener. At
1
his residence at 2709 Avenue P ⁄2, he planted several varieties of cantaloupe, harvesting a “wonder”
melon which weighed in at 18 lbs. The green
thumbed adventurer stated that “his plants were
grown in the white sand and received little attention
and no soil or fertilizer.”
In the summer of 1922, Antichevich returned to
his homeland and toured Southeastern Europe for
a seven month stay. Following his police career, he
transferred to the City of Galveston Water
Department where he worked until 1944. In 1944,
he accepted a position as a maintenance man at
St. Mary’s Orphanage, which is now the campus of
Galveston College, and worked there the remainder
of his life until his death in 1956. John N.
Antichevich is buried in the Galveston Catholic
Cemetery on Broadway. His dates of birth and
death are not clear but he was buried there on
June 18, 1956.
We wish to thank Mrs. Mary Antichevich Rourke
of Galveston, a niece of John Antichevich, for making his personal album available to us for this story.
Editor
continued from page 9 (Cheating Death)
Skeide, Timothy E.
Deputy, Robertson
Department
County,
TX,
Sheriffs
Incident classification: Assault with a motor vehicle
Sunday, November 21, 1999 at 2317 hours—
Deputy Skeide stopped to assist a stranded
motorist on Highway 6. He found that the motorist
had a dead battery, so he turned his patrol car
around to allow use of jumper cables. Deputy
Skeide opened the passenger door of his patrol car
to use the mobile radio. At that moment a motorist
swerved into the open door pinning Deputy Skeide
between the door and the support pillar of the
patrol car. The motorist fled the scene after hitting
the patrol car. Deputy Skeide was treated and
released. He avoided serious physical injury or
death by wearing personal body armor. The
motorist was located by other units shortly after the
accident and was arrested for DUI and leaving the
scene of a personal injury traffic crash.
Hernandez, Frank J.
Deputy, Bell County, TX, Sheriffs Department
Incident classification: Automobile accident
Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 0705 hours—
Deputy Hernandez made a life-saving decision on
September 9, 2001, when he inserted a metal
armadillo plate into his protective body armor. On
Tuesday, Septemeber 11, 2001, Hernandez had
just completed his midnight patrol watch and was
driving home. It was 7:05 am when for reasons
unknown, Hernandez impacted with a manufactured home that was being towed. A 4’ x 2” x 6”
wood beam used in the construction of the manu-
factured home penetrated the front of the patrol
car and was deflected to the left side of
Hernandez’s torso, passing through his body.
Hernandez’s patrol car was then involved in a secondary impact with a passenger vehicle that was
following the manufactured home and went off the
roadway over a hill into a creek bed, where it was
hidden from view by the foliage. He was pinned in
his demolished patrol car by the beam that was
protruding from his front and back. For an extended period, it was believed that the patrol vehicle
had been driven from the accident scene, until it
was found in the creek bed with Hernandez pinned
inside. It was nearly three hours later before he was
extricated from the vehicle and taken to a trauma
center with the beam sill in him. Attending physicians noted that the only reason that Hernandez
survived was because of the protective body armor
and metal trauma plate that diverted the beam
away from vital organs. Deputy Hernandez has
returned to modified duty for rehabilitation and
plans to return to full duty. He has promised himself that he will always wear body armor with a
metal trauma plate.
refused to answer the door, and it was evident that
he was in the apartment. The warrant officers
made forced entry and encountered the suspect
armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol.
Deputies Anderson and Rangel responded also, as
members of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department
tactical team. After lengthy negotiations failed, the
tactical team was ordered to make entry. Deputy
Rangel was on the point of the stack equipped with
a ballistic shield, and Deputy Anderson was the
second person in the stack. As the team entered,
the suspect fired one round that struck the ballistic
shield in front of Deputy Rangel, ricocheted and
struck Deputy Anderson on the left side at mid
torso. The bullet was stopped by his tactical vest. A
tactical team officer returned fire, and the suspect
was justifiably killed. Deputy Rangel was not
injured, and Deputy Anderson was treated for a
bruise. Both deputies have returned to duty.
KIBBE APPLIANCE
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Anderson, Hugh W.
Deputy, San Antonio, TX, Sheriffs Department
Rangel, Chris
Deputy, San Antonio, TX, Sheriffs Department
Incident classification: Assault with a handgun
Wednesday, January 8, 2003 at 0350 hours—
The incident began Tuesday evening when warrant
officers attempted to arrest a suspect on a felony
driving under the influence warrant and four misdemeanor warrants, all traffic-related. The suspect
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INTERNATIONAL CAR CARE
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1328 Postoffice
4 Blocks from UTMB
San Jacinto Community Garden
sells monthly calendar for charity
WESTERN
Galveston County Daily News
Members of the San Jacinto Community
Garden in Galveston have created a monthly
calendar to raise funds to support the ongoing
operating expenses of the garden.
The mission of the San Jacinto Community
Garden is to provide an opportunity for all
FRIED CHICKEN
AND DELI
• Great Fried Chicken • Baked Chicken
• Fried Shrimp • Fried Fish
• Baked Turkey Legs
Jacinto Neighborhood paradise.”
The 2005 calendars feature color photographs of the Community Garden and cost
$12.50 each or two for $20.
Calendars are on sale during Open Garden
day on most Saturdays beginning at 10 a.m.
IN ARLAN’S SUPERMARKET
25TH & Avenue P
762-5116
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Galveston, TX 77550
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Santa Fe, Texas 77517
DITV COMMUNICATIONS
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Computers: New & Repair
Surveillance & Monitoring
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409-741-DITV (3488)
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6502 STEWART
GALVESTON
Members of the San Jacinto Neighborhood Community Garden are from left to right: Patrick Sully,
Wayne O’Quin, Kitty Allen, Brenda Donaloio, Kay Sandor, Debra Danburg, Alice O’Quin, Kathryn
Dawson andGary Delzer. (staff photo)
people in the San Jacinto neighborhood to
participate in community gardening.
“The garden is one of those surprising good
things that comes along and restores hope,”
said community gardener Marsha Scoggin.
“It happens because someone cares enough
about the neighborhood and their neighbors
to invest their time and effort, and in this selfabsorbed culture, that’s a hopeful thing.”
“We saw the land go from a litter-strewn,
rarely mowed eyesore to our own little San
at 2005 Ave. N 1⁄2 .
They can also be ordered from Brenda
Donaloio at (409) 750-8915 or e-mail: [email protected].
The San Jacinto Community Garden is
linked with Urban Harvest, a Houston-based
organization that promotes community gardening. Look for the history and pictures of
this neighborhood garden in the Director of
Gardens at the Urban Harvest website:
www.urbanharvest.org
GOTCHA
The sign on the pole right in front of this car says HANDICAP PARKING
ONLY. This car displays no handicap license plate or placard. We wonder
if we put up a sign that says PARKING FOR JERKS ONLY, if they would still
park there. (staff photo)
HATMAKER CHIROPRACTIC
is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. John Massare as well as
announce our new location at 1021 61st St., Galveston, Texas
(directly across from our previous location)
Michelle Hatmaker,
Clinic Director
As our way of saying “Thank You for
Your Contribution to Our
Community!” we are introducing our
Galveston County First Responders
VIP Program
(See invitation below. GCFR VIP
Program is for preventative or maintenance care only. New conditions that
require more intensive care may not
qualify, i.e. Auto Accidents, Work
Comp Injuries, etc.)
Dr. John Massare
What can Chiropractic do for you? We may be able to help with the following:
• Headaches
• Carpal Tunnel
• Migraines
• Shoulder Injuries
• Low Back Pain
• Foot Pain
• Chronic Pain / Injuries
• Arthritis
• Sciatic / Leg Pain
• Dizziness & Fatigue
• Tension Related Illnesses
• TMJ (Jaw Pain)
• Neck & Shoulder Pain
• Sports Injuries
• Whiplash
• Work Injuries
• Hip Pain
• Ankle Injuries
• Arm Pain
• Relief without Drugs
Call Today for Your Appointment
409-740-6800
VIP GC FIRST RESPONDERS GOLD PASSPORT
This certificate entitles all Galveston County First Responders to all New
Patient Services including Consultation, Examination and Spinal X-Rays.*
(A Value of up to $250.00)
SPECIAL RATE $50.00
Hatmaker Chiropractic
1021 61st St., Galveston, Texas 77551
409-740-6800
* Spinal X-Rays only taken if indicated. This certificate has no cash value after purchase & may only be used for future New Patient Services.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott
Fights To Protect Constitutionality Of
Civil Commitment For Sexual Predators
Texas Solicitor General argues
before the Texas Supreme Court
AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Abbott
defended a state law that keeps violent
sexual predators under strict supervision
and treatment after release from prison.
The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments in November on a challenge to the
constitutionality of the state’s “civil commitment” law.
“We’re defending a law that establishes
an efficient, multi-tiered system for identifying predators who are most prone to
repeat violent sex crimes,” Attorney
General Abbott said. “To do otherwise
poses too great a risk to the public. The
state must apply this long-term program to
make sure these individuals remain under
watch and in treatment, hopefully to cure
them of behaviors that would cause them
to re-offend. This approach is corrective
and preventative, not punitive.”
The case was being argued on appeal
from the 13th Circuit Court of Appeals in
Corpus Christi, which found the state’s
civil commitment statute punitive and
unconstitutional as applied to offender
Michael Fisher, whose history of rape and
assault led to the unanimous jury verdict
that he was a dangerous sexual predator.
The appeals court ruled that the statute
may not be applied to a mentally incompetent individual such as Fisher.
Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz, who
argued the state’s case, echoed Abbott’s
commitment to use the program to track
sexual predators: “Texas has a solemn
obligation to protect our citizens and to
ensure that repeat sexual predators cannot prey on our most vulnerable. The U.S.
Supreme Court and every other court in
the nation that has addressed this issue
has upheld the constitutionality of these
laws. We are confident that the Texas
Supreme Court will return Texas to the
national consensus that states can act
preventively to ensure that predators
receive treatment and careful supervision.”
In October 2000, a district court initially
heard sufficient evidence to conclude that
Fisher, a schizophrenic, suffered from a
behavioral abnormality that would predispose him to prey upon victims and commit
violent sexual assaults. At that point, the
lower court ordered him committed for
outpatient treatment and supervision,
which includes restrictions on residence
and social contacts, among other safeguards. Fisher appealed to the 13th
Circuit Court on the
grounds that the
statute was criminal in
nature and should not
apply to individuals
who lack mental competency.
GOTCHA
Drivers like this one defy the law because they feel safe that no one
is going to do anything about them parking in these restricted zones.
The truly disabled people are not only being abused by these drivers
but by those hired to prevent this type of abuse. (staff photo)
Citizen Cops Kick It Up A
Notch For Mounted Police
L-R Mills, Danner,Kaplan,Weems,Arcenaux,Collins, Lauck
The Mounted Police Unit of the Galveston
Police Department, desperate for an influx of
cash to repair dilapidated horse stalls, and
replace worn saddle blankets, have been
awarded $14 hundred dollars in cash by the
Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.
Following the election of new officers for
2005, the alumni voted unanimously to turn
over the cash account to the mounted unit following a request by Sergeant Carmen Parker,
the unit commander. Parker explained to
members, gathered for the annual Christmas
party and election, that following efforts to
raise funds through donations, there had been
very little public support. The officers are a
volunteer unit which receive no financial support from the city although the city does provide property for stables and training and a
truck and horse trailer.
Prior to voting approval of the funds, mem-
bers called on Police Chief Kenneth Mack for
his recommendation on how the money could
best be used. Mack replied, “There are needs
everywhere in our department. Is there a need
in the Mounted Patrol? Yes, there is!” With
that, members cast a unanimous vote in favor
of awarding the cash to the Mounted Patrol
Unit.
New officers elected to serve in 2005 are
Ivan Arcenaux, President; Craig Lauck, Vice
President; Amelia Collins, Secretary; Jack
Danner, Treasurer; and Frank Kaplan and
Frank Mills, alternate board members.
Sergeant Parker announced the appointment of Officer Kenneth Weems as the department liaison officer to the alumni association
replacing Officer John Blackwell. Blackwell
was applauded for his service to the group
throughout 2004.
Who was the first female sheriff?
By: Glen Dodson
The Cleveland Advocate
In a recent article about Loving County,
Texas, I made mention of Edna Clayton.
Loving County folks claim that Edna was the
first woman to be elected sheriff in Texas. She
was elected Sheriff/Tax Assessor/ Collector of
Loving County in 1944 and took office January
1, 1945. She later served 6 terms as County
and District Clerk.
Well this put me to doing some research and
I came up with this information. According to
the Handbook of Texas, the first woman sheriff in Texas is Emma Susan Daugherty
Banister. In fact, she is probably the first
woman sheriff in the United States. She was
the daughter of Bailey and Martha Ann (Taylor)
Daugherty, born in Forney, Texas, October 20,
1871.
Her father had come from Alabama before
the Civil War and was murdered in 1878. Her
mother remarried and with two or three years,
Emma left home and went to live with the family of her uncle.
Upon completion of school, she did studies
to become a teacher. She later taught in
Turkey Creek, Mills County, and at Needmore
(now Echo) on Jim Ned Creek in Coleman
County.
September 25, 1894, she married John R.
Bannister in Goldthwaite, Texas. Bannister was
a former Texas Ranger and special agent for
the United States Treasury Department. The
couple finally settled down in Santa Anna.
Bannister began working for the Texas Cattle
Raisers’ Association and organized its Field
Inspection Service, of which he became its
first chief.
In 1914, Bannister was elected sheriff of
Coleman County and the family moved from
the farm to the first floor of the Coleman
County Jail.
It was here that Emma served as John’s
office deputy, buying supplies, running her
household and also oversaw the preparation of
meals for the family and for the prisoners.Back
at that time, it was not unusual for the sheriff
and his family to live in the county jail. I
remember Sheriff Carl Black and his family
residing in the Milam County Jail House where
Mrs. Black also fixed meals for the prisoners
as well as her family.
On August 1, 1918, the sheriff died and the
Coleman County Commissioners appointed
his wife Emma to complete out the term of the
office. She later declined an offer by the commissioners to have her name placed on the
ballot for the November elections for a further
term in office. When her term as sheriff ended,
she and the family moved back to the farm at
Santa Anna. She was succeeded by W.R.
Hamilton. Emma died in the Brownwood
Memorial Hospital June 4, 1956, and is buried
at Santa Anna.
Of course, the claim that Emma was the first
woman sheriff in the United States is challenged. Graves County, Kentucky, claims Mary
Lois Roach who served from 1922 - 1927 as
the first woman sheriff while Kiowa County,
Kansas lays claim to Mabel Chase who served
as their sheriff from 1926-19??.
Some other firsts for women sheriffs include:
“The Unofficial “Sheriff” is Mrs. James Latty of
Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, in 1870.
Now what “unofficial” means, I’m not quite
sure.
GPMF Awards Scholarships
Four students have been awarded scholarship money by the Galveston Police
Memorial Foundation. Checks for $350
were presented recently during the annual Christmas party of the Galveston
Municipal Police Association to the students who were selected by the groups
scholarship committee.
GPMF President, Rick McCullor says
that the annual scholarships are awarded
each year in memory of police officers
who have given their lives in the performance of their duties.
The 2004 recipients are Ariel Franny
Gonzales, attending the University of
Texas in Austin pursuing a degree in biology; Maria M. Trevino, a student at
College of the Mainland studying bilingual
education; Elissa Marie Gomez, a psychology student at St.Edwards University
in Austin; and Jennifer Elizabeth Casso, a
student at Galveston College of Nursing.
Since
1979
Rugs
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Custom Windows
Wood & Laminate
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GALVESTON
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FLOORING: 409-762-5244
FURNITURE: 409-762-3213
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L-R) John Bertolino, President GMPA; Jeremy Smart, GPMF Director; Jennifer Casso, Maria Trevino,
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(409) 744-1831
Fire Cops Have Big Job In Galveston
GPN Staff Report
Many are not aware, but inside the
Galveston Fire Department is a very small
police department. It is better known as
the office of the Galveston Fire Marshal
and it’s members are fully certified Texas
Peace Officers charged with the enforcement of local ordinances and state and
federal laws governing fire safety.
However, their authority is not limited to
such cases. These officers have the full
power of arrest, for any violation of any
state or local law, as any other peace officer in the state. Some are certified fire
fighters and at one time actually served as
fire fighters. Others are trained investigators or former police officers, having spent
their careers in that capacity.
These men and women have many
duties within the Galveston Fire Marshals
Office. In addition to investigating suspicious fires and threats of arson, Fire
Inspectors conduct inspections of commercial, industrial and public buildings to
insure that they are in compliance with
municipal codes and ordinances as to fire
hazards and fire protection equipment.
When it is determined that violations exists
they take action to secure compliance. In
other words, they issue citations and make
arrests. Their primary function, of course,
is fire prevention. The Fire Marshal and
his Inspectors speak to school classes
throughout the city and assist businesses
with maintaining fire prevention equipment and devices.
Larger cities employ Fire Inspectors and
Arson Investigators but in the Galveston
Fire Department they are one and the
same. As with many cities the size of
Galveston, employee’s many times serve
in many capacities. Only recently has the
Fire Marshal’s Office increased to four offi-
cers with the addition of Inspectors Jose
Salinas and Natalie Johnson at the beginning of 2004. Prior to that, it was only the
Fire
Marshal,
Gilbert Robinson
and one Inspector,
Chris Harrison.
The broad scope
of duties require
that these officers
assist with city code
enforcement officers, public works
and police officials
and health department agents. They
are called on to
assist in investigating environmental
crimes and to inspect wrecker yards,
repair garages and service stations. An
inspector’s day may begin with the inspection of a day care facility and before the
day is over, conducting a fire investigation,
running backup for a city or county police
officer, issuing a traffic or parking citation
or making arrests.
Salinas and Assistant Fire Marshal Chris
Harrison are involved in environmental
crimes and have been receiving specialized training in these duties. Salinas told
the Galveston Police News, “It’s not
uncommon to find us rooting around a
trash pile in search of clues to its previous
owner. It may lead to a felony charge
against violator. A few investigations have
resulted in quick compliance.”
Fire Marshal Robinson says, “We have
taken a more pro-active approach towards
fire prevention, the more businesses that
are in compliance, the less likely the
chance that they may experience a fire.
Fire prevention benefits everyone.”
One of the highest recorded violations
that investigators find at business establishments is the requirement for the business address to be displayed, clearly visible from the roadway with four inch high
numbers. This violation accounted for
378 of the 4,463 violations cited by
inspectors since the first of this year.
Exit signs in business places are another
common violation often documented. This
year there have been 241 instances of this
violation. The requirement for emergency
lighting inside buildings brought 236 citations. The Fire Marshals Office reports
that of the 4,463 violations cited during
the reporting period, business owners corrected 2,106 of them or 47%.
Persons who believe that there are fire
hazards in their neighborhoods, businesses or schools should contact the Galveston
Fire Marshals Office (409) 621-3190.
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James Porter, 33, was sentenced in the
March, 2001 burglary of a Denton County
building and received a 5-year prison sentence. Soon after being released on parole
Porter shot and killed a 40-year old transient
in Denton County and dumped his body in a
water well. While serving time for that murder,
he entered the dayroom in the penitentiary
and killed another inmate with a rock in a pillowcase and a homemade knife that he had
concealed in his boot. He is schedule to die by
lethal injection on January 4, 2005
Jose Garcia Briseno is now 47-years old. On
January 1, 1991 Briseno and an accomplice,
Alberto Gonzalez, broke into the home of
Dimmit County Sheriff Ben “Doc” Murray at
811 9th Street in Carrizo Springs, Texas and
stabbed and shot him to death. There was a
violent struggle and the sheriff suffered
numerous stabs wounds. The knife was found
buried in his chest. He had also been shot
once in the head. Briseno and Gonzalez
reportedly killed Murray to avenge previous
arrests he had made against them. Briseno is
scheduled to be executed on January 20th.
George Alarick Jones, 30, was convicted
in the robbery and murder of 22-year old
Forest J. Hall in Dallas. Hall was shot
twice in the back of the head and his body
dumped in the 1400 block of E.
Wheatland. His car was stolen and later
found stripped of its stereo and wheels.
Jones is scheduled to die on January
27th.
Going After The Parking Cheats?
Not in Galveston!
They sell on the street for as much as $150.
Apparently, that is the price of a parking
space these days in downtown Galveston,
and that is if you buy a black market handicap parking placard to hang on your rearview
mirror. That is a bargain, considering that it
costs $8 a day to park at a parking meter.
That adds up to $40 a week or $2,080 a year.
But what happens if one is caught with one
of these counterfeit placards. First of all, it is
not likely that in Galveston that anyone would
be caught because there is absolutely no one
going after these cheats. There are task
forces for everything from auto theft, to vice
and narcotics to code enforcement. Police
raid gambling establishments, set up stings
on prostitutes, pimps and paper hangers, but
no one pays any attention to the lowest form
of human endeavor, those who abuse the
handicapped by unlawfully stealing their designated parking spaces and stealing money
from the city treasury by using fake placards
to park at city owned parking meters.
A policewoman from another city who
writes hundreds of tickets each year for illegal
permit use, said schemes involving handicapped permits are endless ; and needs to be
stopped.
“A relative who has a valid permit dies.
Someone in the family grabs the permit,
alters it and uses it,” she said, considering it
“a family heirloom.” Permits get stolen and
resold on the street. Legitimate holders sell
them then claim the permits have been ‘lost’.
Relatives use them illegally. Sometimes, drivers create fake permits on their computers.
In cities all across the country, budget
crunchers, city officials and others are crying
out for more money from taxpayers. Hotel
and motel taxes are being raised, water and
sewer fees are going up, property tax rates
and evaluations are sky rocketing and all
along public money is being stolen at will by
people who park free all day, everyday, at
parking meters all over Galveston. Minimum
fines of $250, set by state law, are going
uncollected as violators park, at will, wherever and whenever they wish without fear of
being cited or brought to court.
In the twelve month period ending in
October of this year, only 237 handicap citations were filed in the Municipal Court in
Galveston. Half of those were dismissed.
Some were dismissed when a person would
show up in court with a placard and claim to
have been driving the vehicle at the time the
ticket was issued but had merely left the
placard at home. It’s an old trick When a
court allows this, it is an open invitation for
anyone to park in handicap zones then show
up in court with a friend bearing a placard
who claims to have been driving the vehicle
when it was ticketed. The law specifically
states that the registered owner of the vehicle
may be held responsible for violations of the
handicap parking laws. Our courts, in most
case, elect not to hold owners responsible
and continue the problem to be manifested.
By Breck Porter
These people are slick and cunning and they
are good at pulling the wool over the eyes of
soft shelled judges. In the month of
November only 23 tickets were filed in the
Galveston Municipal Court for these violations, while a single Deputy Sheriff in Denton
County writes that many in a single day.
What can be done about this? Police
Departments claim to be short handed, not
enough officers to assign to this task, no
money to hire more officers. City Councils
needs the money for pot holes, beautification
projects, street lights and an endless list of
things, all more important than this. What
are other cities doing?
In Alvin, Texas, Chief Mike Merkel appoints
volunteers to the task. After four hours of
training, the volunteers hit the streets and
parking lots of Alvin, dressed in logo shirts
and caps and with official police department
ID cards. Each is furnished a donated
Polaroid camera and they take photos of vehicles parked in handicap zones illegally. They
don‚t put a ticket on the vehicle, they fill out
a pre-printed document and turn it in, with
the photo, to the police department. A police
officer takes the document and photo to the
municipal court where charges are filed and
a notice is sent to the registered owner of the
vehicle to either pay the fine or show up in
court.
Amarillo, Texas volunteers are provided a
patrol car, uniforms and Polaroid cameras.
They issue actual citations for blocking
access ramps as well as other violations and
on some vehicles they slap a bright orange
warning sticker on the vehicle window. The
volunteers travel in pairs.
The Denton Police Department has developed its own training program for volunteers.
Each volunteer is trained in disabled parking
laws and DPD policy. They issue parking citations, testify in court and attend mandatory
meetings for Disabled Parking Volunteers
once each quarter. The Denton County
Sheriffs Department has assigned one deputy
to the full-time task of enforcing handicap
parking violations. Deputy Larry Partin only
writes citations to violators of the Texas State
Law. He does not leave citations on windshields. His 99%+ conviction record combined with the $250.00 minimum fine brings
in more than enough income to pay for the
program.
Volunteers in El Paso issue tickets at any
time to occupied and unoccupied vehicles.
Members of the Volunteer Disabled Parking
Enforcement Program receive 16 hours of initial training and additional training every six
months. Citations are issued to unattended
vehicles and administered by the El Paso
Police Department.
Volunteers in Harlingen are members of the
police academy alumni and citizens with disabilities. They are authorize to issue citations
at anytime to unoccupied vehicles.
The Irving, Texas Police Department is full
force ahead with their program. The volun-
teer COPS (Citizen On Patrol) receive 33
hours of training at the Citizen Police
Academy, and additional 12 hours training on
patrol. The volunteers wear identifying uniforms, travel in pairs, have magnetic signs
affixed to their vehicles and wear badges
issued by the police department. Tickets are
issued to occupied and unoccupied vehicles
and the volunteers are equipped with cameras, cell phones or two-way radios, and they
take a photo of each violation.
In nearby Lake Jackson volunteers are
graduates of the Police Departments Citizens
Police Academy and receive four hours specialized training in handicap parking law.
They wear distinctive vests with “Disabled
Parking Enforcement Task Force;” and carry
a cell phone and portable radio. They take
Polaroid pictures of vehicles in violation, fill
out information sheets and submit them to
the municipal court which then sends notices
to the registered owners to appear in court.
The Galveston Police News surveyed 27 city
and county law enforcement agencies which
have programs similar to the one’s described
in the preceding paragraphs. Each of these
cities had discovered the same problems that
are evident in Galveston. People with legitimate disabilities were being victimized by
cheaters and crooks, and nothing was being
done to protect them. The cities were loosing
millions of dollars in revenue, as parking
meters were being overrun by vehicles with
illegal placards. When the volunteers went to
work violators soon got the message. Fine
money, at $250 a pop began showing up in
the city treasury. More than enough money
was generated than it cost to administer the
volunteer programs. It is called innovative
enforcement and productive use of volunteers who are willing to help solve problems
in their communities.
The Galveston Police News queried
Galveston’s Mayor and each City Council
member by e-mail in a effort to determine
first, if they are aware that a problem exists,
and second their thoughts, opinions or ideas
of a suitable solution. Three members of the
council responded.
District Six City Councilwoman Jackie Cole
replied, “If people were to follow the guidelines of kindness and consideration, they
would not park in the handicap spaces. Also,
it is easy to get our extra exercise to work off
the holiday treats by parking a little further
away. But beyond personal incentives there
is enforcement, and the city can certainly
consider innovative ideas for ticketing those
selfish enough to park illegally in a handicap
spot.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Joe Jaworski replied, “I
would certainly welcome a full discussion at
Council level to examine the issue. I do not
know whether there is adequate space downtown to provide for established ‘no parking’
areas adequate to meet the need. Maybe it
is better to simply allow for free parking at a
regular spot so that a handicapped individual
may get as close as possible. If we were to
go to a standard location for a designated
spot, we may have lots of unused spots. But
your plan is worth exploring, especially given
the fact it is used in other cities. I am
alarmed at sticker abuse, and I would wel-
come increased enforcement and would support providing tools to police to improve such
enforcement.”
Assistant City Attorney Mike Miller, who has
prosecuted these cases in Municipal Court
told the GPN, “The real problem to me comes
out of that state law. Several years ago when
this first came out, I contacted the DPS and I
contacted the state agencies. I contacted
everybody I could think of. From the state,
this is a law without teeth, a tiger without
teeth. As long as you have this situation
where these people have these bogus cards
and these people can just go over to the
courthouse and get one issued, and if they
loose it they’ll give them another one, the
problem will exist. I can vouch for our police
department. They tried hard. (referring to
stings conducted on meter violators earlier
this year) They really tried hard. Don’t fault
the cops on this one. These guys went 150%.
The problem is that these jerks can get these
things from the county. I think the state law
needs to be changed, but that’s going to create a sort bureaucracy and the state is not
going to want to pay the money. I was just
appalled when I went over there and found
out that getting a placard was no more than
just filling out some paperwork. If the source
was limited and it was done right by the state,
then a few raids by the police would end this.
Then you wouldn’t need these people from
the Citizens Police Academy and things like
that because it would end it right off the bat
with one or two raids. I think that would be a
worthwhile pursuit, to change the state law.
These things are a joke and it needs to be
that we really require something before handing out these licenses,” said Miller.
Councilwoman Patricia Bolton-Legg wrote,
“I would not favor doing away with free parking at meters for persons with handicap parking permits. The fact remains that there are
persons who are in violation of abusing the
handicap parking permits and until the real
issue of abuse is corrected we will be hurting
the people that we are trying to assist.”
Bolton-Legg continued, “We need to be
more proactive in finding the persons who
are illegally obtaining the permits and then
selling them, the persons who purchase the
permits and are using them to park free and
the family and/or friends that use the permits
with permission of the authorized person.
The process of authorizing the issuance of
permits is the problem and if the violations
continue to be ignored and are not being punished the abuse will continue. I am in favor
of utilizing the Citizen Police Academy in
helping to enforce that only persons who are
authorized to have a handicap parking permit
use them to park in designated areas or park
free at meters.”
In our February edition of the Galveston
Police News, We will continue to report on
this subject. We will report on who is doing
what to stop this abuse. As we have stated
before, the Galveston Police News invites
reader’s comments on this, or any other subject. You may contact us by E-mail, by telephone, by postal mail, or through the Tip Line
on the website of the Galveston Municipal
Police Association, www.gmpaonline.com
<http://www.gmpaonline.com/> .
SEX OFFENDERS
Convicted Sex Offenders are required by Texas law to register with law enforcement in the city in which they reside.
GRICE, DERRICK JEROME
BM DOB 04/22/69 5-11 160
BRO BLK
3008 Seawall, Apt 131, Galveston, TX
Indecency w/Child
Victim: Male - Age Not Given
HANDY, ANDRE SHAWN
BM DOB 11/19/1972 5-11
BRO BLK
1002 Ave M, Galveston, Tx
Indency w/Child
Victim: Female - Age 7
222
NAVA, VINCENTE JOHN
MM 07/04/1985 5-8 150 BRO BLK
LKA: 1227 Ave G, Galveston, TX
Indecency w/a child by sexual contact
Victim: Male Age 7
JAMES, PAUL
BM 11/08/1960 5-8 157 BRO BLK
LKA: 711 Holiday Dr. No 74,
Galveston, TX
Indecency w/a child by sexual contact
Victim: Female Age 16
HECTOR, EDDIE ROBERT
BM 10/31/1954 6-0 165 BRO BLK
LKA: 2520 Ave Q, Galveston, TX
Aggravated Sexual Assault
HERNANDEZ, ANDRES
MM 05/13/1965 5-10 185 BRO BLK
LKA: 1615 Ave C, Galveston, TX
Indecency w/child by sexual contact
JUDD,DAVID DEAN
WM 03/01/1948 5-8 150 BLU BRO
LKA: 3722 Ave O 1/2, Galveston, TX
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a
Child
JACKSON,LAWRENCE CHARLES
BM 12/17/1967 5-7 135 BRO BLK
LKA: 3113 Ave. M, Galveston, TX
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
Victim age and sex unknown
HERNANDEZ,FRANK III
MM 07/24/1972 5-7 250 BRO
BLK
LKA: 1113 18th St. Galveston, TX
Sexual Assault of a Child
Victim - Female Age 14
DEARMORE,DAVID KEN
WM 06/03/1983 5-9 190 BLU BRO
LKA: 924 Ave L, Galveston, TX
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
Victim - Male Age 7
FOR UPDATES, GO TO www.galvestonsexoffenders.com
GPD Looses “Star” Officer to the Feds. REQUEST US
Staff Report
One of the Galveston Police Departments
brightest stars has left the department after
eight years of service for a position with the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Sammy A. Parks, 31, joined the GPD in 1996
after serving briefly as a jailer for the
Galveston County Sheriffs Department, and
has advanced steadily through the ranks
beginning as a patrol officer to his current
position as Sergeant in the Criminal
Investigation Division.
While serving as an officer, Parks enrolled
in dozens of continuing education courses
receiving training in police and sheriff’s
department around the state. He has completed advanced training in various law
enforcement related subjects from the
Houston Police Department, Bexar County
Sheriff’s Department, Corpus Christi Police
Department, Pasadena Police Department
and the Galveston College Law Enforcement
Academy. He has accumulated nearly 2000
hours of certified training during his career
and earned a Bachelors Degree in The
Administration of Criminal Justice from
Mountain State University in Beckley, West
Virginia in 2003.
In August, 1998 then Police Chief Kim D.
Schoolcraft awarded Parks the Police Chief
Commendation for outstanding performance
of duty. In the commendation he was cited
for an incident in January of that year in
which he, and other officers responded to a
mutual aid assistance call from Jamaica
Beach Police Department. A man had reportedly killed a person and was holding another
hostage. Parks and other members of the
GPD SWAT Team successfully apprehended
the man from the house in which he was barricaded, without injury to the hostage or any
of the officers.
Again in 1998 Parks was recognized by
Chief Schoolcraft when she named him as the
Galveston Police Departments, Fifty-Club,
Officer of The Year.
In her citation
Schoolcraft described Parks as an energetic,
dependable, and loyal police officer who had
a continuous record of accomplishments and
who had been recognized on more than one
occasion by the Federal Courts for professionalism and attention to detail. “This officer exemplifies the standard of bearing and
presence sought in all recruits to our profes-
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sion,” cited Chief Schoolcraft.
Honored again in May, 2003, Parks
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citation by Pierce read, “During the year
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Most noteworthy in all the letters of nomination submitted in support of this award is this
one simple statement, made by his subordinates. As a supervisor, Sgt. Parks “Leads By
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That is high praise from officers who are not
easily impressed. Sgt. Parks conducts himself in a manner in keeping with the highest
standards and ideals of law enforcement, and
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Parks will receive training for the DEA at
Quantico, Virginia and will be assigned a duty
station upon completion.
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For more news from around the State log onto www.texaspolicenews.com
COP ROLE EYED IN PROTECTION OF KIDS
Guillermo X. Garcia
Express-News Austin Bureau
AUSTIN - A House committee report
aimed at reforming Child Protective
Services operations recommends that law
enforcement officers - not agency caseworkers - remove children from homes
where there is evidence of abuse or neglect.
The change would involve law officers
much earlier in the grueling process.
Current state law calls for officers to
accompany child protection agency caseworkers on all “Priority One” calls, when
the agency determines a child is in imminent danger.
Police officials, who say protecting children is already a high priority for them,
reacted with concern that their departments would be saddled with added
responsibilities and duties without new
resources.
Police chiefs also said they are worried
they could be required to redirect street
officers toward providing social services
and away from fighting crime.
Police chiefs “are going to be reluctant,
because the ‘fix’ to the problem is not
going to be for law enforcement to remove
a child - that is just shifting the problem
from one point to another,” said James
McLaughlin, executive director of the
Texas Police Chiefs Association, which represents 800 chiefs of police in the state.
Under the spotlight for a series of child
deaths over the past year, the child protection agency has been the subject of a
sweeping statewide investigation into its
failure to adequately protect the state’s six
million children.
Gov. Rick Perry, who ordered the probe,
has said he will make revamping the
state’s child protection system one of his
legislative priorities in 2005.
The committee’s chairwoman, Rep.
Suzanna Gratia Hupp, R-Lampasas, says
the panel’s recommendations “are no
magic bullets to solve the crisis we are in
now, but something must be done,
because clearly children in the system
need more and better protection.”
Hupp said she did not yet have an estimate on how much the panel’s proposal
would cost to implement.
She acknowledged that some of the recommendations could be changed or
dropped as the components of her Select
Committee on Child Welfare and Foster
Care’s report get rolled into proposed legislation.
Her panel also recommends:
• That parents who have had their children removed be provided with attorneys
at state expense.
• That the child care licensing system
be revamped so licenses of service
providers who are in violation of state
rules can more easily be suspended.
• That the child agency be completely
removed from the task of temporarily placing children in foster care. Private agencies, like Lutheran Social Services and the
San Antonio-based Baptist Child & Family
Services, now contract with the state to do
about seven in 10 placements.
• Hupp’s committee recommended
Guardian Angels weigh Dallas chapter
By DAVE LEVINTHAL /
The Dallas Morning News
Bands of citizen crime fighters clad in red
berets and sateen jackets may begin
patrolling Dallas’ most dangerous neighborhoods by next year, says the president of the
New York City-based Guardian Angels.
A team of Angels leaders will visit Dallas in
February to meet city police and political
leaders and discuss forming a chapter, said
Curtis Sliwa, the Angels’ president and
founder. But while he may gain support, he
also has high-profile critics.
Dallas’ high crime rate, combined with several former Angels members’ move here,
make the city an attractive location, Mr.
Sliwa said. The Angels would focus on neighborhoods in South and West Dallas, culling
volunteers from those communities.
“Dallas, crime-wise, has not gotten better
since I was here in the mid-1980s. If anything, the perception of the city has gotten
worse,” said Mr. Sliwa, whose organization
last came to Dallas en masse during the
1984 Republican National Convention. “We
have an ability to compete with the gangPage 22 - Galveston Police News
bangers, hoodlums and drug dealers for the
minds of the youth. We get respect from the
youth.”
To some, Mr. Sliwa, who founded the
Angels in 1979 while a McDonald’s restaurant manager, is an icon for common people
who fight for safety on streets and in subways.
His Angels carry no weapons, only radios.
But members aren’t shy about making citizen arrests, using a rarely employed but
legal right to detain a suspect until police
arrive.
“The police cannot do it alone. They need
citizens’ help,” said Elba Garcia, the Dallas
City Council’s Public Safety Committee chairwoman. “I would love to meet with them and
hear about their plans, as I’m really interested in hearing what they have to say.”
To critics, including Dallas Mayor Laura
Miller, Mr. Sliwa himself is a thuggish prima
donna more concerned about self-promotion
than law enforcement.
“He’s all about grandstanding. And if they
still want to come down after hearing that, I’ll
tell them this in person,” said Ms. Miller, who
said she was unaware of the Angels’ plans.
“The last thing we need is for them to
come down and have our crime statistics go
removing CPS caseworkers from the
process of taking a child out of an abusive
home situation because, she said, the current system moves too slowly.
“Give me a break. There is an instance
of imminent danger for a child, and CPS
has 24 hours to act? The reaction time has
to be much sooner than that,” and police
responding to such a situation will “get to
the scene immediately,” Hupp said.
“Isn’t it Child Protective Services who
are supposed to have all the expertise in
removals?” asked Charley Wilkison, legislative director of the 15,000-member
Combined Law Enforcement Associations
of Texas, the largest police group in the
state.
“And if CPS doesn’t have the training,
experience and education to handle these
problems, why not?” he said.
“I think everyone involved sees this as
(Child Protective Service’s) problem, and
the only thing that the (proposal) would do
is make law officers become social workers, which we don’t have the expertise to
do,” McLaughlin said.
Miller among critics; Kunkle skeptical but will withhold judgment
up,” Ms. Miller added. “Everywhere they’ve
gone, they’ve created more controversy than
they’ve done to solve crime.”
Nationally, the Angels aren’t the formidable
force they were in the 1980s. Membership in
New York City, the group’s birthplace, had
swelled to more than 1,000. But allegations
that Mr. Sliwa fabricated several of the
group’s exploits, including his purported kidnapping and beating at the hands of criminals masquerading as New York transit
police, continue to dog the Angels.
Various media accounts place today’s
active Angels membership in New York City
at fewer than 100. Attempts to build chapters
in cities such as Oakland, Calif., have stalled.
But Mr. Sliwa notes that active chapters
exist in more than two dozen U.S. cities and
several nations, including Japan and Italy. If
created, Dallas’ chapter would become
Texas’ first.
“They remind me of Krispy Kreme ˆ they
fool themselves and they think they can
expand 20-fold,” Ms. Miller said. “I would
appreciate if they would go to another city
and leave us alone.”
Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle says he is
skeptical but willing listen to the Angels.
“Certainly, I’d talk to them or any group,”
Chief Kunkle said. “But it creates problems if
someone tries to come into an area and take
over like a standing army. And we almost
always discourage citizen arrests. It’s dangerous for the people making the arrest, and
there are legal issues involved.”
Said council member Sandy Greyson, who
also serves on the Public Safety Committee:
“I’d be open to listening to them, but very
cautious. I’m just not sure we need the
Guardian Angel approach. I’m not sure citizens using arrest powers is something I want
to see pursued.”
The Angels need 32 applicants to initiate a
chapter and an initial training class of
between 12 and 16 prospective members,
Mr. Sliwa said.
The Angels don’t merely patrol streets, he
added. Part of the group’s crime-combating
strategy is working with schools and housing
projects to draw divert children from the
allure of gangs and drugs. Children may join
the group as Junior Angels as part of a program that teaches them self-respect and
decision-making skills, Mr. Sliwa said.
“Criminals want them younger and
younger,” he said. “If we get to them first,
you’re depriving the criminal element of their
most important resource.”
Texas Police News
Parolees, Lawyers Blast Sex-offender Program
Treatment orders some with no sex-crime record to admit guilt or face prison time
By THOM MARSHALL
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
Texas parolees who have never been convicted of sex crimes are being forced to undergo testing and treatment as sex offenders and
could wind up back in prison if they fail to comply with rigid sex-offender parole restrictions
that include holiday lockdowns.
In many cases, the testing is done by the
same therapist who does the treatment and
who profits to the tune of $20 to $35 per week,
paid by each parolee in group sex-offender sessions.
No one seems to know exactly how many
parolees without sex convictions on their
records have been classified as sex offenders
and are undergoing treatment.
Bryan Collier, director of the parole division
of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice,
said 3,910 people classified as sex offenders
are under parole supervision in Texas.
Of that number, he estimated that “probably
less than 100” do not have sex-offense convictions.
But defense lawyers said they could point to
numerous cases in which parolees were classified as sex offenders with nothing in their
records to back it up.
Collier also said some parolees may have
had an offense that involves sex without the
wording of the charge reflecting that, and
some may have been arrested for sex crimes
but never convicted, triggering an evaluation.
The therapist who charged convicted burglar
Raymond Young $150 for a state-ordered evaluation to determine whether he should undergo sex-offender treatment is the same therapist now charging him $20 for each weekly
group session.
Young, with no sex crimes on his record, said
he is not doing well in the sessions. That’s part-
ly because he has failed to meet one requirement for successful completion of treatment
as defined by the Council on Sex Offender
Treatment: “admitting and accepting responsibility for all crimes.”
“I’ve been doing this since January, and I’ve
been threatened with having a monitor put on
me because I wouldn’t admit I had a problem,”
Young said last week. “How can I be in denial
about a crime that never took place? Or how
can I show remorse for a victim that never
existed?”
Young expressed bitterness about being
required to stay in his residence throughout
the Thanksgiving weekend as part of a sexoffender lockdown.
He said he did not complain about meeting
regular parole requirements but does complain about the enhanced sex-offender parole
restrictions.
“Guilt by accusation is what we’ve got in the
parole system right now,” said lawyer David
O’Neill, who represents many parolees.
He described the lives of parolees treated as
sex offenders as “pure hell.”
“They can’t keep their jobs. They can’t leave
their counties. They get put on curfews. They
get put on monitors. They can’t make a living.
The deck is stacked against them,” O’Neill
said. “They just put on provision after provision after provision.”
He said there are dangerous people who
need such supervision, “but more and more,
the system is chewing up and spitting out the
people who this was not designed for.”
Parole chief Collier said that in Raymond
Young’s evaluation responses, “although I
can’t tell you what those are, he has indicated
some responsibility” relating to some sexcrime charges several years ago that later
were dropped. Young’s records reviewed by
parole officials do not explain why the case
was dismissed, Collier said. “I’m not saying he
Dallas cops can buy more firepower
Officers can buy AR-15 rifles, Kunkle says,
citing recent shootout
By TANYA EISERER /
The Dallas Morning News
On the heels of a recent shootout that
left Richardson and Plano police outgunned, Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle
has announced that police officers will be
allowed to purchase their own AR-15 semiautomatic rifles.
The department has previously said that
it was working on purchasing 65 AR-15
rifles for patrol officers for about
$100,000. Because the rifles won’t
become available until about April, the
chief wrote in a Monday memo, the department will implement a policy to allow officers to purchase them “in an effort to
enhance officer safety and get these rifles
on the street as quickly as possible.”
The weapons must be of a model
approved by the department, and officers
must attend a 40-hour training course, the
did or didn’t do the offense.” But based on that
dismissed case, the parole board ordered evaluation and treatment, he said.
Allison Taylor, executive director of Texas’
Council on Sex Offender Treatment, said council officials do not consider it a conflict of interest to have parolees treated by the same registered sex-offender treatment provider who
evaluated them.
“Typically, common practice is that a sex
offender is referred to a program where they
conduct an assessment, and if it’s determined
that (parolees) meet the qualifications and the
necessity for treatment, they will treat them,”
Taylor said.
She said no one checks the results of an
evaluation when a provider determines that a
parolee needs treatment.
Collier said treatment providers set their own
rates, which range from $20 to $35 for a weekly group session. The required evaluations can
cost $150, payable to the therapist by the
parolee.
Collier added that the therapist who evaluated and is treating Young, Theophilus Natter,
told parole officials Thursday that “he is not in
a position to give information regarding the
number of clients he is serving.” “He says he
believes that is confidential information.”
Natter refused to comment.
Defense lawyer Sean Buckley said he has
represented at least 10 parolees – three of
whom had no sex convictions – “who have
been subject to sex-offender conditions or who
have been forced to attend sex-offender therapy.”
Young said he has no complaints about the
way he was treated on regular parole for the
first year after his release. But that changed,
he said, after he underwent the sex-offender
evaluation that he had been told would be a
condition of parole.
“A lot of guys get out of prison and they don’t
try to do nothing for themselves,” Young said.
“I went to work on the back of a garbage truck
at BFI until I earned enough money to rent me
a semi, take my test, passed it, and now I’m
driving trucks.”
He said that, under regular parole rules, he
had freedom to drive throughout the state and
could earn $800 to $1,100 a week. Under sexoffender parole rules, however, he said he is
not allowed to leave Harris County and makes
$300 to $375 a week.
Buckley said that requiring people who have
no sex-crime convictions to admit and accept
responsibility for such crimes is “absolutely
perverted because they’re forcing a person to
lie.”
He said his clients who aren’t “real sex
offenders,” but are required to attend group
sessions, have told him that “when they go in
there and they hear these other people, like
child molesters, talking about it and having to
relive these fantasies, they get sick to their
stomachs and they’re just appalled that they
have to be a part of this.”
Texas does not license sex-offender treatment providers, but Taylor said the 380
providers on the council’s registry had to meet
specific qualifications.
She said those include being licensed or certified to practice as a physician, psychologist,
psychiatrist, professional counselor, marriage
or family therapist, master social worker, or
advanced clinical practitioner.
They also must have at least 1,000 hours of
clinical experience in assessment and treatment of sex offenders, she said, and at least
40 hours of continuing education – 30 in sexoffender specific training and 10 in sexualassault or sexual-survivor issues.
She said she has only a three-person staff,
including herself, and does not know how
many parolees are being treated by the registered providers.
memo said.
Senior Cpl. Glenn White, president of the
Dallas Police Association, which represents about 80 percent of Dallas officers,
said he would estimate that 90 to 100 officers already own the rifles.
“It’s a good thing,” he said of the policy.
“I think it’s saying that Kunkle cares about
the department and that he’s looking at
innovative ways to get things done.”
Last month, Richardson and Plano police
faced a barrage of automatic assault rifle
fire as they chased robbers thought to be
the Takeover Bandits. No one was seriously injured, and the suspects escaped. But
the incident highlighted the need for local
police departments to beef up their arsenals.
Plano and Richardson have previously
announced that they were adding more
AR-15 semiautomatic rifles to their arsenals. Plano will also allow officers to buy
the rifles and keep them in their squad
cars.
In his memo, Chief Kunkle also wrote
that the department was considering buying prisoner cages as part of efforts to
improve officer safety.
In May, a veteran Dallas officer was giving a man a lift when the man crawled in
the front seat and began choking the officer and trying to grab his handgun. No one
was seriously injured, but it raised the
issue that Dallas patrol cars do not have
cages separating the front and the back
seats.
The Buffalo
Solders
Pulling into Joe’s Crab
Shack, where riders
gathered for lunch and
to count toys and contributions raised during
the ride. (staff photo)
Arriving on the Seawall
at the end of their journey. (staff photo)
A trailer quickly fills with toys contributed during the toy run. (staff photo)
Blue Knight Chapter President Danny Alvarez addresses the
gathered bikers at the conclusion of the ride. (staff photo)
Los Carnales had chapters from
Montgomery County, South Houston
and the Bay Area. (staff photo)
The Blue Knights, Galveston
Chapter 31, sponsored the
Toy Run drawing bikers
from all over South Texas.
(staff photo)
274 motorcycles
and riders cross
the causeway into
Galveston bringing
cash and toys for
children at
Christmas time.
(staff photo)
Gentlemen, Start your engines! The Blue Knights Christmas Toy Run
prepares to leave Webster enroute to Galveston. (staff photo)
Firefighters were represented by Wind & Fire from
Houston (staff photo)
On November 28th the Blue Knights Law
Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Texas
Chapter 31 or Galveston County had its
inaugural motorcycle toy run benefiting the
U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots’ program.
The event was a huge success.
272 motorcycles and riders participated,
collecting 465 toys and $1,073 in cash.
The event began at Hooter’s in Webster
The Disciples of Christ were among Christian motorcycle
groups participating. (staff photo)
and ended at Joe’s Crab Shack on the
Seawall in Galveston.
Some of the clubs participating included
chapters of Los Carnales from South
Houston, Bay Area and Montgomery
County; USMC Leathernecks; Warriors of
The Word; Wind & Fire, a firefighters group
from Houston; Buffalo Soldiers, Houston;
and the POW-MIA Club.
DeMontrond Chevy & Toyota

GPN Aug 04 - The Police News

Transcription

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