Monday night had been planned for some time with the Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner at the East Montgomery County Improvement District Building. WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan was to be the guest speaker. Just an hour before the event Entergy lost power to the building, many thought the dinner would be doomed. It wasn’t and just before it started and dinner was served power was restored. That didn’t last long. Moments later it went out again. Law Enforcement Officers make do every day with what they have to work with and Monday night was no different. Dinner was served, many servers using cell phone flashlights. Several battery operated lanterns were put on tables but it seemed like an ordinary night. Next came the speaker Jim Duggan who told of his life as a wrestler and his many experiences.
But then what everyone was waiting for, the awards.
SGT BARNHILL GETS 2X4 AUTOGRAPHED TO DPS FOR HIS NEW EAST COUNTY OFFICE
Lone Star College Police Department
Officer Jesus (Jessie) Gutierrez
Officer Gutierrez has been a member of the Lone Star College System Police Department since June 14, 2012. He has served at the Kingwood campus, Atascocita Center and EMCID Center. He has a Master Peace Officer License granted by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He has accrued over twenty six hundred hours of training in diverse topics ranging from Crisis Intervention Training to Response Tactics for Active Shooter Incidents. He was selected to attend New Mexico Techs Incident Response to Terrorist Bombing Trainer program. Officer Gutierrez has an extensive background in Texas law enforcement having served the state for over sixteen years as a deputy Constable with Harris County and as an Officer with the Kendleton Police Department before joining the Lone Star College Police. While serving Lone Star College Police Department, Officer Gutierrez has responded to and resolved numerous incidents including vehicle accidents, theft, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and medical assists. Recently, while on patrol at EMCID, Officer Gutierrez was contacted by the instructor of the ESL program regarding a possible fraud involving several members of her class. After contacting the reporting parties, he began an investigation which continued for over two weeks. He developed information and contacted the parties involved. Through his investigation, it was determined that the situation was a misunderstanding between parties and there was no criminal activity involved. In addition to basic police and protective services, Officer Gutierrez routinely provides assistance to members of the campus community in the form of courtesy transports, vehicle assists and classroom access. Due to his efforts, the college campus remains one of the safest and more crime free areas in East Montgomery County. Officer Gutierrez’s singularly distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself and the Lone Star College System Police Department.
New Caney ISD Police Department
K-9 Officer Daniel Soto II
K-9 Officer Daniel Soto II volunteered to take over the K-9 position this year and has done an outstanding job in that position. He is positive, self-motivated and enthusiastic about his job. He also volunteered to take over the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety program and has created a positive relationship with the elementary schools where the program is taught. Chief Wootton has received numerous compliments and accolades about K-9 Officer Soto and is proud to have him as a role model for the students and an asset to the community and the New Caney ISD Police Department.
Splendora ISD Police Department
Officer James (Red) Walker
James Walker or Red as he is commonly called is a vital part of the Splendora ISD Police Department. Red works in all capacities of the Department and assists in all areas. Red’s career spans some 19 years in law enforcement. There is not one particular thing that Red is getting this recognition for but far too many to list and he deserves it. It is the honor of Chief Doerge to recognize Officer James “Red” Walker.
City of Woodbranch Village
Officer Domingo Ricardo Montelongo
Officer Domingo Montelongo has been a member of the City of Woodbranch Village Police Department since June 25, 2013. While employed as an Officer for the City of Woodbranch Village Police Department, he has responded to and resolved numerous incidents. Some of these include family disturbances, vehicle disturbances, criminal trespass and assisting other agencies with Spanish speaking. Officer Montelongo is willing and eager to learn everything that he can in law enforcement.
City of Patton Village Police Department
Officer Erick Patino
Officer Erick Patino has performed his duties in an exemplary capacity utilizing his investigative skills to assist other agencies to investigate case crimes in and around the city as well as utilizing his language abilities to reach out to and assist our Hispanic community. As court Bailiff, he has been a strong bridge to the Hispanic community. He takes the initiative to identify problems and devise a solution. His role requires strong communication skills and he has shown that he not only has these skills but that he also has the ability to inspire respect and cooperation in teammates. He has shown that he is a very intelligent person with a mind well-suited to the world of community oriented policing. Officer Patino has gone above and beyond to aid the police department in enforcing our Ordinances and Code Enforcement. He has proven to be an asset to this department with his language abilities and his overall drive and spirit as well as a strong and positive influence to our community.
City of Splendora Police Department
Corporal Alex Maldonado
The ever ambitious Alex Maldonado had yet another record setting year in 2015. After setting the bar again for number of arrests, successful convictions and overall self-initiated activities, he turned his ambitions to a leadership role within the department. Officer Maldonado, now Corporal Maldonado is the backbone of the patrol division. While training new officers, identifying deficiencies within the department and providing solutions, taking over fleet maintenance and video evidence, he still continues to give 100% to patrolling the neighborhoods and prides himself on taking on unfamiliar tasks. Corporal Maldonado’s unwavering integrity, patience, understanding and dedication to the city is not only what makes him a great officer, but also a great husband, father and friend. The Splendora Police Department couldn’t be more proud to call him brother. The Department looks forward to many more years working side by side with him.
City of Roman Forest Police Department
Corporal Christopher Taylor
Corporal Christopher Taylor is an outstanding officer. With only a year and a half experience on the street, he has proven to have what it takes to be a natural at policing and has left his mark in our community. After serving in the US Air Force and then as a jailer for 3 years, he started his career with the Roman Forest Police Department in August 2014. As a rookie with the department with only 5 months into the year, he produced half of the entire department’s total DWI’s. This earned him the Rookie of the Year Hero Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in May of 2015. In 2015, Officer Taylor has once again produced the most DWI’s among many other arrests. But this time, not just half, he produced 75% of the entire department’s DWI arrests, many of which were felonies. Among some of these arrests, the suspects would try to flee but couldn’t get far as they would stumble & fall. One even tried to hide in a culvert. Also in 2015, due to his professionalism and abilities of being a model policeman, Chief Carlisle made a policy exception to make Officer Taylor a Field Training Instructor earlier than normal. And just last month, he was promoted to Corporal, a first line supervisor. Corporal Christopher Taylor has demonstrated superior policing skills and excellent leadership. Chris Taylor’s dedication has made our community a better place and he deserves this recognition.
Montgomery County Constable, Pct. 4
Deputy Brian Dunn
Deputy Dunn started his career in Law Enforcement in 2006 with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department until 2008 where he went to work with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department Drug Task Force and was hired with the Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable’s office in 2013. Deputy Dunn started in the Narcotics Division which is a highly motivated team that targets illegal activity from within the county. While working with the Narcotics team, Deputy Dunn has always demonstrated a positive willingness to do whatever it takes to complete the tasks given to him as well as always maintaining a great working relationship with other state and federal agencies which has proven to be an asset to all. Deputy Dunn has been instrumental in the creation of the Narcotics team who targets drug dealers throughout East Montgomery County which has proven great results. Because of Deputy Dunn’s professional attitude and willingness to go above and beyond his duties, East Montgomery County is a much safer place to live and raise children. Deputy Dunn’s achievements with this department provide a positive example that with joint efforts, all things are possible.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department
Deputy Alfredo Aguirre
On November 3rd, 2015 around 6:00pm Deputy Alfredo Aguirre was dispatched to a call for service on Thelma Lane. While he was at the dispatched residence, he was approached by several children from a neighboring home. The children were in a panic and told Deputy Aguirre that their home was on fire. Deputy Aguirre immediately advised dispatch of the fire and requested the fire department. He asked the children if anyone else was inside the home. The children stated that a member of their family may still be inside. Deputy Aguirre entered the home which was now billowing smoke and found that only the family dog was inside. He was able to get the dog and bring it out to the children. He suffered some smoke inhalation and fell to the ground but was able to recover and assist using a water hose to fight the fire until the fire department arrived. Due to Deputy Alfredo Aguirre’s selfless act of bravery and quick thinking, the family’s pet was saved and the home was not a total loss.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department
Detective Christopher Evans
In June of 2015, Detective Evans was made aware that an 8 year old child had made an outcry that her stepfather had been sexually assaulting her. The last known incident occurred the day before Detective Evans was made aware of the outcry. Detective Evans began his investigation and found that the assaults had been occurring over a period of several years. Detective Evans investigative work led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for the suspect and his arrest. The case is still awaiting final adjudication in the court.
Texas Department of Public Safety
Trooper II Joshua Benson
The duties of a State Trooper have changed drastically over the past several years. The times of a Trooper writing tickets and working crashes are long gone. One Trooper who epitomizes the new Trooper is Trooper Benson. During 2015, Trooper Benson successfully went through a grueling assessment process and extended an offer to become part of the Departments elite Special Response Team (SRT). This unit is tasked with conducting special operations within the Southeast Texas area as well as the Border. During 2015 Trooper Benson deployed on operations to the southern border for a total of 81 days. This alone deserves recognition but what is truly a testament to his character and extremely strong work ethic is he was still able to lead all other troopers in the apprehension of intoxicated drivers, the total number of vehicles stopped, drug seizures and the apprehension of criminals with nearly 200 arrests. Trooper Benson routinely puts the never ending mission of keeping our community safe, the needs of the Department and his fellow Law Enforcement Officer before his. This type of unwavering dedication should be commended.
Texas Department of Public Safety
Trooper II Andy Sharp
On July 25, 2015, Trooper Andy Sharp was on his way home from a nine day deployment to Roma, Texas, a small town on the southern border as part of Operation Secure Texas. As he drove through Houston on Highway 59 in the early morning hours, he observed a female knelling down near what appeared to be a small child on the inside shoulder near Loop 610. Immediately he exited the highway, pulled around and made contact with the female. As he was pulling up, he observed the female was performing CPR on the small child who appeared to be a year old. Trooper Sharp attempted to contact DPS Communications in Houston by radio, but was unable to due to his location. Trooper Sharp thinking on his feet called 911 on his cell phone. Operators were able to send EMS in route to the scene. Trooper Sharp performed CPR on the child maintaining her vitals until EMS arrived on scene. Trooper Sharp’s quick thinking and lifesaving actions ultimately saved the child’s life.
