HCSO Newsletter #248 — The Calls You Carry Home | | Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez: | | |
Team,
As part of our commitment to Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I made a promise to go after domestic violence offenders. Over the past few weeks, you delivered on that promise. Our deputies and investigators, working with our state and federal partners, went door to door across Harris County in a multi-agency domestic violence warrant roundup, looking for people wanted for some of the most serious family violence offenses in our county. In all, you cleared 154 warrants and arrested 117 people, and 79 of those arrests were for domestic violence.
Our Special Victims Unit, CAID, and Major Offenders Section, with help from our District CRU units, went after people whose cases showed the violence was likely to escalate- the ones headed toward doing more harm. The warning signs are often there early. In intimate partner violence cases, 80% involve at least one significant encounter with law enforcement, and half involve five or more. That's five chances for us to break the cycle of violence. Every one of those calls matters.
| | |
The cases behind these warrants are hard to read. One man is accused of choking a pregnant woman until she nearly lost consciousness, then threatening to kill her with a large knife. Another was wanted after a woman was slammed against a patio table and beaten with an iPad. His victims were so afraid that they fled the state. A third is accused of using a chair to hurt the people in his home. The suspects in these three separate cases are now in custody.
Family violence calls for service are some of the hardest calls we answer. Many of you have stood in those living rooms. You've seen the bruises, the broken furniture, the kids sitting quietly on the stairs. I know those calls don't end when you clear the scene. A lot of you carry them home.
| | |
But an arrest is only part of the job. Every survivor in these cases has been connected with one of our victim advocates. We're also working to change how we respond in the first place. With funding from Commissioner Lesley Briones, we're setting up a new SMART unit that will pair a specially trained deputy with a victim advocate. The deputy will handle the scene while the advocate helps the survivor figure out what they need. On calls involving a partner or an ex, the team will complete a lethality assessment, so we know who is at real risk before it's too late.
We're also making sure people know where to turn. HCSO is a proud sponsor of AVDA, and new billboards are up across our area with a number survivors can call. When you meet someone who needs help, make sure they leave with that number.
Thank you to every deputy, investigator, and advocate who was part of this roundup, and to the dispatchers, jail staff, and support teams whose work made it possible. A special thank you to our CAID team, who did the workups before the roundup and fed real-time intel to the teams in the field.
| | |
Domestic violence doesn't stop at our own front doors. If you or someone in your family is being hurt, it's not your fault, and you don't need to have it all figured out to ask for help. If you're worried about a teammate, check on them.
Every warrant we execute, every offender we take off the streets, and every case we bring closer to resolution makes a real difference in keeping our community safe. Thank you for showing up for the people who need us most.
| | |
Team,
Harris County keeps growing, and our agency has to grow with it. I want to tell you about the projects underway that will change how many of you train and where you work.
Training comes first. At our Academy campus in Humble, the rifle range is being rebuilt with concrete panels and a steel baffle system. Twenty firearms lanes are getting moving targets, sirens, and lighting simulations. We're also building the county's first dedicated precision driving course, where you'll train on pursuits, felony stops, and driving in bad weather. The Academy is adding 15,000 square feet so we can run more than one Basic Peace Officer Course at a time. Next door, the S.H.I.E.L.D. Center will give us a real place to train for active attacks. And finally, on Hugh Road, we're building Harris County's first swift water rescue training facility, because we all know what this county looks like when the water rises.
Patrol is getting closer to the calls. District 1 is getting a new station on Butte Creek Road, and District 5 is moving to FM 1960 West. On Navigation, the new Public Safety Center will put investigators, forensic labs, and evidence storage under one roof, along with a fitness center and a 400-car garage.
Voters approved the bonds that pay for much of this. That's a vote of trust in you, and you earned it. Click here to view all nine projects.
| | | | Harris County is taking a new approach to domestic violence, putting deputies and victim advocates on the same team. It’s called SMART — the Sheriff’s Mobile Advocacy Response Team. The new unit is designed to help hold violent offenders accountable while connecting victims with support and resources to help them stay safe. | | | | The Harris County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help identifying a man they say was involved in an aggravated robbery at an Aldine-area convenience store last month. The robbery happened on Sept. 20 around 10:49 p.m. at the Aldine Food Mart on Aldine Mail Route Road near the Eastex Freeway. | | Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the HCSO highlight exceptional teammates who serve others above and beyond their duties. We regularly receive positive emails, thank-you notes, and phone calls from the community. | | |
A Harris County resident recently shared:
💬"Deputy Erica Henriquez responded to a report of metal theft/property theft in North Harris County. Deputy Henriquez was extremely professional and thorough during the investigation. She provided a lot of clarity into the investigative process. Henriquez was thorough and considerate throughout the investigation. Great to encounter such professionalism."
Deputy Henriquez began her law enforcement career in 2015 as a detention officer at the 1200 Baker Street jail. Today, she serves as a patrol deputy in District 1 and has served Harris County residents for more than a decade.
👏 Thank you, Deputy Henriquez, for your professionalism, thoroughness, and dedication to our community!
| | |
A Harris County resident recently shared:
💬 "Inmate Care Concern has fully made the ability for inmates to communicate with their loved ones about urgent concerns about the well-being of their stay, and Detention Officer Hudson has taken the initiative to prioritize the safety and security measures for what the portal has been established to be used for. I want to commend the time and effort she put in by personally calling and confirming that I was being heard and that the issues were being resolved. Thank you so much for the understanding and support!"
Detention Officer Hudson has proudly served HCSO for 19 years, beginning her career in 2007. She is assigned to the Detention Support Services Bureau, Administrative Services, where she works with the Inmate Care Concerns team.
👏 Thank you, Detention Officer Hudson, for your dedication to the people we serve!
| | |
On Tuesday, October 6, you invited us to your block parties, cookouts, and festivals for National Night Out. Thank you for having us. Click here to view the photo album.
This is one of my favorite nights of the year. Most of the time, when someone calls the Sheriff's Office, it's because something has gone wrong. On National Night Out, you call because you want us there.
Thank you to the civic club leaders, captains, and volunteers who made these events happen, and to our partners at the Houston Police Department and everyone who hosted across the county.
The safest neighborhoods aren't always the ones with the most patrol cars. They're the ones where neighbors know each other and look out for each other. I hope Tuesday gave you a chance to meet the person behind the badge. Our deputies are parents, coaches, and church members. They're your neighbors.
You told us what's on your mind, and we're taking it back with us, the good and the hard. Please keep talking to us, so this is more than one night a year.
Thank you for being good neighbors.
| | |
Teammate Spotlight: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and HCSO recognize Detention Officer Arrick Bobo, a Floor Training Officer in our jail, who was commended by his lieutenant for stepping up to help his fellow officers without being asked. His supervisors say it's simply how he works every day.
👏 Thank you, Officer Bobo, for leading by example.
| | |
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez recently appeared on VIETV RADIO Network to discuss the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s continued commitment to serving the Vietnamese community.
As part of these efforts, Sheriff Gonzalez appointed Kim Dao as a liaison to help strengthen communication, build relationships, and connect residents and business owners with the Sheriff’s Office.
HCSO is committed to working across jurisdictional boundaries to ensure all communities have access to resources, information, and support.
| | |
🔬 Collaboration strengthens the science behind the badge.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office was proud to host the 3rd Annual Southeast Texas Forensic Association Symposium, bringing forensic professionals from across the region together to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and learn from one another.
Together, we’re working to provide the best possible service to the communities we serve.
| | To all retirees, we thank you for your years of service to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Congratulations on your retirement, and best of luck on the next chapter in your life. | | |
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Awards in Excellence, a tradition that celebrates the outstanding service of our teammates and the vital contributions of our community partners.
About the Awards
- 17 awards in total: 16 for HCSO personnel and 1 for a community member.
- Categories include Peace Officer, Detention, Support Staff, Reserve Personnel, and Specialized Awards such as:
- Sandeep Dhaliwal Community Impact Award
- Joseph Trapolino Mental Health Professional of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award (recognizing 20+ years of distinguished service).
- Katrina Arnim Civilian Impact Award
How to Nominate
- Submit nominations via the Awards in Excellence Portal (live through mid-January 2027).
- Summaries should clearly describe how the nominee meets award criteria.
- Supporting evidence (reports, incident numbers, body-worn or dash camera footage, articles, etc.) is strongly encouraged.
- Any HCSO employee may submit nominations. Community members may also be nominated.
- Self-nominations are not accepted.
- Eligible actions or services must have taken place in calendar year 2026.
Selection Process
A Committee made up of five to seven peers from mixed ranks and the Professional Staff carefully reviews all submitted nominations. From this group, three to five candidates are selected to move forward.
In the second phase, under the supervision of an Assistant Chief, five Majors review the shortlisted candidates and select one to two finalists.
The final decision is made by Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and Chief Deputy Diaz.
This is your chance to help shine a light on the dedication, professionalism, and community spirit that make HCSO exceptional.
| | |
2027 Harris County Employee Benefits Open Enrollment is October 19–30, 2026. Review your benefits and make your selections before the deadline.
Click here for more information.
| | | | |
