Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez:

Deputy Rondald Bates: Deputy Bates died in a vehicle crash while on his way to work an extra shift. A 32-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, he was a loving husband, father, and a deeply respected teammate in Jail Operations.

Deputy Bryan Sweetman: Deputy Sweetman passed away from health complications linked to his exposure to toxic chemicals during the 2017 Arkema plant explosion. Even after his retirement in 2020, he remained a symbol of strength and dedication

Detective John Coddou III: Detective Coddou was struck and killed while assisting with a crash on the Grand Parkway. A respected member of the Violent Crimes Unit, he was known for his leadership and compassion.

Detective Fernando Esqueda: Detective Esqueda was ambushed and fatally shot after locating a vehicle connected to a violent crime. He served with unwavering bravery and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Join HCSO at the Missing in Southeast Texas Day

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office invites the community to attend Missing in Southeast Texas Day, a meaningful event dedicated to supporting families with missing loved ones.

📅 Saturday, May 3, 2025

🕙 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

📍 The Children’s Assessment Center, 2500 Bolsover Street, Houston

This free, public event provides families an opportunity to share vital information, submit DNA samples, and connect with law enforcement in hopes of finding answers or long-overdue closure.

At the event, families can:

1. File new missing persons reports or update existing ones
2. Provide DNA cheek swabs from biological relatives to aid in identifying unknown remains
3. Connect with bilingual staff for assistance in English and Spanish
4. Share identifying information including:

• Medical/dental records, X-rays, or personal effects
• Posters or flyers for the Wall of the Missing, a tribute space honoring those still unaccounted for
• Recent photos (especially those showing tattoos, scars, or other unique features)

Please bring:

• Photos of your missing loved one
• Medical/dental records (if available)
• Police reports or case documents
• A biological relative from the mother’s side (for DNA collection)
• Flyers or posters for the memorial wall

This event is a powerful reminder that no case is too old, and no person is ever forgotten. Missing in Southeast Texas Day is about hope, healing, and taking meaningful steps toward resolution.

We encourage you to attend, share this information, and stand in support of the many families still searching. Together, we can help bring loved ones home.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Authorities say an auto theft investigation led them to find several blank key fobs on Monday.



Captain James Lovett with the Harris County Sheriff's Office shared an image on social media platform X showing the key fobs they had located. He said a programmer was also found.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- We all think we are smart enough not to get swindled, but are we? A Houston mother of two was working at her downtown Houston job when she received a call that sent her through a three-hour ordeal that ended with her losing thousands of dollars.

Teammate of the Week

Harris County Sheriff's Office Teammate of the Week: 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.

"I was pulled over by Deputy Hirsch, and even though I was in the wrong, he was very polite, courteous, and understanding. I just wanted to thank him and let him know he is doing a great job," said a Harris County resident. "I know officers don’t receive enough appreciation, and Deputy Hirsch deserves a compliment for the way he handled my traffic stop."

Deputy Aljoscha Hirsch began his law enforcement career in 2013 as a Detention Officer. In 2015, he became a Peace Officer for Harris County Precinct 4 and transferred to HCSO in 2023. Currently, he serves our community as a patrol deputy in District 4, located in West Harris County.

Scam Alert!

Scammers are pretending to be HCSO officers to steal your money! They may call or text, claiming you missed jury duty and demanding payment.

Remember: Law enforcement will NEVER:

• Call to demand money for missing jury duty.
• Ask for personal information over the phone.
• Threaten you with arrest for missing jury duty.

What to do if you receive a suspicious call:

• Hang up immediately!
• Verify your jury duty status: Call the Harris County District Clerk's Office at 713-755-6392.
• Report the scam: Call HCSO at 713-221-6000.

Stay vigilant and protect yourself!

Motorist Assistance Program

Tragic crashes involving disabled vehicles are on the rise. Did you know the Harris County Sheriff's Office offers free 24/7 roadside assistance through our Motorist Assistance Program (M.A.P.)? If you're stranded, call 713-CALL-MAP (713-225-5627). M.A.P. is available Monday through Friday.

Bank Jugging Alert!

Criminals watch people withdraw cash from ATMs or banks and then follow them to steal the money.

These incidents can happen quickly, especially when someone is alone or distracted. Always stay alert, avoid counting cash in public, and keep an eye out for suspicious individuals or vehicles nearby. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and contact law enforcement.

Stay vigilant and help us prevent these crimes!

Flying a Drone? Know the Rules!

Whether you're capturing epic footage or just having fun in the backyard — here’s what you need to know to fly legally and safely:

Recreational Flyers (Just for Fun):

• Must pass the free FAA TRUST test
• Fly under 400 ft and keep it in sight
• Stay away from people, cars, and emergency scenes
• Controlled airspace? Get FAA approval first
• Your drone must broadcast Remote ID info (or fly at an approved FRIA)

Commercial / Work-Related Flyers:

• Must have a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Follow strict FAA rules on airspace, altitude, and visibility
• Flying for business or law enforcement? Make sure you're certified!

Remember, never fly near wildfires, police scenes, or restricted areas. Violating FAA rules can result in fines and interfering with emergency operations could lead to criminal charges.

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD)

HCSO Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) 4 Day Training Class successfully completed! Our team provided this class to HCSO civilian employees, marking the relaunch of this program! We are incredibly proud of these amazing ladies as they stayed committed and completed the course like true champions! A huge thank you to the Katy Police Department for all of their assistance.

Please look out for upcoming class dates, which will be released soon! We are enthusiastic about relaunching this program to enhance community safety. Please be aware that our 2025 program schedule is complete. Additional pre-scheduled classes for this year will be announced soon and you will have the opportunity to register when the class is announced!

Texas Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office was proud to host the Texas Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. - FBINAA) for their April Luncheon.

We were honored to welcome Harris County District Attorney's Office Sean Teare as our featured presenter.

Thank you to everyone who attended. It was a privilege to connect, collaborate, and continue strengthening our partnerships in public safety.

2nd Annual Retiree BBQ Luncheon

HCSO fired up the grill for our 2nd Annual Retiree BBQ Luncheon at Alexander Deussen Park. From live music to delicious food and great company, it was a memorable day celebrating our incredible retired teammates.



Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Visit the Intranet and stay informed.

Happy Trails: HCSO Retirees

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.

Your High School Graduate Could Win $2,500 for College

You've remained steadfast in your commitment to saving for retirement. Participating in your employer's retirement program helps you plan for a successful future. Now, you can help your high school senior jump-start theirs.

Nationwide and the National Association of Counties want high school seniors to understand the importance of saving early for retirement.

To get them started, Nationwide will award four college scholarships - each worth $2,500 - to four high school seniors whose parents or grandparents participate in a NACo Deferred Compensation 457 plan.

Throughout their decades of partnership, Nationwide and NACo have remained committed to helping you plan for retirement and your family's future.

How to apply:

Complete an online application. As part of the application, your high school senior will be asked to write a short essay. Please keep the response to 500 words or fewer, and the student should answer in his or her own words.



See the attached flyer for details. 

Over 1,200 Employees Still Need Some Mandated Training

TCOLE records show over 1,200 HCSO personnel still require some mandated training (lack at least one required course or enough training hours). Check for your name on all tabs of the attached training non-compliance lists.

Complete your mandated training before 31 August 2025 – the sooner you complete your training, the quicker your name is off the list!

The tabs list different unit and cycle requirements for different certifications:

• PO Unit: peace officer requirements for the two-year training unit
• PO Cycle: peace officer requirements for the four-year training cycle
• PO Initial: basic peace officer requirements
• Jailer RO Cycle: jailer and reserve officer requirements for the training cycle
• Telecommunicator Unit: telecommunicator requirements for the training cycle

Peace Officers: Senate Bill 1852, in effect since 01 September 2023, mandates TCOLE to adjust minimum training requirements so that all Texas peace officers must attend a minimum of 16 hours of ALERRT active shooter training per two-year training unit.

• Over 900 HCSO personnel are still non-compliant on completing the ALERRT Active Shooter mandate.
• The deadline for all TCOLE training requirements to be met is 31 August 2025. Failure to meet training requirements will result in license reprimand or revocation.

See the information on the PDF attachment (four pages):

• Page 1: instructions on how to check your own compliance
• Page 2: available online courses that count toward mandated training
• Page 3: available in-person ALERRT Active Shooter training dates
• Page 4: point of contact information for scheduling in-person mandated training

If you have already completed required training recently, allow up to thirty days for TCOLE records to reflect course completion.

Questions? Contact the Academy: 713-274-4900