Potter County Sheriff's Office
May 2016 Newsletter
"Police of officers make split second decision every day, make judgement calls as a part of their job. Their intention is not to cause harm. Their intention is to avoid harm. If an officer makes the wrong call it not only affects the citizens of the city, but also affects the officers themselves in ways only someone who has walked in their shoes can fully understand. Cops are held to a higher standard of accountability than the rest of the population; as it should be. But never forget, that they are people too. Men and women subject to the same doubts and regrets that all of us are. I'm not asking anyone to cut them slack. But a little recognition for the condition under which our men and women operate, that'd go a long way." - Frank Reagan
Enforcement
Employee of the Quarter
Corrections
Commendations
Congratulations to the following employees on their commendations for the first quarter.
Tracy Montano
Sharon Powell
Cpl Kevin Mashburn
DCO Thomas Blanchard
Cpl Ervey Almanza
Deputy Jeremy Beghtel
DCO Shelbie Scott
DCO Dennis Beyer
CO Matthew Dixon
CO Stelton Crain
DCO Nicholas Scott
Jennifer Edmiaston
Deputy Greg Chester
Deputy Jeffrey Samaniego
Sgt Robert Huddleston
Deputy Kevin St Hilaire
Sgt Clay Atkins
Deputy Jason Wilkins
Lt Scott Giles
Sgt Michael Blackmon
National Police Week May 15-21, 2016
HISTORY
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year.
The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil, which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and seminars sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
National Police Week draws in between 25,000 to 40,000 attendees. The attendees come from departments throughout the United States as well as from agencies throughout the world. This provides a unique opportunity to meet others that share a common brotherhood. In that spirit, the Fraternal Order of Police DC Lodge #1 sponsors receptions each afternoon and evening during Police Week. These events are open to all law enforcement personnel and are an experience unlike any other.
Potter County Employee Benefit Board Hamburger Cook
Citizen Kudos!!! Thank you Deputy Etheredge for shining a positive light on Potter County, TX!
PRO Mentor Luncheon
GO TEAM!
Congratulations to dispatchers Willis Orcutt (Telecommunicator of the Year), Amanda Jones (Silent Hero) and Kellie Harwell on winning awards at the annual Telecommunicators Banquet.
A personal note from Harwell: "I was so thrilled and surprised to receive the Thin Gold Line Award recently at the Potter Randall County 911 District Telecommunicator Banquet. What an honor – thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to work in a setting where people care about quality and commitment. Again, thank you for the recognition."
A note from T&P
Attention Peace Officers,
Effective September 1, 2015, DPS has streamlined the process of applying for a handgun license for peace officers. The entire process is now online. Visit www.dps.texas.gov and follow the tabs. You apply online and no longer have to submit fingerprints – the state will use the fingerprints already on file for your peace officer license. For a $25 fee (that you pay online) and a few minutes of your time, you can get your handgun license in about 6 weeks. Unfortunately, no streamlined process exists for county corrections officers.
Promotions and Transfers
DCO Dennis Beyer was promoted to Deputy and transferred to Enforcement.
Sgt. David Brown was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and transferred to Corrections.
Sgt. Craig Smith was transferred from CID to 2nd Shift Patrol.
Upcoming Classes
Auto Theft Training - May 3-5 - Lubbock, TX
Surviving Verbal Conflict - May 4-5 - AC West Campus
Spillman TX User's Group - May 5-6 - New Braunfels, TX
There's No Such Thing as Routine - May 14th - AC West Campus
Firearms Instructor - May 16-20 - RCSO Range
TEEX Defensive Tactics Instructor - June 6-10 - Bryan, TX
Basic Polygraph Examiner Training - June 6 - August 12 (10 weeks) - AC West Campus
Building Warrior Women - June 13-15 - PCSO Range
Detective & New Criminal Investigator - June 13-17 - Georgetown, TX
With a Heavy Heart
Potter County lost one of it's own last month, retired Deputy Steve Wells. Rest in peace bother, we will take it from here.
Please keep Office Ashley Coone in your thoughts and prayers, her grandfather passed away in Louisiana.
Please keep Reserve Glenda Utsey in your thoughts and prayers, her mother recently passed.
Word
"Something is not proper simply because it is permissible, nor is it ethical just because it is legal."
"You start ignoring minor offenses, they become bigger ones. The broken window theory proves out time and again."
"I am going to give you the respect you don’t give me."
"Past heroism is no excuse for present misconduct."
Tomfoolery
Potter County Sheriff's Office
Email: somja@co.potter.tx.us
Website: pottercountysheriff.org
Location: 608 S Pierce St, Amarillo, TX, United States
Phone: 8063792900
Facebook: https://facebook.com/PCSO50