Police Beat-Henderson County Now

Henderson County Crime Stoppers Re-Certified

Press release

The Texas Crime Stoppers Council held a meeting last week and voted to renew the certification of Henderson County Crime Stoppers, Inc. through May 2017.

The Texas Crime Stoppers Council and staff congratulated Henderson County Crime Stoppers “on its continuance as a certified Crime Stoppers program. Your program’s hard work will not only benefit your community, but will also help ensure safety and prosperity for the state of Texas.”

As a certified program, Henderson County Crime Stoppers is eligible to collect probation fees from adult probation, also known as community supervision and corrections departments.

Henderson County Crime Stoppers board president Glen Herriage said, “To be re-certified means we can collect money from the courts to use for the rewards, which in turn benefits the county because we get tips to get criminals off the street. That’s what we are for.”

AISD, Athens PD Investigate Allegations of Inappropriate Texts Between Teacher and Student

Athens ISD Superintendent Blake Stiles released the following statement this afternoon:

We were recently made aware of allegations regarding one of our employees and a student. An internal investigation was launched immediately, and the teacher in question has been placed on administrative leave.

The safety and well-being of our students are always of utmost concern to us. Accordingly, we are working in full cooperation with the Athens Police Department in this matter.

Because we are bound by law, we are unable to comment on any details of the investigation and must defer to the APD. Rest assured, however, that we are committed to doing all we can to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all our students.

The Athens Police Department released the following statement about the investigation:

The Athens Police Department has confirmed the existence of an active investigation regarding allegations of an inappropriate relationship between an Athens High School educator and student.

The allegations center on text communications between the educator and student, some of which could be regraded as inappropriate. The investigation is in its early stages and is ongoing. At this time there is no evidence to establish that physical contact has occurred between the student and educator.

Due to the age of the student, as well as the nature of the allegations, the names of the parties involved are being withheld pending the outcome of the investigation.

The police department has received full cooperation from the administrators of the Athens Independent School District, who are conducting a separate, administrative investigation into the allegations.

GBC Chase Ends In Arrest

Press release

On May 16, Officer Bird responded to the Dollar General Store in regards to a shoplifting incident. Bird viewed video showing the suspect and his vehicle.

Bird located the vehicle a short while later as it turned onto Southland Drive from West Main Street. Bird attempted to stop the vehicle and the driver fled in the vehicle. Bird pursued the vehicle as it fled back onto Main Street and turned onto Legendary Lane. Officers pursued the vehicle as it entered into the Eastwood Island Subdivision. Continue reading “GBC Chase Ends In Arrest”

GBC Traffic Stop Ends With Warrants, Drug Arrests

Press release

On May 13, Officer Kennedy of the Gun Barrel City Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of West Main Street for a traffic violation. Kennedy identified the driver as Rusty Duff, 36, of Mckinney Texas. The passenger provided a false name and was finally determined to be Angela Wisdom, 25, of Mabank.

During the encounter it was determined that Duff was wanted from the Collin County Sheriff’s Department for Credit Card Abuse and that Wisdom was wanted by the Gun Barrel City Police Department for five outstanding warrants, a warrant for Theft By Check from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department and Credit Card Abuse from the Collin County Sheriff’s Department. Continue reading “GBC Traffic Stop Ends With Warrants, Drug Arrests”

Sheriff’s Office Receives 123 Emergency Calls During Storm

Press release

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office received 123 emergency calls and as many calls to its non-emergency number during the storms early Monday morning. Most of the calls were regarding high water, downed trees andor road damage. Calls were responded to by ETMC EMS, almost every law enforcement agency and fire department within the county as well as TDCJ. At least 12 vehicles were reported to have been flooded and stalled on various roadways throughout the county. Responders were able to safely evacuate and escort civilians from the stalled vehicles.

Seven vehicles, however, were completed washed from the roadways on or near CR 1500, FM 3441, FM 59 and FM 317, leaving 11 people in the water. People were located standing on cars or clinging to trees and debris. Rescue efforts were conducted by numerous fire departments and law enforcement agencies. The Payne Springs Volunteer Fire Department Swift Water Rescue team recovered seven people stranded in the rushing water. One male was killed as the result of his motorcycle being washed from FM 59. He was recovered downstream from FM 59 near CR 41512 following a search that lasted several hours.