May 2016
In this issue:
Thank You Notes to the HPOU
Tom Kennedy
HPOU, Thank you for the large plant in memory of our son. We appreciate your thoughtfulness. The Sterlings HPOU, Thank you all so much for the beautiful plant sent for Mother’s service. The support you’ve all shown is truly remarkable and reminds me that we are family. Thank you all, Veronica & Bert McDonough HPOU, Read More Read more
May 2016 Obituaries of HPD Family Members
Tom Kennedy
BERTRAM Retired Police Officer Ernest G. Bertram passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2016. He joined Police Academy Class No. 20 on December 29, 1958, and retired on March 31, 1988. Officer Bertram is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Mrs. Irene Bertram. Services were held March 9 with burial in South Park Read More Read more
Psych Services: Got Stress? Here’s some advice
SONIA BURLINGAME
Perhaps you have been struggling with your marriage, have been grieving a loss, have been worried about your child, or have been concerned about your mood. If so, you may have considered coming to Psychological Services for help but felt unsure or unclear of how it all works, and were reluctant to ask. For that Read More Read more
Fallen Heroes: William Edwin DeLeon
Nelson Zoch
March 29, 1982 William Edwin DeLeon was born on October 3, 1946 in Nacogdoches. His family moved to Houston and he attended schools in the Aldine area and graduated from Aldine High School. He then attended South Texas Junior College. He joined the Houston Police Department by entering Police Cadet Class No. 39 on August Read More Read more
CEASE Network Award – Law Enforcement Innovation for Vice Division, Houston PD
Vice Division Staff
On March 10, 2016, the Houston P.D. Vice Division received the “Law Enforcement Innovation Award” from CEASE Network. (CEASE = Cites Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation) The CEASE Network is a collaboration of pioneering cities committed to reducing sex-buying by 20 percent in two years. This action-oriented network is dedicated to innovating, testing, and sharing strategies Read More Read more
HPOU joins the Texas Narcotics Officers Association to conduct advanced undercover training sessions
Mike Ybanez
From Feb. 22 to March 4 students from around the United States reported to Houston, the epicenter of narcotics activity in the Southwest United States, to attend unique training classes designed to provide undercover officers with the techniques and survival tactics necessary to develop or compliment their present undercover experience. The courses were broken down Read More Read more
Book Review: New book about HPD ‘career cases’ makes for good read
M. D. Beale
Blood Trails Across Texas (Texas True Crime, Volume 1) By Sgt. Brian Foster (HPD Homicide, Retired) Black Dog Swamp Publishing Company, LLC. $12.95 www.texastruecrime.com I really liked this book. It was a quick read for me. It was like sitting in on a “bull session” with these officers telling their stories. The thought that came Read More Read more
A history of HPD’s ever-popular, hard-working K9 corps
Earl Musick
As police officers we learned very quickly that the most dangerous people in society are individuals who believe they have nothing to lose. Because we are called upon daily to deal with these types of individuals, it is important to know who will have your back when the storm hits. One’s own life often depends Read More Read more
HPOU honors Officers Flores and Tafhurt For their ‘shatter’ work while on patrol
Tom Kennedy
The Houston Police Officers Union honored Westside Officers Xavier Flores and Nicole Tafhurt as Patrol Officers of the Month at the March general membership meeting. Lt. M. J. Faulhaber described Flores and Tafhurt as “pro-active officers that have identified and addressed a hot spot area along the Interstate 10 corridor that has resulted in several Read More Read more
HPOU honors Vice undercover officer Patterson for his work saving 4-year-old from sex predator
Tom Kennedy
The Union honored Vice Officer Justin Patterson as Investigator of the Month in the March general membership meeting. Patterson, who works undercover, was surfing online adult websites used in prostitution investigations when he was able to make an appointment to allegedly have sex with a four-year-old girl for $1,000. Vice Lt. Catherine Richards outlined what Read More Read more
HPD Calf Scramble Posse members turn out to be matchmakers by ‘performing’ real marriage between two successful scramblers
Tom Kennedy
The HPD Calf Scramble Posse – whose annual job is preparing nightly calf scramblers for their undaunted tasks – has officially gotten into the marriage business. Two scramblers that Posse members “matched” three years ago at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo have actually tied the knot. Well, the Posse theoretically “married” them – even Read More Read more
Veteran prosecutor Bill Exley working with police officers To put felony teeth in what he terms ‘Predatory Theft’ law
Tom Kennedy
Bank juggers have too much incentive. They commit frequent crimes that have big rewards – sometimes as much as $150,000 – with little risk. Investigators and prosecutors believe arrest and conviction usually net little jail time, enabling them to return to free society and repeat the offense numerous times with little fear of being caught. Read More Read more
Northeast Tact takes lead in continuous battle Against low-risk, high-reward bank juggers
Tom Kennedy
Nothing angers and frustrates a dedicated police officer more than an increase in the number of crimes that offer a high reward with little if any risk. Even if caught in the act the jail time for a convicted suspect can be termed minimal at best. Investigators across the state of Texas are angered and Read More Read more
Editorial: HPD’s Tact teams got out front fighting bank juggin’ Operations, now hoping for new ‘Predatory Theft’ law
Tom Kennedy
ONCE AGAIN WE SEE THE TREND-SETTING capabilities officers of the Houston Police Department. Recently the Badge & Gun featured the national recognition bestowed on the HPD Homeless Outreach Team, whose practices used to deal with big-city homeless problems are being studied and copied by other police departments throughout the nation. It was but one example Read More Read more