On December 16, 2008, Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy J. Copher was recognized as “Officer of the Month” by the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce. Deputy Copher is currently assigned to the Patrol Bureau in District 1 on the night watch. Since January 2008 Deputy Copher has responded to 871 calls for service and made 124 traffic stops. Additionally, he has made 73 felony arrests and 46 misdemeanor arrest which is the leading arrest total for District 1. Deputy Copher’s dedication to his profession and to the citizens of Harris County is apparent in his actions.

One of the more notable arrest occurred on June 12, 2008. The crime spree began at approximately 11:00 pm with a car-jacking at the Shell gas station located at 10750 Veterans Memorial, where the suspects robbed the complainant at gunpoint and stole his vehicle. The second robbery occurred on I-45 at the Home Depot parking lot in the 20000 block of I-45, and the third occurred across the freeway at the Shell gas station located at 110 E. Louetta. Deputy Copher was patrolling the 12203 block of Old Walters Road when he observed the vehicle matching the description of the vehicle taken in the car-jacking. Deputy Copher notified dispatch he had located the stolen vehicle with the suspects still inside. Deputy Copher followed the suspects until additional units could assist in a felony traffic stop. Three of the four suspects were taken into custody. The fourth suspect was filed on at a later date.

All of the suspects were charged with Robbery by Threat. Two of the four suspects were juveniles, the other two, both 17 years of age, were identified as Christian Robertson and Deshaun Giles. Robertson was later sentenced to 8 years confinement in TDC. Giles pled guilty and received 5 years Deferred Adjudication.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have Deputy Copher as one of our own.




DEPUTY C. FISHER
MEDIA LIAISON
DISTRICT 1 & 5

On July 8, 2006, Deputy Chris Mullins risked his life in order to save another. After observing a vehicle plunge into the Buffalo Bayou, Deputy Mullins jumped in to rescue a woman trapped in the over turned vehicle. Due to the muddy water, Deputy Mullins was unable to see the woman. After several attempts he was able to free the woman and pull her to safety. The unconscious woman had been submerged for approximately four minutes and was not breathing. Deputy Mullins administered stomach thrust and after a few minutes she coughed a large amount of water from her lungs and was able to breath on her own. Thanks to the heroic and relentless action of Deputy Mullins, the victim survived the accident; however, she later succumbed to an infection.
On May 9, 2007, Due to his heroic actions, Deputy Mullins received the State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Valor. Then again on May 10, 2007, he received the 100 Club Award. In addition, Deputy Mullins received the ASIS International Award for Public Safety on September 21, 2006.

On September 11, 2006, the Northwest Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Flag Ceremony at the Cypresswood Courthouse Annex. The ceremony was held in remembrance of those lost in the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Harris County Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to District 1 were in attendance along with several Precinct 4 Deputies and Cypress Creek EMS. Standing near by, Stephen Cookus, a junior from Klein Collins High School, played Taps on the trumpet. As the flags were being raised, all uniformed deputies and several civilian by-standers stood at attention. It was a somber moment as all reflected on the tragic event where so many lost there lives.

Deputy C. Fisher
MEDIA LIAISON
DISTRICT I & V

On June 30, 2006, Lt. Richard Sangemino retired after more than 27 years of Law Enforcement.

Richard Sangemino served three years in the Army as a Military Police Officer in the early 1970’s. When he returned home to Brooklyn, New York, he went to college on the G.I. Bill and received his Bachelors Degree from the State University of New York in 1977 where he graduated with honors. Richard moved to Texas in 1978 and was hired by the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department. In 1979 Richard went to work for The State of Texas. He returned to Harris County in 1982, this time as a Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy. His first assignment was in the Central Jail. He was transferred to District 4 Patrol in 1984. Deputy Sangemino was promoted to Sergeant in 1988, at which time he was transferred back to the Jail. Sergeant Sangemino was transferred to District 1 in 1989 where he assumed the duties of Night Shift Supervisor. Sergeant Sangemino was promoted to Lieutenant in 1991, and he was again transferred back to the Jail. Lieutenant Sangemino returned to District 1 for the final time in 1993. During his 13 plus year tenure as a Lieutenant in District 1, Lieutenant Sangemino served as the Watch Commander of each of the three shifts, most recently serving as the Day Shift Watch commander.

Lieutenant Sangemino has been very active in the community, both off-duty as well as on-duty. He has served on numerous committees on the North Side, and he has been active in several political campaigns. He was a member of the Willowbrook Annexation Task Force, a sworn member of the Grievance Committee of the State Bar of Texas, a member of the Great Northwest 2000 Committee, a member of the board of directors of Bridges Community Friends, a Friend of the Court of Precinct 4 Position 1, and a strong supporter of the Northwest Security Coordinators Association. Lieutenant Sangemino is a Life Member of the 100 Club of Houston, and is also a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Lieutenant Sangemino has plans to work on several local and national political campaigns in his spare time, and he will spend the bulk of his retirement traveling, fishing, and growing old with his wife Nancy.





DEPUTY COLEEN FISHER
MEDIA LIAISON
DISTRICT I

After 37 years of Law Enforcement, Deputy Ron Cunningham is still going strong.
Ron joined the United States Navy in 1961. After serving his full term he began his career in Law Enforcement May 1, 1967 with the Houston Police Department. During his tenure with HPD, Ron was a Patrol Officer, Criminal Investigator, Background Investigator, one of the first Field Training Officer’s, and a member of the first tactical squad known as T.A.C. which has evolved into what is now known as S.W.A.T. Ron was also one of the original officers to man the HPD storefronts when they opened. When he retired from HPD he was on patrol out of the Northwest Substation. After retiring from HPD he spent 2 years in the corporate sector as Regional Security Investigator for First City Bank of Texas. He investigated bank robberies and was head of security training. During this time he maintained his commission with the Precinct 2 Constables office as a reserve process server. In January 1991, Ron became a full time Deputy with The Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Due to his experience with HPD, Ron was assigned to the Training Division of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. As with HPD, Ron was one of the original Deputies to help launch the first storefront which was in District 1. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office currently has 5 such storefronts throughout Harris County. Ron is currently assigned as Media Liaison in District 1 and has served as such for the past 9 years. When District 5 opened, he covered the media for that district as well.

Ron and his wife Patti have lived in North Houston for 32 years. They have two grown children, Melynda and Darren. Melynda lives in Georgetown Texas with her husband and daughter. Darren lives here in Houston, with his wife and two sons. Darren has followed his father’s footsteps and is a HPD Officer.

Even though Ron is leaving the Harris County Sheriff’s Office after 15 years of service, he still can not call it quits. Deputy Ron Cunningham accepted the appointment as the new Chief of Police for the City of Magnolia. Ron will take office July 1, 2006, after his official retirement from The Harris County Sheriff’s Office on June 30, 2006.

DEPUTY COLEEN FISHER
MEDIA LIAISON
DISTRICT I

Once again the Harris County Sheriff's Office Team EX-Treme bowling team participated in the "Mary Debo Law Enforcement and Greater Houston Youth Bowling Tournament. This was the 11th annual tournament and Harris County Team Extream has participated in every one sice its inception. This tournament pits different local Law Enforcement Agencies against the top youth bowlers in the city of Houston.

The purpose of this tournament is to introduce the Houston youth to some incredible Law Enforcement Officers and to show them that Officers are more than a badge,gun and uniform.In addition, by the Officers caring to be involved on their own timw, you helped remind us of your ever constant presence while we are able to show the Officers that Houston still has some great kids. By the end of the tournament all the participants were able to walk away with more respect for one another.

Team EX-Treme members included Sergeant Dennis Brown(B.A.R.S.) Pamela Brown,Deputy Greg Wilbanks(Traffic Enforcement Division), Dennis Wilbanks and Detective Patrick Walker(Forgery Detective). Team Extreme claimed top Law Enforcement team with a 3 game total of 3.091 pins.Fun was had by all and plans for the 12th annual tournament are underway.

Theiss Elementary school located at 17510 Theiss Mail Route in district#1, put on a program called "THE MAIN EVENT". Deputies Benny Parsley and Steve Fontenot with the Harris County Sheriff's Office D.A.R.E. unit along with their Guitars put on a great show for the entire 5th grade classes. A good time was had by all.

On January 26,2006, the Gulf Coast Criminal Investigator Association at their monthly meeting, presented Detective Tom Keen of the Harris County Sheriff's Department attached to Sex Crimes division pesented him an award for his dedication and service to this organization. Detective Keen has been a member of the GCCIA since 1976 and served as Vice Chairman for the last nine years.

Detective Tom Keen deserves this honor and recognition for his professionalism and dedication to his job and promoting a closer working relationship between Law Enforcement and local businesses. Detective Keen is a credit to Law Enforcement and the Harris County Sheriff's Department.

Deputy Jerry LaSalle on Saturday,May 28,2005 was dispatched to the Windcrest apartments, 10455 Green's Crossing, apartment #814 regarding an in progress disturbance in which the male subject was allegedly breaking out windows in the apartment.

When Deputy Lasalle arrived at apartment#814, he heard glass breaking and a female's voice yelling, "STOP! STOP!" as he looked through the apartment window,the deputy observed the suspect holding a knife to the neck of the female complainant. He also observed that both parties had an extensive amount of blood on her upper body. Deputy LaSalle immediately ordered the male to drop the knife and walk outside the apartment. The suspect replied to the deputy,"If you come in here, I amgoing to kill her!" The female yelled at the deputy"He is trying to stabme with the knife!" The male suspect continued to hold the female at knifepoint,stating, he was going to kill her with the knife,"and I want you to see it!"Deouty LaSalle then kicked the door, push

Friday, September 10,2004, Harris County Sheriff's Deputy S. Spillers, was dispatched to the 10500 block of LineCamp in reference to two black males stealing mail from the neighborhood mail boxes. Witnesses stated that they observed two men pull up to a neighbors mail box and take the mail out and drove off in a gold colored Chevrolet S10.

Deputy Spillers, while checking the area for the vehicle, observed two black males in a gold colored Chevrolet S10 traveling west in the 9300 block of Jones Road. Deputy Spillers made a traffic stop and identified the driver as Charles Smith. He was wearing a white baseball cap and a grey T-shirt matching the description given by the witnesses. A second black male was sitting in the passengers seat and identified as Ronald Thibodeaux. Deputy Spillers observed several opened envelopes laying on top of the center console between the driver and the passenger seat. The suspect's were placed into custody and transported back to the scene where thet