Police News

Crime Happening In Your Neighborhood?

To strengthen Sugar Land Police’s partnership with residents to deter crime, the City’s Web site is expanding the information available to citizens.

The week of July 19 the City plans to launch an automated version of the existing daily crime information page enabling a citizen to search current and archived information (up to two years) by the type of crime, date and the subdivision/commercial area of town.  The information will be automatically updated twice daily. 

“This is a quick way of providing information to our citizens about criminal activity in the community,” said Sugar Land Police Chief Lisa Womack.  “Information is powerful.  This enhanced automated service creates a stronger awareness with residents on criminal activity and we can work together to deter crime.”  

“Residents with questions on crime occurring in their neighborhoods should contact their beat crime prevention officer,” she added.  “Citizens can click on ‘crime prevention’ in the left column of the police web pages to contact an officer.” 

Visit the City’s homepage at www.sugarlandtx.gov, click on the police department, and then on the “crime report” button.

25 More Graduate From Missouri City Police & Citizens Academy

Missouri City has 25 more graduates to add to its long list of those completing the well established course curriculum of its Citizen’s Police and Fire Academy. The Fall 2005 class recently underwent graduation ceremonies after a six week intense program consisting of a two night a week commitment. “They (the participants) were provided with a unique insight into the operations of the Police and Fire Departments,” said Community Liaison Officer Dan Flagg. The culmination of the class features a police and firehouse special—a spaghetti dinner held in conjunction with the graduation ceremony awarding participants with a certificate of completion and a t-shirt memento.

Instruction and overview into the operations of the police and fire departments during the course work included fire arms simulator training, self-defense techniques, search and seizure operations, live fire demonstrations, jaws-of-life, and CPR training among other areas of the public safety sector. Participants continue to express their appreciation for the work of personnel in law enforcement and fire fighting as a result of the exposure and hands on training. The class content of the police and fire academy for Missouri City citizens is representative of the joint curriculum prepared by its police and fire departments.

Since 911, community residents have asked “How may I help during a time of emergency?” Officer Flagg invites citizens to participate in the citizens’ academy and its graduates to become members of the Missouri City Police and Fire Auxiliary and/or the Citizens Response Team. “Upon undergoing the Citizens Police and Fire Academy, graduates are eligible for membership in these organizations,” adds Officer Flagg. Those citizens’ organizations currently have over 30 active members participating in many community worthwhile events designed to assist the local public safety sector in different areas. Fore more information about the class offerings, the Police and Fire Auxiliary and Citizens Response Team, interested persons are asked to call 281/261-4387 or 281/261-4207.
 

4 Of Missouri City’s Finest Awarded By 100 Club

Missouri City’s public sector finest were among the 35 heroes honored by the 100 Club from throughout the Houston metro area as it celebrated its 50th Annual Awards Program on Wednesday, May 12th at the Doubletree Hotel. Among the total 11 Firefighter of the Year Award recipients was Justin Drake credited for starting the EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic First Response programs in Missouri City. Through his efforts, grants have been utilized to purchase defibrillators for public buildings for use in lifesaving circumstances. This initiative, also from Drake’s lead CPR training, supports the mission of public safety by Missouri City. 

“Justin is the type of firefighter that you wish you had a dozen of,” said Fire Chief Mark Ewald. “You point in the right direction and then get out of his way.” 

Of the 100 Club law enforcement award standouts, 24 of them excelling in their chosen professions included 3 from Missouri City. MCPD Officer Stephen Cook is among the 4 that received a “Rookie of the Year” award and MCPD Officers Joe Garza and Mike Zimmer were awarded under the “Officer of the Year” award category in a field of 20 Houston area standouts. 

MCPD Officer Stephen Cook, a rookie, received the nod for the award after his heroic action involving a vehicle rollover on fire with a trapped driver in it. Officer Cook entered the burning vehicle, cut the seat belt and saved the driver’s life as he took the victim to safety. The major accident, having occurred on U.S. 59 also brought out a Sugar Land Police unit which was witness to Cook’s heroic action. 

Officers Joe Garza and Mike Zimmer, the two other police award recipients from Missouri City were recognized for preventing an attempted suicidal death. Both officers investigated a suspicious vehicle in an area known for illegal activity and found an adult male inside with concentrated amounts of carbon monoxide fumes in the enclosed vehicle. The officers pulled the victim out while they subjected themselves to and inhaled substantial carbon monoxide poisonous fumes. This heroic deed from astute observations and actions prevented a fatality. 

"It is my honor to have these officers recognized by such a prestigious foundation as the 100 Club,” said MCPD Police Chief Ron Echols. “The 100 Club is such a beneficial partner to law enforcement and there are so many good things they do for us by providing survivor benefits to the families of fallen officers to enabling the purchase of public safety equipment in tough budgetary times where this would not be possible,” added Chief Echols. 

The 100 Club has a fourteen county coverage area including Austin, Brazos, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Madison, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Washington.  

Among Missouri City’s finest, Firefighter Drake, Officer Cook, Officer Garza and Officer Zimmer, joined other Fort Benders representing a total of 7 award recipients of the 35 from the Houston metro area. Other Fort Bend County recipients included Rosenberg Firefighter Bill Adams, who was presented a Firefighter of the Year Award and Deputy Timothy Oxley of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department and Officer Danny Cornelius, Jr. of the Sugar Land Police Department, who each received a Rookie of the Year Award. 

The Board of Directors of the 100 Clubs, Inc. will be providing each Firefighter of the Year recipient with a Cairns “Sam Houston Model” firefighter presentation helmet. Each helmet, highly regarded by the firefighting community, will be inscribed with the firefighter’s name.  

Each Officer of the Year award recipient received a Sig Sauer Model 229, .40 caliber semi-automatic commemorative pistol inscribed with the officer’s name, agency, and 100 Club award winner notation.  

Together with the special presentations at the annual banquet, the Firefighter of the Year award recipients were each given an etched jade glass firefighter’s ax and the law enforcement award recipients were given an etched jade glass award with the 100 Club logo to celebrate the 50th annual occasion. 

All 35 award recipients were selected by committees of their peers for their exceptional achievement in any police or firefighting endeavor, including extraordinary valor, crime prevention, investigative activity, community relations, juvenile programs, drug prevention and control, training programs, traffic safety and innovative approaches to police service or the firefighting profession. 

The 100 Club began in 1953 in Houston by 100 men who gave $100 each to assist law enforcement efforts in the area. The volunteer membership of the organization provides funds to dependants of peace officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty, educational opportunities and life saving equipment.

Photo Caption:  Sugar Land Police Municipal Court Warrant Supervisor Mike Richards was selected by the Sugar Land Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association as the 2003 Police Officer of the Year.   (L to R)  2002-2003 SLCPAAA Chairman of the Board Deb Smith  presents Officer Richards with a plaque to commemorate the prestigious honor.  The SLCPAAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports law enforcement.