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www.tcsheriff.org April was a very acve animal month. I enjoyed the honor of co-presenng with Sergeant Charles Jantzen, Harris County Constable Precinct 5 Animal Crimes Unit on April 7 th , at the 2017 Animal Law Instute. We talked about the day-to-day scenarios encountered by depu- es or detecves invesgang animal cruelty cases and associated law enforcement requirements. The event featured a number of highly qualified speakers and it was beneficial to learn from their presentaons. On April 13 th , I parcipated in a press conference that recognized Child Abuse Prevenon Month. The Center for Child Protecon introduced its newest member, Mickler, a therapy dog. Mickler will interact with chil- dren in a manner we adults just can’t. He’ll provide com- fort and help them through the whole criminal jusce process. We at the Travis County Sheriff’s Office value our part- nership with the Center for Child Protecon because of their commitment to collaboraon with local agencies and their willingness to find unique and innovave ways to serve these young vicms of abuse. It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the loss of our beloved Patrol Service Dog Duke. Duke served with our agency for four years and was responsible for suspect searches and finding drugs. He rered in 2014 due to a medical condion and passed away on April 3 rd , 2017. We are so grateful for his service. You’ll find more about Duke in this edion. Duke was replaced by K9 Bobek who is also an extraordinary service dog. “Love is a four-legged word.” MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF HERNANDEZ EASTER EGG HUNT On April 15 th , churches and neighborhoods through- out Travis County hosted community Easter egg hunts. Our depues aended several of them and the kiddos loved it! Once those doors opened, the kids could meet a deputy, turn on the lights and even acvate the sirens. It was a fun day for the kids and for us! It’s not easy to be in the hospital when you’re a kid especially during a holiday like Easter. Sheriff Sally Hernandez, Chief Deputy Anthony Johnson, Senior Deputy Vincente Galloway and Community Liaison Nicole Durand spent an aſternoon with the kids at Dell Children’s Hospital, handing out bunnies and enjoying some playme laughter. This year’s visit was the connuaon of a long me partnership with the Easter Bunny Foundaon. K9 Duke was a brave German shepherd that served the Sheriff’s Office for four years, searching for suspects and drugs, unl he rered in 2014 due to a medical condion. “Duke had a kind heart. Even though he was a service dog, he was a kind dog.” said Senior Deputy Oscar Gonzalez. Upon rerement, Duke was integrated into Gonzalez’s family. “Duke adapted to our family eas- ily and spent the rest of his life protecng my son. He followed him everywhere and slept with him every night unl he passed.” Thank you Duke for your loyal service to Travis County. ANIMAL CRUELTY PREVENTION MONTH As Animal Cruelty Prevenon Month wraps up this April, it is a great me to remind folks that abusing ani- mals is a crime. Fortunately, Travis County and the City of Ausn have put systems into place that make it easy to report suspected animal cruelty. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office has two detecves assigned to the invesgaon of animal cruelty, abusive animal breeders and animal hoarders. We also have two depues assigned to the Estray Unit dedicated to pro- tecng livestock from harm, theſt or roaming at large. Animals that are caught roaming are impounded and listed on our website so that owners can idenfy and claim their animal(s). In addion to Travis County, our Estray Unit also impounds livestock within the City of Ausn. To report animal abuse or neglect as well as dangerous animals, you can call 3-1-1 if you live in the city of Ausn or (512) 854-9721 if you live in the unincorporated area of Travis County. If an animal is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1. Don’t forget, you can find a forever friend of your very own by adopng a pet from the Ausn Animal Center. ANIMAL CRUELTY CRIME TIPS DOGS 101 PROGRAM We have teamed up with the Ausn Animal Center to create a unique program involving our inmate populaon and shelter dogs, called Dogs 101. This four-week course allows inmates to acquire transferable skills like leader- ship, responsibility and accountability, while helping the shelter dogs to become more adoptable. Inmates who have earned the privilege of parcipang in the course receive hands on training with the dogs. Basic commands such as sit, stay, loose-leash walking and socializaon skills are taught by the inmates. The Ausn Animal Center provides volunteers and supplies to make the program a success. Dogs with basic obedience skills are more likely to be adopted into loving homes, cung costs for the shelter. In addion, the inmates learn skills that can help them find jobs and make them beer pet owners. It’s truly a win-win for both the inmates and the dogs. We look forward to expanding on this unique program this year. RETIRED TCSO K9 DUKE EASTER HOSPITAL VISIT FITNESS STAR In addion to a required Physical Readiness Test for all officers, an incenve program is offered to all employees for personal health and fitness goals. The Fitness Star achievement pin is earned by those who score 90% or above on both the 2,000 meter row and the Combat Fitness test which includes wall balls, sumo deadliſt high pulls, and more. Employees that score between 75% - 90% on both of these tests receive a fitness ribbon. We are proud to recognize the following employees who have earned the Fitness Star to date: Donald “Trey” Banks, Anna Braden, Derek Cairo, Julia Carrillo, Corey Dennis, Ian Driscoll, Joseph Ensminger, Allisia Gaskamp, James Gonzales, Brian Harthausen, Makara Kry, Ermir Lalollari, Dirk Lee, Jeremy McGavin, Aaron Marco, Richard Millers, Travis Morgan, Salvador Padilla, Walter Pyle, Leonardo Quintana, Tarkan Roberts, Trent Roe, Robert Sabin, Jeremy Sistrunk, Saul Mireles-Torres, Carolina Villarreal, Jerry White, Bryan Whoolery, and Joseph Zahn. On April 19 th , Sheriff Hernandez and Ellen Halbert spoke to students at Lake Travis High School as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Halbert shared her story as a survivor of sexual assault and Sheriff Hernandez provided students with crime stascs and precauonary measures to prevent them from becoming vicms. This was the 7 th year the women have brought this vital informaon to Lake Travis High School. Leſt to right: Senior Deputy Lisa Lucas, K9 Dakota, Ellen Halbert, Senior Deputy Nathan Iacono, Sheriff Hernandez and Lake Travis High School Teacher Mallory Shackleford. SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
