Thursday evening, November 10th the FCSO held our annual office meeting to go over previous years statistics, discuss how we can continue to improve and adapt to our ever changing career, as well as, recognize outstanding performances over the last year for those deserving individuals.
Statistically, the Freestone County Sheriff’s Office had our most successful year as it relates to major crimes in the county’s jurisdiction. Major crimes as dictated by the state includes, Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Assaults, Burglary, Theft, and Motor Vehicle Theft (UUMV).
Since 2017, our first year and first term in office, our crime rate in the county jurisdiction had dropped 21%. This year we reached a decrease of 38%. This is a direct result of our county Deputies doing their job and moving about the county. As proud as I am of our entire agency this year, especially when our Dispatch and our Jail facility struggled heavily with manpower issues, I’m just as excited for our citizens who benefit from the protection and service these men and women provide to our county.
There were two employees that stood out this year, especially when you look at their totality of contributions they’ve made as a whole to their specific divisions within our agency.
This year’s very deserving recipients for awards and recognition were Officer David Filis, with our Jail Division, and Deputy John Steele in our Patrol Deputy Division.
Awarded the FCSO Employee of the Year Award was Ofc. Filis. Ofc. Filis is very dedicated to his job and our agency. He’s a consummate professional, can always be counted on when called upon, and always strives to do what is right and do it the right way. Our agency also values his Christian beliefs and values and we appreciate his service to our agency and the citizens of our county.
Awarded the Deputy of the Year Award was Deputy Steele. Deputy Steele has been a model of consistency since joining our team in 2017. His willingness to do whatever is necessary to assist other employees and our agency, and his high productivity in accomplishing tasks that are assigned to him makes him a tremendous asset to the FCSO. Deputy Steele does a lot of transports throughout Texas on a weekly basis and serves approximately 400 civil/criminal papers a year, yet still finds time to assist in so many other areas.
Please, join with the FCSO as we congratulate a couple of our fine employees we are lucky to employ and have serving for Freestone County.
While many counties across Texas are seeing crime increase over the years, our men and women at the FCSO have produced another solid year for the 5th year in a row. Despite Covid, legal/law changes, and the continuous manpower shortages we feel, the FCSO is getting the job done and the employees deserve all the credit and recognition they can get.
Here’s to another year of being blessed to work with some of the best.
Sheriff J. Shipley
