On behalf of the entire staff of the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

It is hard to believe that I took office one year ago, and I am very proud of all that we have accomplished this first year. Here are some of the highlights:

• Decreased the operating budgets of both the Sheriff’s Office and County Jail by streamlining various day-to-day standard operating procedures, and reducing overall spending.

• Continued to build strong and positive working relationships with all members of County Government.

• Worked with the County Judge and Commissioner’s Court to enhance Courthouse Security by creating a full-time Warrant/Court Officer to supplement part-time staffing.

• Worked with the County Judge and Commissioner’s Court to create one full-time Jailer position to help ease the workload on existing jail staff.

• Re-negotiated the Gonzales County Jail Commissary agreement to better benefit the inmate population by providing more purchase options; and increased the sales commission - funds which are solely used for the inmate services.

• Transitioned to the online Inmate Fund System JailATM, which has allowed easier deposit access to inmate accounts by family members, as well as, facilitating easier account reconciliation and auditing.

• Sold over $23,000 in forfeited property - proceeds of which were shared between the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office, Gonzales County Attorney’s Office, and Gonzales Police Department.

• Created an official agency website.

• Created the “GCSO Fallen Officer Memorial Scholarship” to provide a scholarship to one graduating senior from each of the county’s high schools: Gonzales High School, Nixon-Smiley High School, and Waelder High School.

• Partnered with area Neighborhood Watch Associations to build positive community relationships and aid with Crime Prevention efforts.

• Sponsored a county-wide forum covering church security issues.

• Sponsored an area-wide Crisis Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training seminar, partnering with the Gonzales Police Department, Texas Highway Patrol, and Texas Rangers Division

These are only the highlights of a job well-done by all the staff at the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office and Gonzales County Jail, all of whom I am extremely proud of for their dedicated service. There is a lot yet to accomplish, and we will continue work hard for our employers – all the Citizens of Gonzales County.