Latest news with #ShopwithaCop
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Officer escorting funeral procession is hit and killed by vehicle, Texas cops say
A police officer died after he was hit by a vehicle while escorting a funeral procession, Texas officials say. Sgt. J.D. White, a 19-year veteran with the Angleton Police Department, was critically injured in the crash on Sunday, June 1, and was flown from the scene by helicopter but died from his injuries, the department said. 'Sgt. White was widely respected for his leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to community service,' police said. The department shared few details about the collision but said the state Department of Public Safety is helping with the investigation. 'This is a tremendous loss for our department and the Angleton community,' police Chief Lupe Valdez said in a statement. 'Sgt. White was a trusted officer and a compassionate leader who brought heart to every aspect of his work. His dedication to the Shop with a Cop program, and his ability to connect with and uplift children in our community, speaks volumes about the kind of person he was. His absence will be deeply felt by us all.' The mayor of Angleton, John Wright, ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all city buildings for 14 days in honor of White, according to a news release. 'We encourage all residents, businesses, and institutions to join us in this gesture of respect and solidarity as we honor Sgt. White's life and legacy,' Wright said. Angleton is a roughly 45-mile drive south from Houston.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Angleton Police Sgt. J.D. White killed in line-of-duty crash
The Brief Angleton Sergeant J.D. White died in the line of duty over the weekend. Police say he was struck by a vehicle while escorting a funeral procession. He was with the department for 19 years. ANGLETON, Texas - An Angleton police sergeant was killed in the line of duty on Sunday, officials say. Sergeant J.D. White was with the Angleton Police Department for 19 years. What we know According to the Angleton Police Department, Sgt. White was struck by a vehicle while escorting a funeral procession. He was taken to the hospital by Life Flight, but he did not survive his injuries. What we don't know Further details of the crash have not been shared. It's unclear if anyone is facing charges. The Texas Department of Public Safety is assisting with the investigation. Sgt. White was with the department for nearly two decades, most recently serving as the Sergeant of Professional Integrity and APD's Public Information Officer. The department says he was "widely respected for his leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to community service." What they're saying "This is a tremendous loss for our department and the Angleton community," said Police Chief Lupe Valdez. "Sgt. White was a trusted officer and a compassionate leader who brought heart to every aspect of his work. His dedication to the Shop with a Cop program, and his ability to connect with and uplift children in our community, speaks volumes about the kind of person he was. His absence will be deeply felt by us all." APD "extends its deepest condolences to Sgt. White's family, friends, and fellow officers." They ask the public to keep his loved ones in their thoughts. The Source The information in this article comes from the Angleton Police Department.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dixon's new police chief plans to prioritize community policing, youth engagement
Jun. 1—DIXON — Under the leadership of Dixon's new chief of police, Ryan Bivins, the department will be enhancing its focus on community policing. "What I love is when officers are out of their squad cars in the neighborhoods," Bivins said. "If they see kids playing basketball, get out, play basketball with them, [or] actually stopping in businesses and getting that face-to-face contact with the business owner so they see us, they know who we are. It's an instant relationship-building connection." ExpandAutoplay Image 1 of 4 Sgt. Ryan Bivins will be sworn in as the newest Dixon Chief of Police on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Alex T. Paschal) Bivins said he will continue all of the community policing initiatives the department does now, such as Shop with a Cop and Clothes for Kids, among others, and will "even expand on some of those outreaches." A major priority is youth engagement. "I believe we can have a huge impact on the next generation, you know, with people seeing us beyond just wearing a badge, and investing into the community," Bivins said. When applying for the position of chief, final candidates spent about a month preparing a 10- to 15-page management action plan that details their vision for the department. For Bivins, the title of his plan was "Serving Beyond the Badge," he said. "It's just going beyond a normal thing that we're supposed to do as police officers," Bivins said. [ Bivins chosen as Dixon's newest police chief ] Bivins will officially assume his new role during his swearing-in ceremony Monday, June 2. Bivins' selection was announced Tuesday after the retirement of former Chief Steve Howell on May 9. Bivins' career in law enforcement began in 2008 with the Lee County Sheriff's Office as a corrections officer. After that, he joined the Dixon Police Department in 2009 and has served in many different roles, including patrol officer, detective, patrol sergeant, street crimes sergeant, detective sergeant and hostage negotiator. He leads the department's crisis prevention team and was instrumental in launching the police chaplain program, peer support program and first responder resiliency program, according to a news release sent Tuesday from the city of Dixon. "The favorite part for me has been the relationships that I've been able to build along the way — not just within the department, but with members of the community. We meet people in their highest and lowest moments, and it's a real opportunity to connect with people," Bivins said. Bivins' decision to work in law enforcement wasn't out of the ordinary because he'd grown up around it. His dad, Tim Bivins, was the Lee County sheriff for 20 years and had previously worked at the Dixon Police Department. Originally, Bivins was looking into becoming a youth pastor, but then "I felt called to go this route," he said. "I'm very thankful for that change, because I still think we have a lot of similarities — you get to help kids and be involved." Still, "my faith is very central to my life and kind of the foundation of who I am," Bivins said, adding that he continues to be very involved in his church by serving as a worship leader. Service has been a major motivator for everything in Bivins' work, marking the biggest reason he wanted to take on the role of police chief. "I don't want it for the title. I'm not a title person. I don't want it for the pay raise. I don't want it for, you know, a lot of reasons that people want a promotion sometimes," Bivins said. "I want to just continue to be able to serve the department. That's always been my goal as a leader is to serve those that I work with. I believe that in this role I can continue to do that, but also provide a vision for the department to keep moving forward." Before the interview process began, Bivins said, it was something that he sat down with his family to talk about "to kind of explain it's going to come with some more responsibility," and "they were all super supportive." "They are my rock," Bivins said. "Their love, encouragement and strength make everything I do possible." Bivins and his wife, Jordan, have been married 20 years and have four children — Carson, Brady, Bailey and Marley.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Acworth man convicted, sentenced for molesting 8-year-old child
The Brief 45-year-old Acworth man convicted of child molestation. Child found courage to tell mother after attending Shop with a Cop Christmas event. Dustin Wilkes sentenced to 40 years, with 20 served. CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga, - A 45-year-old Acworth man has been sentenced to 40 years, with the first 20 years in prison and the remainder on probation, for two counts of child molestation. What we know Dustin Luther Wilkes was sentenced on April 8 by Superior Court Judge Jennifer L. Davis, according to District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway, after being found guilty by a jury on Feb. 25. Wilkes is also forbidden to have contact with the named victims in the case. The Cherokee County investigation began in December 2023 after a child disclosed that Wilkes had been sexually assaulting her for several months. The defendant was known to the child and committed the acts when the child was in third grade. What they're saying "This predator manipulated his way into this family, to the point that he was often alone with an 8-year-old child and able to commit these criminal acts of molestation upon her. In the span of five months, a happy little girl became quiet and withdrawn," said Assistant District Attorney Meaghan Frankish, of the Special Victims Unit, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the State. It was while attending a Shop with a Cop Christmas event that the child found the courage to tell her mother what Wilkes had been doing. During a forensic interview, she described how Wilkes would climb on top of her and rub his body on her body and tell her he loved her. He also told her not to tell anyone what he was doing. The jury deliberated less than 30 minutes before finding Wilkes guilty. Prior to pronouncing her sentence, Judge Davis spoke about the bravery of the child and the positive impact law enforcement had on the course of her life through the Shop with a Cop event. The case was investigated by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Meaghan Frankish, of the Special Victims Unit, Office of the District Attorney, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Public meets new Buffalo Valley Regional Police Chief
LEWISBURG — Members of the public and local leaders met with the new chief of the Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department on Thursday. The event, which brought out approximately 30 people, was held at the CommUnity Zone at 328 Market St., Lewisburg. Police Chief Dan Embeck started in December, replacing the retired Paul Yost. 'It went very well,' Embeck, a former chief of South Williamsport with 25 years of police experience, said. 'It was nice to see members of the community come out and have an interest in the department, and express their interest in us making the community safer.' Embeck spoke about his plans for the department, which include a restructuring of leadership roles and promoting officers, as well as allowing facial hair for employees. He also recently ordered new radios and firearms. Embeck spoke about his hobbies — axe throwing and deer hunting—and what his involvement in the community will look like. He and officers will be involved in Camp Cadet, a dodgeball tournament, a Shop with a Cop Christmas gift program, Coffee with a Cop events and checking on businesses after-hours. 'All these community relationship building events, it's not just me or the commission pushing these things, the officers are all on board,' Embeck said. 'They like it.' Susan Colón, of Lewisburg, said she looks forward to learning more about Embeck. 'I think he'll do a great job,' she said. 'He comes with a lot of experience. I just wanted to meet him. It's important to know who our leaders are.' Elsie Underhill, of Lewisbug, said she enjoyed meeting Embeck. 'He's a great man,' she said. 'He has a lot of good potential and he did a great job tonight. I like how he wants to have a relationship between the police and the community.'
