National Correctional Officers week, May 4 - 10

At Monday’s Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court meeting, the court approved two proclamations with one involving the National Correctional Officers Week from May 4 through May 10, while the other designated May 11-17 as Police Week, that includes May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Reading from the proclamation on National Correctional Officers week, Commissioner Wayne Faircloth said, “ Historically, correctional officers have been viewed as ‘guards’ occupying isolated and misunderstood positions in prisons and jails. In recent years the duties of these officers have become increasingly complex and demanding. They are called upon to fill, simultaneously, custodial, supervisory and counseling roles. The professionalism, dedication and courage exhibited by these officers deserve our utmost respect.”

Sheriff Steven Greenwell spoke to the court presenting details of what the LCSO jailers deal with on a day and night basis.

Greenwell said as of Friday, April 25, the jail had 37 inmates who are pretrial felons awaiting adjudication.

He said of those inmates, 6 are convicted felons awaiting transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

In addition, Greenwell reported on an informal survey conducted at the jail in which they determined 40% of the inmates had been diagnosed with mental health and intellectual disability issues and 30% demonstrated acute mental health issues.

“These are the individuals our jail staff is providing care, custody and control 24-7, 365 days a year,” Greenwell said. “It’s a very difficult job those men and women have to do and this proclamation goes a long way to demonstrate our appreciation and thankfulness to them for dealing with the individuals that frankly we don’t want on the streets of Lavaca County.”

The second proclamation is a two-fold proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and the week of May 11 through May 17 as Police Week.

Commissioner Kenny Siegel read the proclamation saying, “It is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards and sacrifices of their law enforcement agency. The men and women of the law enforcement of Lavaca County unceasingly provide a vital public service.”

Siegel also read about Peace Officer Day saying, “It’s a day to honor those law enforcement officers, who, through their courageous deeds made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community or have become disabled in the performance of duty. Let us also recognize and pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes.”