Lord have mercy, has it been hot! We have been luckier than most though with a few small showers of rain, but it's still hot! I don't know about the rest of you, but I am so looking forward to some cooler weather.

Well, let's get to it and see what's been happening around the county. I have been having a real hard time doing these reports due to the fact that I have so many other reports that I have to do yet, there are some of you who remind me that I need to keep you in the loop as well, so here it goes.

The Sheriff's Office has been really busy and with school kicking off again, well, it's about to pick up even more. Let's start with school and go from there. Just a few reminders that with all the little kiddos running around the school and learning their new classrooms, we really need to slow down. Speeding, seat belts and cell phones are the most important things. Keep your speed down to or maybe even below the posted speed limits. No cell phone use in the school zones at all and please make sure those kiddos are all buckled up. I would even write my mother for that one, just don't tell on me.

We need to all keep our fire departments and our EMS in our prayers. There has been a huge increase in the number of calls that they have been responding to this month. The fire departments have been stretched to their max on several occasions and yet they still keep holding the line. It is important that we understand that the heat and humidity right now are extremely dangerous and if you don't have to burn, please don't. There is a burn ban on at this time and we are praying for more rain, but let's all do our part to help.

I want to personally thank every individual who assisted at the accident on Hwy 16 South last week. It was a tragic accident and we lost a super man who defended our children who can't defend themselves in court. Those who stopped to assist, the fire departments, TxDOT, EMS, law enforcement, even the wrecker crews were all at the top of their game and did an outstanding job at the tragic scene. To Steve's family, I want to say that you are in our prayers, to Steve, I want to say, "Ride on my friend and thanks for everything!" Our prayers are with the other two individuals who were injured and with their families as well.

Now for a little advice for the up and coming criminal investigators out there. When working a crime scene and you feel the need to check the scene from the outside, never assume the criminals actually used the ladder that was at the scene. Never then use that ladder to examine the second story window, thinking that since you think that they used it, you can too. Huge mistake, believe me, huge mistake. Now in doing this, I can tell you for sure that it is not the fall that gets you, not at all. It's that sudden stop at the end of the fall. Now when you're lying there on your back and the pain is screaming throughout your body, do not show it to anyone. I say this because there is always someone who is there to witness these investigative mistakes, always. Don't let them help you up either, because due to the fact that they are laughing so hard they aren't going to be much help anyway, and will drop you once or twice. Now, when you have regained your composure and you have solved the crime and are feeling better about yourself, know this one thing... No one has to know that when the crooks confessed that they actually climbed the big tree beside the window and did not use the ladder at all. Good luck in your future investigations. Oh yeah, one more thing, when assisting firemen and you grab one of their firehoses, be sure that all of the firefighters on that department aren't 300 pounders 'cause a high pressure fire hose can whip your already bruised and battered body, as quickly as a fall from a ladder.

Well, we are hoping that if you see anything suspicious in your neighborhood or out in the county, that you will call us right away. You can reach us at 325-372-5551 or 325-372-5432, day or night.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support.

Sheriff Brown