Kendall County Sheriff’s Office
2014
Annual Report
SHERIFF AL AUXIER
Contents
Letter from the Sheriff………………………………………………………………………………………………….1
Preface…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2
Mission/Values…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
Accomplishments………………………………………………………………………………………………………...4
Goals for 2015……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Patrol/Investigations………………….………………………………………………………………………………..7
Statistical Data/Calls for Service…………………………………………………………………………………..8
Detention/Statistical Data………………………………………………………………………………………….10
Community Services Unit…………………………………………………………………………………………..15
Animal Control/Statistical Data………………………………………………………………………………….17
Organization Chart…………………………………………………………………………………………………….20
Dear Constituents,
First, let me say that on behalf of all the members of the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, it has
been a pleasure serving this community. I am grateful to the dedicated men and women of this
organization who have committed themselves this past year to providing quality law
enforcement services to our county. Our employees are our number one asset and they are
constantly striving to improve. Without their dedication and professionalism, the successes of
this past year could not have happened.
During our first year in office we identified many areas that needed improvement. We set goals
and worked hard to achieve them. Our second year saw new goals and again we were successful
in meeting them. We have modernized our technology by adding laptops and iPads to our patrol
fleet and CID, thus allowing deputies to remain in the field longer. We have become a Contract
Training Provider which, for the first time ever, allowed us to hold our own in-service training.
We have upgraded our records management system and integrated our mobile systems with
Boerne Police Department’s Computer Assisted Dispatching system. All of this is designed to
share information and data between the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, the Boerne Police
Department and the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department. More importantly, this technology helps
make Kendall County a safer place to live, work and raise a family.
There is still a lot of work to be done, however, I cannot help but feel inspired by the men and
women of the Sheriff’s Office. Our deputies continue to amaze me by their dedication and
commitment to the community they serve. Of course, we could not be successful without the
overwhelming support we have received from this great community. Thank you!!
Sincerely,
Sheriff Al Auxier
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Preface
The Texas Constitution, Article 5 Judicial Department, established the office of Sheriff
in each county in Texas. In 1862, John Sansom, a retired Texas Ranger, was appointed
the first Sheriff of Kendall County. On January 1, 2013, Al Auxier was sworn in as the
29th Sheriff of Kendall County. As the chief executive of the office, the Sheriff has full
authority and responsibility for the management, direction and control of the
operation and administration of the office.
The Sheriff is also responsible for the operation of the county jail and for the housing
of prisoners arrested within the county. The Sheriff must submit monthly reports to
the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, and in turn the jail is inspected by the
Commission on an annual basis. Kendall County has an agreement with Boerne and
Fair Oaks Ranch for costs associated with housing of prisoners prior to their formal
commitment to jail by a Magistrate. The Kendall County Detention Facility has a
capacity of 54 prisoners.
The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is comprised of 82 employees. This includes 48 full
time and two part time certified peace officers who perform the various functions of
a Sheriff’s Deputy, 20 Detention Officers who work in the detention facility, three
animal control officers, and nine civilian employees who provide valuable clerical and
other support for the office.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kendall County has a total area of 663 square
miles, of which 662.5 square miles is land. Interstate 10, U.S. Highway 46 and 87 are
the major transportation routes through Kendall County, with Farm to Market 473,
474 and 1376 also providing routes through the county. As of the 2010 census, the
population of Kendall County was 33,410. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is the
primary law enforcement agency for the unincorporated areas of Kendall County,
including the township of Comfort.
This report provides statistical and informational data for 2014. Not all activity by
deputies and civilian employees of the Sheriff’s Office can be captured; however, we
believe this report will provide an accurate reflection of the more important activity
during this time period.
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Mission
The mission of the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is to protect the lives and property
of the residents and visitors of Kendall County through professional policing,
community partnerships, and the efficient management of personnel and resources .
Values
Professionalism - We foster a climate of excellence by recruiting, selecting, and
training exemplary deputies and detention officers, and we encourage employee
growth and development through extensive training opportunities.
Integrity - To forge healthy, trusting relationships with the people of Kendall County,
we demand that employees of the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office demonstrate
ethical consistency in their professional and personal lives.
Accountability - We are responsible and accountable for our actions. Thus, we expect
our officers to exercise self-restraint in times of crisis, and we expect our
enforcement actions to adhere to the facts at hand.
Justice - The administration of law and order is based upon the ideals of justice and
fairness for our diverse community. All citizens and visitors--including those
suspected of crimes--will be treated with respect, dignity and fairness.
Courage - We will act boldly to serve our community, and we will make tough
decisions based on what is best for our citizens and visitors, the Kendall County
Sheriff Office and the individual employee involved, while acting in accordance with
the values described above.
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Accomplishments
Completed the switch from 900 to 700 MHz radio system, to include the installation of mobile
radios in patrol cars and issue of hand held radios to all deputies.
Completed the installation of mobile data equipment into the patrol fleet and began operation
of laptop computers in patrol vehicles.
Completed the purchase and installation of the Tyler Technology Incode Records Management
System. This system is on a shared file server housed at the Boerne Police Department.
Information and data is now shared between the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, Boerne Police
Department and the Fair Oaks Police Department. On May 21 st, 2014, Tyler RMS went “Live” in
the Sheriff’s Office. Patrol Deputies can now access information and write reports from their
patrol vehicles. This system includes AVL technology that allows the dispatchers and patrol
supervisors to monitor the location of patrol vehicles throughout the county.
The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office was approved as a contract training provider through TCOLE.
As a result, the Sheriff’s Office held its first in-service training classes. In the past, deputies were
required to find and attend classes that were required by TCOLE rules. In many cases, deputies
paid for the classes themselves. As a contract training provider, all required training can now be
received through the Sheriff’s Office. This service was also provided to the Boerne Police
Department, who allowed us to use their training facilities, and the Fair Oaks Ranch Police
Department.
Application was made to the Texas Police Chief’s Association for the Recognition Program. After
an initial inspection of the Sheriff’s Office the application was accepted and we started the
process to become a recognized agency.
Our Policy and Procedure Manual was completely revised to include standards recommended by
the Texas Police Chief’s Association “Best Practices” standards and Texas Association of Counties
standards
An employee performance evaluation system was implemented for the Sheriff’s Office and
Detention personnel.
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Our patrol fleet was upgraded by replacing older, high mileage, vehicles with new vehicles and
purchasing low mileage used vehicles for CID.
The old audio and video equipment in the interrogation room of the Criminal Investigation
Division was replaced with high quality, state of the art equipment.
The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Boerne and Fair Oaks Police Departments,
have formed and participated in exercises as part of joint Emergency Response Team. This team
has been training as a unit for several months and it has been involved in the running of “highrisk” warrants, in both Boerne and Kendall County jurisdictions.
The Detention Center passed the annual jail inspection. In 2013, we were required to have a plan
in place to repair the numerous leaks in the roof over the jail. This was accomplished and the roof
repairs were completed.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Majestic Ranch Arts Foundation, the Kendall County
Animal Control and Adoption Center received a $35,000.00 mobile adoption trailer. This trailer
has been taken to several pet adoption events throughout Kendall County and has been well
received by the citizens.
Our animal shelter passed its annual Texas Department of Health shelter inspection. This
inspection covers the sanitation of the facility, its quarantine protocol, the overall living
conditions for the animals, and shelter paperwork.
A process has been put in place where local veterinarians have agreed to come to our animal
shelter once a week to assess the health condition of our animals. About 20 local veterinarians
have agreed to participate by volunteering their time and resources to insuring that the animals
in our shelter receive necessary care and that the animals we adopt out are healthy.
A Kendall County animal shelter advisory board was developed. This board meets once a quarter
to discuss ways to improve our shelter and adoption process.
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Goals for 2015
Complete the Recognition Program and receive recognition for Best Practices at the Texas
Association of Police Chief’s Association Conference.
Approve plans and secure funding for a new facility based on the needs assessment.
Purchase and install iPads in the patrol vehicles to eliminate the need to switch out computers at
each shift change.
Transition to handheld ticket writers and integrate the ticket writing process into the JP Courts
Brazos ticket system.
Expand training opportunities to our deputies via our status as a contract training provider. This
includes expanding the subjects offered during our in-service training cycle.
Continue to upgrade our fleet by replacing our aged and high mileage vehicles, both in patrol and
CID.
Budget for an additional patrol deputy position to be assigned to nights. This will even-out the
number of deputies on each shift.
Budget for housing of prisoners in other county jails due to over capacity issues.
Pass annual jail inspection.
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Patrol and Investigations
Patrol and Criminal Investigation Sections of the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office are led
by Lieutenant Butch Matjeka. Uniformed patrol deputies are assigned to one of four
shifts. Each shift is under the immediate supervision of a patrol sergeant. Duties
include responding to calls for service, making arrests, completing reports of criminal
and other incidents, and providing preventive patrol.
Criminal Investigation section is under the immediate supervision of Sergeant Chad
Sells. Five investigators handle the follow up and case preparation for criminal
offenses reported in Kendall County and one investigator is assigned to a joint
narcotics task force. Investigators are also called upon to process crime scenes for any
forensic evidence.
Kendall County remains a safe community in comparison to many others. Property
crimes far outnumber violent crimes or crimes against persons, such as robbery,
aggravated assault or homicide.
The numbers provided on the following pages give an indication of the number and
types of calls we handle.
Investigator Ed Whitehurst fingerprinting recovered stolen property
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Uniform Crime Report
2012
2013
2014
% Difference
2013-2014
Murder
1
0
0
0%
Rape
16
3
9
200%
Robbery
0
0
0
0%
Aggravated Assault
7
4
11
175%
Burglary
76
68
54
-20%
Larceny
157
136
112
-18%
Auto Theft
12
9
10
11%
Total Crime Index
269
220
196
-11%
Crime Index
Murder
Rape
Robbery
Agg Assault
Burglary
Larceny
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Calls for Service
CRIMES:
Criminal Homicide
Assaults
Aggravated
Sexual
Family Violence
Other
Robbery
Burglary
Larceny
M.V. Theft
Vandalism
Weapons
Narcotic Laws
Tobacco Laws
Liquor Laws
DWI
PI
Disorderly Conduct
Other
TOTAL:
2012
1
11
11
2013
0
4
ARREST
ACTIVITY
2014
0
6
9
62
63
82
69
0
0
0
71
74
54
126
155
112
12
9
10
79
96
44
2
4
7
22
37
66
3
1
0
4
19
35
33
41
28
19
25
23
54
95
114
162
289
435
TOTAL:
216
384
549
ACCIDENTS:
Fatal
Injury
Non Injury
2012
TOTAL:
13
2
278
210
Citations-
567
843
680
Speeding
Insurance
Seat Belt
DL
Violations
LP/MVI
Viol.
Stop
Sign/Light
Parking
2014
Alarms
627
656
790
Ambulance Calls
578
272
190
Disturbances
Suspicious
Person/Vehicle
296
366
375
504
511
572
2005
1805
1927
2013
2014
2
0
0
44
39
47
257
270
254
303
309
301
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT:
7
MISC. ACTIVITY
TOTAL:
2014
Felony
Misdemeanor
103
2013
2013
11
66
2012
2012
Other
TOTAL:
Warnings
Cr. Trespass
2012
2013
2014
276
718
926
15
27
41
3
6
11
39
99
149
32
106
232
8
45
71
3
6
1
79
272
275
455
1279
1706
219
2957
3789
76
69
39
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Kendall County Detention Facility
L to R: Sergeant Chris Ortiz, Detention Officers Michael Invergo, Tammy Aldrich, Stephen Fey, Ed Moore and Corporal
Emilio Pereda.
Individuals arrested are initially held in the county jail. Normally, the arrested individual is
informed of the charges against him or her and advised of their rights by a Justice of the Peace
no later than the morning following their arrest. Bond is set and if the individual can post a bond,
they are released. If not, they remain in jail until their trial or disposition of their charges.
State law allows for persons convicted of Class A or B misdemeanors to be sentenced to jail time.
That time would be served in the county jail. The maximum amount of punishment for these
offenses is one year. Persons convicted of a felony offense would be transferred to the Texas
Department of Corrections and serve their time in a state penitentiary.
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The jail facility is subject to an annual inspection by the Texas State Commission on Jail Standards.
The jail passed its 2014 inspection that was conducted in late December. Noted problems with
leaks in the roof from the 2013 inspection were repaired and were no longer an issue during the
2014 inspection.
The Kendall County Detention Facility is under the leadership of a Lieutenant, Sergeants Chris
Ortiz and Jason Barter, and eighteen detention officers.
Detention Center Yearly Activity Report
STATISTICS
MALE
FEMALE
TOTAL
Bookings
1022
360
1382
Releases
999
360
1359
Visitations
1965
Court
223
43
266
Doctor Visits
78
33
111
Hospital/ER
10
6
16
Magistration
1382
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Bandera Inmate Housing Costs
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Community Service Unit
Deputy Kevin Klaerner, Sergeant Neil Quick, Deputy James Lyssy
Sergeant Neil Quick supervises the Community Services Unit, which consists of two School
Resource Officers assigned to the Comfort Independent School District. Deputy Kevin Klaerner is
assigned to the Comfort High School and works closely with the school administration to increase
the safety and security of the students and faculty. Deputy Klaerner also provides safety escorts
for the Bobcat varsity football and Deer varsity volleyball teams for various away games that take
place outside of Kendall County. Deputy Klaerner is active with the Comfort High School football
and track program and volunteers his time to these programs. Deputy James Lyssy is assigned
to Comfort Elementary and Comfort Middle School. Deputy Lyssy instructs students in the Drug
Abuse Resistance and Education (D.A.R.E.) course at the elementary school. In addition, Deputy
Lyssy is responsible for the Kendall County Law Enforcement Explorer Post #1101.
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This explorer post consists of nine high school students from Boerne and Champion High School.
The Explorer Post competes in Law Enforcement competitions at a regional and state level in 20
areas of law enforcement patrol and investigation techniques. They also provided 150 hours of
community service work to Kendall County.
During the summer months Deputy Klaerner and Deputy Lyssy provide foot patrol in the
downtown Comfort area and work closely with the business community. Their presence is well
received by the community and we plan to expand those patrols in 2015.
In addition to supervising the School Resource Officers, Sergeant Quick is responsible for the
Kendall County Crime Stoppers program and organizing the annual National Night Out event.
Sergeant Quick is certified through the Texas Crime Prevention Association to conduct
commercial and residential security surveys. He also assists with the Citizens Police Academy and
serves as the Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer (PIO).
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Kendall County Animal Shelter
L to R: Kennel Techs Brandi Kneupper and, Falicia Frausto, Admin. Specialist Brandy Ripley, Sgt. LeAnn Pyles, Animal Control
Officers Dino Arellano and Rebecca Moore in front of the newly donated adoption trailer.
Animal control functions in Kendall County are handled by Sergeant Le Ann Pyles, Animal Control
Officers Dino Arellano, Rebecca Moore and Jody Dicks. The Kendall County Animal Shelter is
staffed by Brandy Ripley, Brandy Knuepper, Heather Behr, and Falicia Frausto.
Because of Kendall County’s vast rural farm and ranch lands, animal control issues go beyond the
usual stray dog or cat. Calls for stray livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep and goats are common
and occasionally exotic animals and reptiles are picked-up as well. Wildlife calls are common, the
vast majority concerning deer and carcass removal.
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The statistics presented below give an indication of the number of animals picked up and held at
the Kendall County Animal Shelter. What numbers cannot reflect is the care and concern for the
welfare of those animals displayed by our dedicated staff.
2012
2013
2014
Livestock Calls
310
300
258
Livestock Picked Up
41
11
20
Wildlife Calls
696
1,127
934
Wildlife Picked Up
532
865
720
Dog Calls
665
684
710
Dogs Picked Up
337
341
419
Dogs Accepted from Public
164
183
180
Total Impounded
501
524
599
Dogs Adopted
154
179
230
Dogs DOA
17
20
28
Dogs Euthanized
138
123
110
Dogs Return Owner
143
147
173
Dogs Transferred
35
58
62
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2012
2013
2014
Cat Calls
444
454
340
Cats Picked Up
552
592
518
Cats Accepted from Owner
248
233
347
Total Impounded
800
825
865
Cats Adopted
88
106
141
Cats DOA
25
26
35
Feral Cats Euthanized
205
295
165
Cats Euthanized (Owner Request) 206
161
275
Cats Euthanized (Total)
600
639
598
Cats Returned to Owner
27
22
21
Cats Transferred
41
44
57
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Kendall County Sheriff’s Office Organization Chart
Sheriff
Chief Deputy
Administrative
Assistant
CID/Patrol
Commander
Patrol Analyst
Jail
Administrator
Community
Sergeant
SRO Deputy
Administrative
Assistant
SRO Deputy
CID Sergeant
Patrol A
Sergeant
Patrol B
Sergeant
Patrol A
Sergeant
Patrol B
Sergeant
KCAC
Sergeant
Admin
Sergeant
CID Analyst
Corporal
Corporal
Corporal
Corporal
Reception
Administrative
Assistant
Investigator
Deputy
Deputy
Deputy
Deputy
Animal
Control
Investigator
Deputy
Deputy
Deputy
Deputy
Animal
Control
Investigator
Deputy
Deputy
Deputy
Deputy
Animal
Control
Investigator
Deputy
Deputy
Deputy
Deputy
Kennel Tech
Investigator
Deputy
Deputy
Kennel Tech
Warrants
Sergeant
Deputy
Deputy
Deputy
Deputy
Jail Day
Sergeant
Administrative
Corporal
Jail Night
Sergeant
Corporal
Corporal
Corporal
Corporal
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Deputy
Deputy
Kennel Tech
Kennel Tech
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