The East Montgomery County Improvement District turned its attention to the “men and women in blue” at the 2015 Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner held Monday, February 23. Officers from area police departments, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Constable’s Office were recognized for their outstanding achievements. Maurice “Termite” Watkins, a former boxer-turned-motivational speaker, inspired the crowd of nearly 200 at the EMCID Complex.
Officers of the Year
Trooper Josh Benson - Texas Department of Public Safety
The motto of the Texas Department of Public Safety is courtesy, service and protection, and no one epitomizes this more than Trooper Benson. Growing up in the East Montgomery County area, he saw first-hand the destruction of the community that intoxicated drivers and the criminal element can leave behind. After seeing the carnage, he made it his mission to not rest until all of the criminals have been apprehended.
Last year, Trooper Benson made 204 criminal arrests, ranging from wanted felons to hit-and-run suspects to highway drug couriers, and took 54 intoxicated drivers off our roadways, making the streets safer for our families and neighbors. With the dramatic increase of drivers intoxicated on medication and illegal narcotics, he volunteered to become a drug recognition expert. This intense training consisted of two weeks in the classroom and a month of filed certifications. Trooper Benson plans on utilizing this certification to help other officers with their apprehension of these deadly drivers. He managed to accomplish all of this in addition to spending three weeks deployed to our southern border helping keep Texas secure. Trooper Benson’s work ethic, selflessness and strong desire to give back to his profession and community should be commended.
Investigator Josh Bergland - Montgomery County Constable, Precinct 4
Investigator Bergland has been a great asset tot he citizens of East Montgomery County. He began his law enforcement career in the City of Splendora a decade ago and has made a tremendous contribution to the improvement of his community in the years since. In 2006, Investigator Bergland joined the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office where he has steadily honed his skills, never losing his passion for crime fighting. He excels particularly in the area of narcotics investigation and interdiction, working with local, state and federal agencies to fight the influx of illegal drugs that spawns other crimes and destroys lives and families. He has been responsible for multiple high profile cases, several of which have resulted in life sentences for criminals, permanently shutting down the enterprises of countless drug traffickers, manufacturers and dealers. In 2014, a local East Montgomery County business became a victim of a theft crime. Investigator Bergland was instrumental in the arrest of the subject and recovered $50,000 that was returned to the business owner.
While Investigator Bergland’s cases have been very high profile, he has not. He has quietly done his job, never seeking or expecting the accolades or attention his efforts deserve. For these and so many more reasons, Investigator Bergland deserves to be named Officer of the Year for the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office.
Officer William A. Farquhar - Lone Star College Police Department
Officer William A. Farquhar has been a member of the Lone Star College System Police Department since April 8, 2013. He has served at the Kingwood campus, the Atascocita Center and EMCID Center. Officer Farquhar has a Master Peace Officer License granted by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He has accrued over 2,900 hours of training in diverse topics, ranging from identity theft to legal standards for law enforcement officers.
While employed as an officer with Lone Star College Police Department he has responded to and resolved numerous incidents, including vehicle accidents, theft, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and medical assists. On November 2, 2014, he was dispatched regarding a theft of property and criminal mischief. After contacting the reporting parties, he began an investigation which continued for over a month. Officer Farquhar developed information and linked similar incidents resulting int he issuance of two Class A warrants and the arrest of the perpetrators. His follow up investigation has developed leads into a recent burglary on campus and has identified the subjects arrested in the criminal mischief case as suspects. In addition to basic police and protective services, he routinely provides assistance to members of the campus community in the form of courtesy transports, vehicle assists and classroom access.
Due to Officer Farquhar’s efforts, the college campus remains one of the safest and crime-free areas in East Montgomery County. Officer Farquhar’s singularly distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself and the Lone Star College System Police Department.
Detective Craig Favorat - Montgomery County Sheriff's Department
Detective Craig Favorat responded to a scene where patrol deputies had detained two suspected burglars. With the information provided by deputies, Detective Favorat initiated an investigation that led to the arrests of the detained subjects. The investigation revealed that the subjects had burglarized the same location on three consecutive days. His investigation led to the recovery of approximately $3,000 in property and the arrests of the two suspects. For this and many other reasons, Detective Craig Favorat is the Officer of the Year for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Officer Alex Maldonado - Splendora Police Department
After earning Officer of the Year for the Splendora Police Department for 2013, Officer Maldonado set his sights on 2014. Throughout the year, his tenacious work ethic has resulted in a department record discovery of 165 grams of methamphetamine that was taken out of the hands of local drug users and dealers. During his down time he identified and arrested burglars, thieves, family violence perpetrators and recovered stolen vehicles. He even spiked a constable’s cruiser for good measure. Most importantly, Officer Maldonado has helped numerous citizens and victims and continues to set the standard for this police department. This is why Officer Alex Maldonado is the Splendora Police Department Officer of the Year.
Lieutenant John F. Mays - Splendora ISD Police Department
Lieutenant Mays is and will always be an asset to the Splendora ISD Police Department. Since joining the department in 2007, his wisdom and experience dealing with individuals, especially juveniles, has done nothing but help our students to succeed. His work ethic is outstanding, and he is a very important part of the Splendora ISD Police Department. “I take great pleasure and pride in nominating Lt. Mays as our Officer of the Year,” said Chief Dennis R. Doerge.
Corporal Andrew Morgan - Roman Forest Police Department
Corporal Andrew Morgan began his law enforcement career with the Roman Forest Police Department in 2011. In such a short time, he has begun to leave his mark in our community. Due to his exemplary dedication and hard work, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2014. Corporal Morgan brings a great deal of experience, creativity and professionalism to the department. As the Training Coordinator, he has made incredible strides by directing the operation of the East Montgomery County Law Enforcement Training Provider. His skills do not end with administrative duties; he also projects a cheerful can-do attitude throughout the community. It has been a privilege to know this brilliant and dedicated officer. Corporal Morgan is always finding new ways to improve and reinvent programs through the department. It is truly due to these initiatives of Corporal Morgan that the Roman Forest Police Department runs to the best of its capacity. He is always eager to learn and always provides a helping hand to other officers. Andrew Morgan’s dedication has made our community a better place, and he deserves to be recognized as this year’s Officer of the Year.
Deputy Broderick O'Connor - Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Broderick O’Connor came to work for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in August 2011 after working for Harris County Constable Precinct 4. After a brief period of working in South Montgomery County, he transferred to East County in order to carry a heavier work load and to experience the more varied police work that EMC offers. He has proven to be an outstanding deputy who continues to exceed the expectations of his supervisors and the citizens he serves. He truly cares about serving the citizens and it shows in his job performance. He takes the time to help those in need and gives the personal attention that is sometimes lacking in today’s law enforcement officers. In 2014, Deputy O’Connor led the district in calls for service, wrote 346 investigative reports and made 46 arrests. It is not merely the numbers, but the quality of work that sets him apart and makes him Montgomery County Sheriff’s Patrol Division Officer of the Year.
Officer Eric Pitts - Woodbranch Police Department
Officer Pitts is being recognized by the Woodbranch Police Department because of the service, commitment and professionalism he has demonstrated while working with our department for the last five years. Officer Pitts started his career with the City of Woodbranch as a Reserve Officer in 2009. During his years of dedicated service, he has become quite familiar with a great many of the citizens in our community. Oftentimes, while performing his daily patrol duties, he has taken it upon himself to stop and check on residents who he knew had been ill or struggling. His interest and dedication in the community is one of the many reasons he was chosen to be hired full time by the department in July 2014. Officer Pitts will be instrumental in further establishing positive communication and relationships with the citizens, surrounding agencies, municipal and county departments and in the future success of the Woodbranch Police Department. “It has been our privilege to assist Officer Pitts in his pursuit of a bright and successful future in law enforcement,” said Chief Andre Singleton.
Sergeant Carolyn Prickett and Detective Wendy Villarreal - Patton Village Police Department
Sergeant Prickett (right) and Detective Villarreal (left) work together with Victims of Violent Crimes and Victims of Sexual Abuse. Sergeant Prickett is always on call and she has gone to the hospital in the middle of the night to sit with victims, adults and children to support them and begin the investigation process. She helps to relocate victims and sets up counseling for them. With the help of her assistant Detective Villarreal, they have been able to bridge the gap of communication with the Hispanic community. “I am very proud of the actions of these two officers,” said Chief Leon “Pete” Verot.
Special Recognition
Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Layman
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Layman was recognized at the dinner and given a round of applause. He suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized in November 2014 when he and another deputy were struck by a vehicle while walking back to their patrol car after helping a stranded motorist on Interstate 45. The picture is from 2013 when Deputy Layman was recognized as an Officer of the Year at the law enforcement appreciation dinner.
Guest Speaker - Maurice "Termite" Watkins
This year’s keynote speaker was former boxer and Golden Gloves Champion Maurice “Termite” Watkins. Nicknamed Termite because of his family’s pest control business in Houston, Watkins volunteered to work as an exterminator in Iraq during the Iraqi war. He was later recruited to train and assemble an Iraqi boxing team that advanced to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
