A few thoughts on cold cases and long-term investigations. I believe citizens have a right and a need to know about crimes and investigations that take place in their community.
I would define a “cold case” as an investigation that has exhausted all leads and possible investigation and requires new information or evidence to proceed. I realize that it is frustrating for citizens to hear the same comments from law enforcement leaders about a case being an active investigation and details can’t be released, but the goal is always to solve the case and unless law enforcement is seeking the public’s help with locating a particular person or vehicle, the release of details only serves to give the suspect or suspects an advantage in concealing their crime.
I will never be satisfied with the results of a “cold case” or a long-term investigation until it brings results that lead to prosecution or other resolution. This office will never give up on a case.
On Feb. 8, I had the pleasure of attending the quarterly meeting of the Gentry Residential Treatment Center community liaison at Cabool. Gentry is a state facility located in Cabool for juveniles committed to the Division of Youth Services for criminal offenses. The goal of the juvenile justice system is to rehabilitate youths and prevent them from re-offending as adults. The community liaison council assists the staff with funding for events and provides support for education of the youth as well.
The grant funded project to replace the jail control system is nearly completed. It was a challenge for staff while the upgrades were being completed, however the new system should help them in keeping our facility secure. The other grant funded projects to replace the jail water heater and laundry equipment are ongoing.
A unique issue that came up in February is Missouri Revised Statute 578.023 keeping a dangerous wild animal. A dangerous wild animal is defined as any lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena, wolf, bear, nonhuman primate, coyote, any deadly, dangerous, or poisonous reptile, or any deadly or dangerous reptile over eight feet long. If any person keeps a dangerous wild animal as listed, they are required to register the animal with their local law enforcement agency.
As February came to a close, filing for several elected offices opened. I officially filed for re-election as sheriff. A look at reports for the month include four burglaries and three stealing cases. Six out of the seven cases have been resolved with arrests or recovery of the property, and one case remains active. Assaults and domestic violence remain the most prevalent report type. Tragedy struck Texas County on the evening of Feb. 26, with a house fire claiming the life of James Goodchild. His two children and an elderly relative were able to escape the residence. It was uplifting to see community support for the family.
Talking about dangerous animals we had a mountain lion, cougar, panther whichever you call them, go though out neighborhood a few weeks ago. If you have ever heard one scream you won’t forget it for sure. It sounded like it was just down my dirt road but I know their sound travels far. Hopefully it was just moving through and not planning on setting up housekeeping in the area.