Shelby County Today

March 29, 2021 - Shelby County Commissioners approved the distribution of Child Safety Fee funds during their meeting held Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

Denise Merriman, Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center (SCCAC) Executive Director, expressed gratitude on behalf of the organization for the continued support by Shelby County.

Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, asked for confirmation from Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, on the percentage of the fee usually split between the SCCAC and the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

"We've historically done 65% to the Advocacy Center, 35% to CASA," said Porterfield. "Just again to refresh everyone's memory, we do wihthold some money from that amount which is automatically disbursed to all of the municipalities."

According to Porterfield, the county also retains a 10% administrative fee. He stated the fund balance before dispursal was $15,927, less an administrative fee and less the amount to municipalities leaving $10,471 to disburse. As a result of the disbursement $6,806 will go to SCCAC and $3,665 to CASA. 

A motion carried to approve the disbursement of the funds at 65% ($6,806) to SCCAC and 35% ($3,665) to CASA. 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:36am.

Following the adjournment of the meeting, a quorum of commissioners joined in a discussion in the courtroom with the County Treasurer and County Auditor. 

(Chapter 551. Open Meetings, Subchapter A. General Provisions)

Agenda items approve during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses, with the exception of invoice 194308 to confirm the work.
2. Disburse Child Safety Fee funds at a 65%, 35% split to SCCAC and CASA.
3. Adjourn at 9:36am.

March 27, 2021 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Tornado Warning for Southwestern Panola County in northeastern Texas, Southeastern Rusk County in northeastern Texas, Northwestern Shelby County in eastern Texas until 7:45pm CDT.

At 6:54 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was located 7 miles south of Minden, or 17 miles south of Henderson, moving northeast at 45 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

Hazard: Damaging tornado.

Source: Weather spotters confirmed tornado.

Impact: You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible.

Locations impacted include Carthage, Pinehill, Minden, Mount Enterprise, Gary City, Dotson, Lawsonville, Laneville and Fairplay.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

March 26, 2021 - Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the arrest of Matthew Thomas Bennett, 37, of Beckville.

On March 25, 2021 SCSO at approximately 2:17 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a residence on Chalk Street in Joaquin in reference to a burglary of a habitation. Once on scene, deputies made contact with Bennett, and were able to identify him as the suspect in the reported burglary. Deputies began to question Bennett in regards to the incident and he became combative towards the officers.

The SCSO Communications Center confirmed Bennett to have an active warrant for his arrest. Deputies attempted to restrain Bennett and he was non-compliant with their requests. Bennett was tased by SCSO deputies, restrained with handcuffs behind his back and placed in the backseat of a patrol unit.

As SCSO deputies were clearing the scene, Bennett, unbeknown to deputies, worked his restraints to the front of his body, forced his way out of the patrol unit, entered the driver’s side of the unit and fled the scene.

OnStar located the unit on an oilfield location site off of FM 699 and all area law enforcement began searching for the suspect in that area. Bennett inflicted severe damage to the unit that caused interruptions with OnStar being able to continue tracking the unit. After a lengthy search by law enforcement officials, OnStar was able to shut the unit down by enabling the remote ignition block feature installed on the unit.

Chief Deputy Ruth Gonzales and Lieutenant Tanner Peace were patrolling the area where the vehicle was last known to be and spotted the unit at an abandoned residence on FM 699 at CR 4550.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) set up a perimeter around the property and a DPS officer began negotiations with Bennett through the communications radio installed in the unit. After unsuccessful attempts at negotiation, the Center Police Department Special Response Team was able to extract the suspect from the vehicle with assistance from a DPS helicopter.

Bennett was taken into custody at 10:49 p.m., unharmed. He was cleared on scene by Allegiance Mobile Health. He is currently housed in the Shelby County jail and has been charged with UUMV (SJF) $20K bond; Evading Arrest/Detention W/Vehicle (SJF) NO BOND; Escape From Custody (M-A) $10K bond; Resisting Arrest (M-A) $10K bond. He was arraigned by JP1 Donna Hughes.  

This situation is not something that we face regularly in our county. This outcome would have not ended the way it did without the experience and professionalism that so many provided.

To our SCSO 911 Telecommunicators Chelsea Jernigan, Casey Jackson, Evelyn Ordaz and Tiffany Ryals, along with SCSO Administrators Cindy Bradshaw and Leah Chase: you all were the unseen heroes in this situation. Each of you worked tirelessly ensuring communication was provided to everyone on scene. Your professionalism and dedication to our office and this county does not go unnoticed. Each of you worked together and as a whole depicted the true definition of a family. Thank you will never be enough.

SCSO Deputies, Thank You. Thank you for serving our county. Thank you for your dedication to our office. Each of you makes sacrifices on a daily basis just by putting on a uniform. We are proud of you, your work, and your dedication to a career that is becoming more difficult each passing day. Thank you for having a servant’s heart.

Center Police Department Special Response Team, you shut the situation down. Your training came in at a time when has never been more needed. Each of you showed up, and without hesitation went in and defused what could have been a tragic situation. Thank you for having our back, and for helping to protect our county in a critical time of need.

Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office – we called and you were here, with a team of officers and equipment ready to take the front line. You stepped in without hesitation. Thank you from all of us.

Shelby County Constables Zack Warr, Taylor Fanguy, Josh Tipton, Jamie Hagler and Roy Cheatwood, we are grateful for your assistance. Each of you always show up every single time you are needed.

To all of the agencies who assisted us on scene, around the area, at the county lines and were on standby: Game Wardens Austin Cryer and Sam Anderson; Panola County Sheriff Kevin Lake and deputies; Panola County Constable Bryan Murff; Panola County 911 Telecommunicators; Tenaha ISD Chief of Police David Jeeter, Nacogdoches County SWAT, Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, DPS officers from surrounding counties, San Augustine County Sheriff Robert Cartwright, Hughes Wrecker; and you, the public – thank you. Thank you for coming to our aide. Thank you for filling the gap. Thank you for endless dedication to our office. We see you, each of you. Just as you provided assistance to us in this time of need, we will show up every time you need us.

Please continue to keep all of our law enforcement officers in your thoughts and prayers. From all of us at the SCSO, thank you for allowing us to serve you. Thank you for accepting us in the community and for supporting us. We are ever grateful. (Pictures of the patrol unit are available on our Facebook Page: )

Sheriff Kevin W. Windham

March 26, 2021 - An individual arrested by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department became the subject of a manhunt when he allegedly stole a patrol vehicle Thursday, March 25, 2021.

Matthew Bennett, 37, of Beckville was under arrest in the Joaquin area around 4pm in the afternoon on a warrant and placed into a patrol vehicle. According to Sheriff Kevin Windham, Bennett somehow was able to free himself and while still handcuffed got into the driver's seat of the Sheriff's Department Chevrolet Tahoe and fled.

As the patrol unit was last seen in vicinity of U.S. Highway 84 and FM 699 officers from a multitude of agencies converged on the area. As Sheriff's Department units were searching the area, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) joined them in scouring the nearby roadways.

Constables from Precinct 4, 5 and 3 all joined in assisting the Sheriff's Department. Units with the Panola County Sheriff's Department and a constable from there were stationed at the intersection of FM 699 and U.S. Highway 84.

All units, including Panola County Sheriff Kevin Lake, moved to a location on CR 4550 at 5:15pm near an oil pad site where they searched a wooded area for the vehicle and suspect. It was later determined Bennett had fired a weapon at that location prior to the arrival of deputies.

Once another sighting had been reported, the units cleared the oil pad site. As the search continued, the assistance of a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter was requested and the location of the vehicle confirmed on a property off FM 699. While officers with the Sheriff's Department and DPS attempted to make contact with Bennett, who was still in the Tahoe, the helicopter flew overhead and announced over a loud speaker, "This is the state police, come out with your hands up, surrender you're surrounded."

For many arduous hours officers tried communicating with Bennett, who had three weapons in his possession, and tried reasoning with him.

Deputies with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department were requested to the scene to potentially assist using their drone unit.

Meanwhile Center Police Department officers were prepared to move in, if necessary and assist in reclaiming the stolen Tahoe. At around 10:50pm, the Center PD unit moved in, assisted by Constable Roy Cheatwood, Deputy Heather Burnaman, Game Wardens Sam Anderson and Austin Cryer; and were able to take Bennett into custody without incident. He was later examined by EMS and no injury was reported.

The Tahoe appeared to have received extensive damage inside and out as a result of the incident, and it was towed from the location by Hughes Wrecker Service.

After being placed in custody, Bennett was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with escape from custody, misdemeanor a; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, felony 4; resisting arrest, misdemeanor a; and evading arrest with vehicle, felony 4.

March 25, 2021 - (Update 10:58pm) The suspect is in custody without incident.

(Update 10:10pm): Sheriff Kevin Windham states the area has been secured for the safety of the citizens in the area off FM 699.

The suspect remains in the vehicle and is surrounded while officers continue to negotiate with the suspect. 

The roadway is blocked from CR 3129 to CR 3689 on FM 699 and anyone needing to get through this area should take an alternate route.

Law enforcement currently have FM 699 blocked off due to negotiations with a suspect who earlier today, March 25 stole a Sheriff’s Department vehicle. 

After taking the vehicle, the suspect evaded law enforcement until he was located on FM 699 around 7:30pm with the assistance of a DPS helicopter. The vehicle with the suspect still inside is surrounded at this time.

Shelby County Today will update as more information becomes available.