Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas Administrator/Coordinator Jeremy Raley reported a host of awards were presented during the organization’s “Back the Blue Brunch” on Aug. 29 at the MCM Elegante Hotel and Convention Center in Beaumont.
Awards were presented to 10 individuals and divisions for their contribution and service to their communities, along with two school districts recognized for efforts in making their campus safe, and the 2024 Crime Stopper of the Year.
Raley noted the 10 awards for individuals and/or divisions were nominated by their law enforcement agency.
“The award winners are being recognized for their continuous and dedicated work and for going above and beyond the call of duty,” he said.
The first award recipient was Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper Michael Priest, nominated by DPS. Priest was honored for his dedication to duty and expertise in crash investigation, both within and beyond Orange County.
“His ability to handle complex tasks such as CDR downloads, drone operations and providing expert opinions on crash investigations, all while maintaining his daily responsibilities, showcases his leadership and commitment. His contributions are not only crucial to the safety and efficiency of the Beaumont region but also set a standard of excellence in law enforcement,” Raley stated.
The second recipient was Capt. Jason McClelland, nominated by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. According to Raley, McClelland was recognized for setting a standard of excellence and supporting a professional working environment. Raley noted that McClelland has investigated many complex cases while with the JCSO, one of the most recent being the disappearance and homicide investigation of Cristi Ruso.
“During the Ruso investigation, McClelland was diligent in his efforts to determine the details leading to an arrest and ultimately finding justice for Ruso’s family,” Raley added.
The third recipient, nominated by the Orange Police Department, was Officer Jessica Johnnie. Raley stated Johnnie, a senior officer, is a “very pro-active officer” that goes above and beyond on all of her calls for service
“Johnnie has a very special connection with child sexual assault victims. This is a special talent and very difficult for most officers in this career,” said Raley.
The fourth recipient was Capt. Marlon Lewis, nominated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Raley recalled Lewis’ action responding to a fire on Meeker.
“Lewis was made aware of the possibility of someone still inside the structure. Without considering the danger to himself, he attempted to enter into the residence,” he stated. “He was overcome by smoke. He backed out and continued yelling out to anyone inside. He heard a feeble voice. He kept calling to her to come to him. As the smoke was billowing out the doorway, he could make out the silhouette of an elderly female. He was able to reach inside and pull her to safety.”
According to Raley, one female was transported to a local hospital and then to Houston for treatment of her injuries. Her husband was rescued by firefighters, but died a few days later in Houston.
“Without the quick actions of Lewis, the elderly female may also have died due to the fire. His quick actions undoubtedly saved her life,” Raley added.
The fifth recipient, nominated by Beaumont Police Department, was Officer Cesar Beattie. Raley stated Beattie is a 12-year officer with the BPD, assigned to the patrol division, and has excelled at his duties.
“Being bilingual, he is relied upon heavily as a liaison between the department and the Hispanic community where he has built trust and is respected,” Raley detailed of Beattie, whose been with BPD since 2012, and active in several professional groups: BPD Hispanic Outreach Program member, BPD Honor Guard, Peer Support, and the Cops & Kids Fitness Program (lead coach/mentor 2018-present).
Additionally, Beattie has performed stints in firearms instructing, as field training officer (2018-2024), a Master Peace Officer (2021) and SWAT (2021-present) officer.
He graduated from high school in Mexico in 2005 and served as a United States Marine (2006-2012). At Lamar University, Beattie earned his bachelor’s in criminal justice. He married his wife, Kim, in 2010 and they have three daughters.
The sixth recipient was Det. Jeff Courts, nominated by Vidor Police Department. Raley noted Courts shares his talent of playing the bagpipes to recognize the tradition at “line of duty deaths” across Texas and United States.
“Courts has traveled to Washington, D.C., to play at the National Peace Officer Memorial and to Mississippi to play at an officers funeral when they could not locate a bagpipe player in the state,” added Raley.
The seventh recipient, of the JSCO Marine Division, was nominated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. On Jan. 26, at 1:11 a.m., the Marine Unit was dispatched in reference to a stranded boat somewhere along the jetties in Sabine Pass. Deputies Ricky Anderson and Ronny Anders proceeded to the area, where they were met with dense fog and zero visibility. With cell phones and radios, a new location of the stranded boat was discovered. A coordinated effort with the Sabine Pilots crew boats led deputies offshore six miles operating their vessel by GPS and radar through the fog. Sabine Pilots boat radioed Marine Unit deputies and continued to give them a possible location with updated latitude and longitude coordinates. At 2:55 a.m., deputies located three teenage males adrift in a small boat in the Gulf of Mexico. They were rescued and transferred to the JCSO boat, which towed the teens’ boat to the Sabine Pass boat ramp at 4:39 a.m.
“Although the dense fog and zero visibility presented a hazardous situation, the deputies training kicked in,” said Raley.
The eighth recipient, nominated by the Silsbee Police Department, was a two-for-one in Officer Victor Brian and Officer Johnny Crawford. On Feb. 18, at 2:25 a.m., the officers responded in reference to a suicidal subject that was locked inside a room threatening to commit suicide. The officers initially encountered the uncooperative suicidal male subject in possession of a loaded .308 caliber hunting rifle, the subject with the muzzle under his chin and finger on the trigger, expressing desires to end his life.
“During the course of this volatile and tense situation, the officers were able to stealthily defeat the locking mechanism of the door and establish verbal contact. The officers displayed great bravery and empathy toward the subject, eventually establishing a positive rapport and winning the subject’s trust, ultimately convincing him to surrender the weapon and voluntarily accompany them to a mental health treatment facility where they completed an E.D.O. to get the subject the help that was needed,” Raley stated.
The ninth recipient was the Crimes Against Persons Unit (CAPU), nominated by the Beaumont Police Department.
“This vital team operates at the very heart of our law enforcement efforts, taking on the most serious and challenging offenses directed at individuals,” stated Raley. “They are tasked with investigating cases that test their resolve, skill, and unwavering commitment to justice. Over the past year, CAPU has been relentless in their pursuit of justice.”
The unit has investigated 19 homicides and 16 persons were indicted for murder; three other cases were ruled as justifiable homicides by a grand jury.
“This unit’s remarkable success stems from their diligence, creativity and persistence. However, their true strength lies in their selfless commitment to one another and to their mission. The investigators are always prepared to respond at a moment’s notice, no matter the hour, weather conditions or personal obligations,” said Raley. “They not only fulfill their duty when called, but go above and beyond, volunteering to assist one another whenever needed, displaying a spirit of teamwork that transforms daunting investigations into strategic, well-coordinated efforts.”
Raley noted that the CAPU’s dedication extends beyond their unit, as they have partnerships with other divisions within the BPD, such as the Special Assignment Unit, Special Services Detail and Patrol Division, as well as with external agencies like the U.S. Marshals and FBI. CAPU has played a key role in apprehending numerous violent offenders and their approach to investigations blends traditional detective work with modern advancements, Raley asserted.
This past year, the unit has successfully closed several high-profile cases, including a shooting at Alice Keith Park, the discovery of a decomposed body in an abandoned lot, and the murder of a store clerk during an armed robbery.
They have also solved two cold cases from the 1990s – cracking the 1995 murder of Mary Catherine Edwards, leading to a conviction, and resolving the 1999 disappearance of Kimberly Langwell, resulting in the arrest and indictment of a suspect.
The tenth and final recipient was Officer Chuck Cobb, nominated by the West Orange Police Department. On July 24, at 8:04 p.m., Cobb was monitoring traffic in the 500 block of State Highway 87 in West Orange and observed a young child running toward him in the roadway. The child stated his mother had a seizure and needed help. Cobb transported the child to the area of SH 87 and the service road, south of the overpass. He observed a gray passenger car partially submerged in the water. Cobb immediately jumped into the water and attempted to gain access to the vehicle. With the assistance of passers-by, Cobb rescued the driver, who was unconscious, pulseless and not breathing. Cobb performed life-saving measures using CPR on the occupant. The driver regained a pulse and began breathing on her own before EMS arrived. The driver was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont by EMS crews.
A highlight of the evening, the 2024 Crime Stopper of the Year was named in Kelly Siegler.
“If you have watched the Oxygen Channel’s Cold Justice, you are familiar with this amazing person,” said Raley. “Kelly Siegler fought for justice for Harris County residents and crime victims for over 21 years until she resigned from the district attorney’s office in May 2008.
Siegler was raised in Blessing, a small town in Matagorda County. After she graduated as the valedictorian from Tidehaven High School in El Maton, she attended the University of Texas in Austin and received her degree in International Business in 1984. She received her law degree from South Texas College of Law in 1987 and has been licensed as an attorney since 1987.
“Since that time, in the more than two decades she worked as a prosecutor, Kelly rose through the ranks to become the bureau chief of the Special Crimes Bureau, which includes the Major Offenders Division, Major Fraud Division, Identity Theft Division, Asset Forfeiture Division and Consumer Fraud Division,” said Raley. “Kelly has prosecuted some of the toughest cases with some of the toughest criminals Harris County has seen. And she has done so against the most formidable and respected criminal defense attorneys in the state. She has tried approximately 200 jury trials and is not only respected for her ability in the courtroom but also sought out as a speaker and expert in effective courtroom advocacy.”
Additionally, Siegler has additionally tried 20 capital murder death penalty cases and secured the death penalty in 19.
“A fierce advocate on behalf of crime victims and their families, she also has the respect of members of law enforcement agencies, not just in Harris County but also nationwide,” stated Raley, noting that Siegler assisted with three area cases including the Kay McCoy case in Jasper, Kathy Page case in Vidor and the recently solved cold case of Kimberly Langwell.
Raley concluded with two 2024 Campus Crime Stoppers School Districts of the Year – Hamshire-Fannett ISD and Lumberton ISD.
“This year we had two districts that were deserving of recognition for their success in utilizing Crime Stoppers to help keep their schools and students safe,” he said. “These districts have not only partnered with Crime Stoppers they took their campus programs to a whole new level.”
Robert Blackwell, a board member that will be leaving the board after 32 years of service, received the Crime Stopper of SETX Lifetime Achievement Award from Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas; the award will be named in Blackwell’s honor starting next year, according to Raley.
Raley also recognized four police officers with a combined 155 years of law enforcement experience: retiring Beaumont Police Chief James Singletary (54 years), Groves Police Marshal Norman Reynolds (44 years), Jasper Police Chief Gerald Hall (32 years) and Jasper County Sheriff Mitchel Newman (25 years).