Members/Friends in the News

THE "GODFATHER" RETIRES

 

In January, a founding member of TAVTI and drafter of originating ABTPA legislation, Lt. Tommy Hansen, had his "official" retirement from Galveston County Sheriff's Office.  Tommy, who is also a past president of both TAVTI and IAATI, has been a key figure in the realm of vehicle crime investigation innovations for the last 30 years -- not only in Texas, but also nationally and internationally.  Although Tommy is leaving his Galveston Co. SO law enforcement post, he plans to stay very active in TAVTI/SCRC/IAATI as well as legislative affairs affecting vehicle crime investigators in Texas.  Tommy will be sorely missed, and we all wish Tommy well in his future endeavors.

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TIME TAVTI/SCRC MEMBERS RETIRE

 

Submitted by Wayne Browning 

 

It is with mixed emotions that I notify everyone of the upcoming retirement of one of the auto theft legends in Texas.  William “Billy” Holbert is retiring in January 2012 after thirty years of service; however, he is starting to “burn time” in November of this year.  I say mixed emotions because his retirement is so richly deserved, and I am happy for him.  He has earned the chance to relax and enjoy life a little more.  On the other hand, I am sad to lose someone with such a wealth of knowledge in the field of auto theft.  He has probably forgotten more about auto theft than I have learned!  He taught all of us a lot, and will be sorely missed by all.  He has been working in auto theft for over twenty four years, and will not be easily replaced.

As most of you know, Billy is a long time member and supporter of TAVTI.  He generously donated to the TAVTI conference for many years, and was always a sponsor for the BBQ nights.   He even helped plan, cook and serve many times.  Everyone who knows Billy will tell you all you had to do was ask, and Billy would come running to help with anything you needed.

We held a surprise (?) retirement party for Billy on Wednesday, 11-09-11, and I included pictures from the event.  You will notice in the pictures, the Fort Worth PD Historical Society managed to come up with a picture of Billy’s Academy Class #1 that we could put on his cake!!  The tractor and trailer in the picture was presented to Billy by Ivy Haley.  The truck was signed by many of Billy’s friends, and has several special surprises hidden all over it for him to enjoy in the future.  I believe we sent him off with a bang.  If you get the chance, contact Billy and wish him well in his future endeavors.

 

 

 

T.J. Salazar of the Houston Police Department retired in December 2011.  T.J. is a long-time member of the Houston Police Department Auto Theft Task Force.  He has been instrumental over the years in conducting investigations and recoveries regarding stolen U.S. vehicles taken into Mexico and Central America.  T.J. will continue to be active in the trans-national law enforcement arena, and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

 

 

Major Jesse Flores of the Texas Department of Public Safety celebrated his retirement on August 10, 2011, after 32 years and eight months with DPS.  Jesse has been a true advocate in the fight against vehicle crimes statewide, and he will be missed.  Congratulations, Jesse, and thank you for your service!

 

 

Sgt. Roy Parrack of the Texas Department of Public Safety retired August 31, 2011, after 32 years and eight months of dedicated service.  Congratulations, Roy, and thank you for your many years of support and service!

 

 

Detective Randy Andrews of the Dallas Police Department auto theft unit, and recent past president of TAVTI/SCRC, recently retired after 32 years in law enforcement.  Randy plans to stay active with TAVTI/SCRC, and if you'd like to contact him, Michelle Lanham (michelle.lanham@unt.edu) can provide his information.  Congratulations, Randy, and thank you for your service!

 

   

 

 

BASTROP FIRES AFFECT TAVTI MEMBERS

 

A member of the Travis Co. Sheriffs' Combined Auto Theft Task Force (SCATTF) recently lost his home during the Bastrop fires.  The Officer is Joel Wade of Bastrop County.   He is currently residing with family away from Bastrop.  Joel and his wife had recently begun adoption proceedings on a 2-year-old boy. The boy was a family member of Joel's sister who had passed away this past year. His home was completely destroyed as were many others.  At the 2011 TAVTI/SCRC conference, an autographed Nolan Ryan baseball will be raffled, with the proceeds going to Joel's rebuilding efforts.

 

It was originally thought that retired SCATTF Detective Rudy Woods had also lost his home, but we were recently advised that his house is in tact, but with damage.  The damage estimates are unknown at this time. He will likely be displaced for at least two to three months, maybe longer.  He has been set up with a place to stay on a month-to-month basis.

 

Please keep these members in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with the rebuilding process.

SAD PASSINGS OF SCRC MEMBERS

 

William (Steve) Vestal, 61, retired DPS MVTS captain in Garland, passed away on July 18, 2011.  Steve was a long time member of TAVTI/SCRC and an excellent auto theft investigator, supervisor, friend and person.  Please keep Steve's family in your thoughts and prayers.

 

 

 

IN MEMORIAM - RECENTLY MEMBER FAMILY LOSSES

 

Several TAVTI/SCRC members have had recent losses in their families:

 

- Bill Skinner, Dallas Police Department (ret.)/LoJack, Dallas - recently lost his father, William Skinner
- Michelle Snyder, Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force, Waco - recently lost her mother, Margaret May Naylor (click here to see "thank you" from Michelle)
- Jim Simmons, Montgomery Co. Auto Theft Task Force, Conroe - recently lost his mother, Evelyn Margaret Simmons
- Mario Ceniceros, El Paso Auto Theft Task Force - recently lost his mother, M. Amelia Ceniceros
- Michelle Lanham, Reduce Auto Theft in Texas (RATT) Task Force - recently lost her nephew, Jared D. Axman

 

Please keep these members and families in your thoughts and prayers.  

 

 

 

DET. JIM WOODS REMINDS US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ROUTINE PHYSICALS

 

As many of you know, TAVTI member Det. Jim Woods was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010, and has recently completed his treatments and follow up.  We are delighted to inform everyone that Jim is now cancer-free and officially a cancer survivor!  Jim has shared some wonderful insight regarding his situation that he hopes will be helpful to others.  Please click below to read about Jim's journey.

 

LUNG CANCER