Freestone County Sheriff’s Report

Ralph Billings Man calls, having the worst time of his life, will just try to go to sleep for now. 911 dialed on cell phone, answered by Dispatch multiple times but no one on line.

Turned out this was on FCR-332 where a man had just turned the electricity back on at a trailer house. Apparently there was an electrical problem in same and up it went in flames.

His 911 attempts failed but another party called to report there might be a house on fire, Oakwood VFD called out, but upon their arrival, the house was fully gone. Remember, when possible, make those 911 Calls on Land Line phone. At least we get an address that way, cell phones we don’t.

Wortham PD Keathley to report of someone opening man’s gate on Hwy. 14, two horses getting out and struck by train. Also, gunshots reported on East San Saba. FPD Tiner arrests female driver on Service Road, 4 Outstanding City Warrants.

Local man thinks he has lost $11,000.00…..Further checking on same reveals he did withdraw it at the bank, but he can’t remember what he did with it…..Will keep looking! This old gentleman is 87 years of age, and the Bank Tellers did remember him coming in personally to make the withdrawals himself…. He’d just forgotten that he did that.

Loose horse, Hwy. 179, repenned by DPS Purnell and Deputy Shipley. FEMS to South Bateman, 71 year old with chest pains. Man calls to advise ATM machine in Teague kept his card, wouldn’t give it back, advised to contact Bank during normal working hours. Lady calls from Oakwood, stray cat came in her house, it bit her, Leon County S.O. notified.

Young man shows up for regular Probation Visit on schedule but seemed to have a strange odor about himself, Deputies called in…..Yep, it was the mutual opinion of both Deputies Shipley and Diana Willis that this young man did indeed have a strange odor about himself…..It was judged to be due to the large amount of intoxicating liquor that he had imbibed. But have no fear, smell or no smell, we take ‘em all….He is now temporarily residing on the Courthouse Square, Downtown Fairfield!

TPD Scott Sykora to Jail with DWI arrested on West Main, Teague. Deputy Shipley to report of dogs attacking hog, FCR-540….turned out to be a Pot-Bellied Pig, Jeremy found an open gate, the hog ran in, looked like he felt right at home, and Jeremy believed he was.

Fairfield PD notified that son jumped out of Mom’s car at Bateman and Reunion while Mom driving him to Alternative School. Loose bull at Ward Prairie.

TPD Cordova arrests man on Main, Terroristic Threat….He’d been drinking all day, picked up an axe and told his wife he was going to cut her head off, and of course he added a few colorful metaphors and adjectives.

FPD to Talford, boyfriend trying to knock girlfriends door down. Also to people troubles on Oak Street. FEMS and Fairfield PD to Love’s, truck driver believed having a reaction to some of the chemicals he loaded earlier on his truck. Dep. Hendrix to FM-27, 4-Wheeler stolen.

My friend Terry Lair has passed away….”Big T” to most folks. Countless friends throughout the area. A good man with a heart as big as he was. Always ready with a warm smile and a helping hand. He will truly be missed by a large host of folks.

A Chili and Barbecue Expert. A competitor for all types of cooking events. I was unable to attend his service due to attending a class in Tyler. My apology to the family for being out of town and our condolences.

One of the funniest tales on Big T was years ago he made plans to enter the famous Chili Cook-Off in Terlingua. This would have been in the early 90’s. Big T had recently purchased a Winnebago that was about 20 years old. The day for leaving came and Big T folded up the ramp, left Fairfield, west bound, enroute to Terlingua.

Two groups actually left, Big T in the Winnebago with two or three and the rest in another vehicle, leaving one day later. It was fortunate they had the second vehicle….. They would make use of it chasing parts….But read on.

Big T and his smaller entourage got as far as Prairie Hill that day. The water pump had developed a serious leak, none could be found and it had to be ordered, with arrival the next day. They spent the night on the side of US-84, broke down. Now, I mentioned the other vehicle and using it to chase parts, well this was the first of many usages. Another break down or two occurred, small things mostly…..an alternator at San Angelo, broken carburetor linkage at Gatesville, then miscellaneous small things….. They pulled in at Terlingua one or two days late, far too late to enter the competition which was the original purpose of the trip. Oh, I nearly forgot one other break down; while turning a corner at Big Bend…..bloop!..... the rolled up awning on the entire right side of the Winnebago suddenly shot out to full width and locked into position, fully extended!.....

Most of those men who made that Terlingua trip are still alive today. When the trip is mentioned, they break into a wide smile due to the memories it recalls…..No, they have no remorse due to all of the mechanical problems…. Indeed what they each remember is the camaraderie that they shared on that long trip, with Big T right at the center of it all. The trip took about twice the number of days planned…..But they didn’t care. It was worth it! Big T, Terry Lair, was that kind of guy….folks just enjoyed his company. He left lots of memories…..

DPS Carter to accident in Limestone County, Hwy- 164. Dep. Rick Howerton to US-79, Oncor fence cut. TPD Cordova to 11th, keys locked in car. Mexia EMS to San Saba, wife having severe stomach pains. JP Theresa Farris to Death Inquest at ER. THDEMS to Cedar, two year old just fell, struck head.

Officers Keathley and Carter to Rischer, one man pulled a shotgun on another. Fairfield VFD to pickup on fire, FCR-1260. Teague PD dealing with two calls made from Pine, one saying big problems, come quick, other caller saying no problems, don’t even bother. Dep. Thomas Hendrix arrests man at restaurant on Warrant, finds him in possession of Meth and pills….To Jail, obviously!

911 call by man advises baby’s Mama won’t give his car key to him….Also, she pushed him, FPD to same. Two drunk men reported on FCR-610, searching for Buddah. WPD Carter arrests DWI, Hwy. 14. Fairfield VFD to vehicle fire on S. Bateman. TPD Chief Cox to N. 3rd, possible disturbance. Mexia EMS and Wortham VFD to San Saba, Lady lost consciousness, now roused back around.

Oncor notified, electricity out at Dew School. Big rain falling all day Thursday, many roads flooded out. FEMS to S. Bateman, 90 year old man feeling poorly. THDEMS to FCR-866, smoke in house, one appears to be suffering from smoke inhalation, purple faced. TPD Martin to barking dog complaint on Mulberry. 18-Wheeler jackknifed on US-84 by Country Club. Deputy House puts loose cow back through fence, FCR-606.

Deputy Cory House arrests man found violating Protective Order. Deputy Travis Robertson reports high water, FCR-941. Many calls on vehicles hydroplaned off pavement. Dep. Robert Elom to loose bull, FM-2777. Deputies to disturbance on FM- 2570, folks refuse to leave. Troubles between two Ex’s, FCR-445, one threatening to slash some tires…Okay, the would-be slasher is leaving. TPD Martin to disturbance 0n Mulberry. FPD to N. Hall, Family Troubles.

FEMS to East Main, possible broken leg. TPD Reed arrests man on warrants, Dap’s. WPD Carter arrests man on Limestone Warrants. FEMS and Dew VFD to FM-489, man with medical problem. Linda has a skunk on her front porch on Juliet. FPD to N. Bateman on report someone just pulled a gun on another. Large hole washed out on FM-27, Tx- DOT advised. Dog chasing man’s cows, Hwy-179. DPS Purnell arrests motorist, Mile 189, Dallas County Warrant.

Welp, that is about it for another week….A wet one….and the weather guys say more is coming.

Until Next Week….. RALPH BILLINGS