Citizens on Patrol
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The Washington County Citizens on Patrol (COP) organization was organized under the auspices of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and operates under its authority. This organization is a professionally trained, volunteer organization whose mission is to serve as an extension of the eyes and ears of the Sheriff’s Office. COP units are equipped with two-way radios and are always in contact with Central Communications (Dispatch). COP volunteers do not enforce the law, but do notify dispatch and law enforcement officials when violations of the law are observed.
Members patrol neighborhoods and over 1,300 miles of county and state roads, reporting any suspicious or unusual activities to the Sheriff’s Office. When requested, we also provide traffic control support at traffic accidents to free Sheriff Deputies for other important duties. Additional duties include traffic control and security patrols at special county events such as the Burton Cotton Gin Festival, the Chappell Hill Bluebonnet and Scarecrow Festivals, the Independence July 4th Parade and the Washington on the Brazos July 4th fireworks display. COPs also provide administrative support to the Sheriff’s Office.
COP members must first attend the Citizens Police Academy before being trained for COP duties. The COP training includes:
· Traffic control: Correct and safe procedures of directing traffic.
· Communications: How to use the law Enforcement radios and radio protocol.
· HAZMAT awareness: Identification of Hazardous Material at accident sites.
· SKYWARN Weather: Identification of serious weather conditions such as tornadoes
· Pipeline Emergency Response Training: Procedures if first on the scene at a pipeline incident.
· FEMA Training through on line courses
For more information on the Washington County COP program, contact:
· Larry Neveux at 979-451-2446
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Members patrol neighborhoods and over 1,300 miles of county and state roads, reporting any suspicious or unusual activities to the Sheriff’s Office. When requested, we also provide traffic control support at traffic accidents to free Sheriff Deputies for other important duties. Additional duties include traffic control and security patrols at special county events such as the Burton Cotton Gin Festival, the Chappell Hill Bluebonnet and Scarecrow Festivals, the Independence July 4th Parade and the Washington on the Brazos July 4th fireworks display. COPs also provide administrative support to the Sheriff’s Office.
COP members must first attend the Citizens Police Academy before being trained for COP duties. The COP training includes:
· Traffic control: Correct and safe procedures of directing traffic.
· Communications: How to use the law Enforcement radios and radio protocol.
· HAZMAT awareness: Identification of Hazardous Material at accident sites.
· SKYWARN Weather: Identification of serious weather conditions such as tornadoes
· Pipeline Emergency Response Training: Procedures if first on the scene at a pipeline incident.
· FEMA Training through on line courses
For more information on the Washington County COP program, contact:
· Larry Neveux at 979-451-2446
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Larry Neveux
COP DIrector Larry Neveux and Fred Leonard with Val-Tex Incorporated. Larry was raised in Houston, Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University. He is retired from the United States Air Force as a base commander in the United Kingdom after 24 years. During that time he also served in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NATO, Europe and the Pacific. He is currently a realtor at Heritage Texas Country Properties with 16 years experience. He has been a member of the Washington County.Citizens on Patrol since its beginning in 2008. He is currently President of the Washington County Citizens on Patrol LLC. Larry is married to his wife of 33 years, Pat, and they have one child and two grandchildren.
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Frankie Grizzaffi
Frank graduated from the Houston Firefighters Training Academy Class of '74. He attended the University of Texas School for Allied Health Care Professionals as a Paramedic. He has also served as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Boating Instructor. After 31 years with the City of Houston Fire Department, Frank has been a Citizens on Patrol member since its inception in 2008. He is currently a Director of the Washington County Citizens on Patrol LLC. |
Kent Buford
Prior to working at Gulf/Chevron as an electrician for 31 years, Kent attended Jacksonville Baptist Junior College, then Lamar University in Beaumont after graduation from Bridge City High School. He retired and moved to Brenham twelve years ago and has been a member of Citizens on Patrol for over four years and currently serves as the Treasurer. |
Doss Pruitt
Doss is a graduate of Prairie View A & M University. He is a native of Linden, Texas. After 39 years, 10 of them active duty in the United States Army, Doss retired from the military after 39 years IBM after 20 years and Prairie View A& M University after 20 years. Doss has been a Citizens on Patrol member since 2010.He has been a board member of the Washington County Healthy Living where he is a full time volunteer, Doss and his wife Susan have two children. |
Gary Baldwin After graduation from high school in San Antonio, Gary joined the United States Coast Guard in 1968. After his service he joined Mrs. Baird's Bakeries as Maintenance Manager. He moved to Houston in 1992 with Mrs. Baird's Houston plant. Gary retired as s Senior Project Manager with 40 years of service. He moved to Brenham after retiring in 2013 and joined the Citizens on Patrol in December of 2014. Gary is married to his wife Peggy of 39 years and they have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. |
Gene Herrmann
Gene Herrmann receives his Certificate of Assignment from Sheriff Otto H. Hanak. Gene is a Washington County native. He graduated from Brenham High School and received his BA from Park University. Gene spent close to eleven years in the United States Air Force with one combat tour of duty in Viet Nam. He is a graduate of class 4 of the Brenham Citizens Police Academy and an original member of the Brenham Citizens on Patrol program. Gene joined the Washington County Citizens on Patrol program in 2011. |
Car for COP
The WCSO donated a car to the Citizens on Patrol. Pictured standing left to right Captain Claude Free, Frankie Grizzaffi, Chuck Vest, Gene Herrmann, Chief Deputy Jay Petrash, and Sheriff Otto H. Hanak. Kneeling are Larry Neveux, Kent Buford, Doss Pruitt and Tom Townsend |