09/05/2024
OFFICERS OF THE MONTH:
AUGUST 30TH 2024
SGT. ALISHA SLADEK, OFFICER DERRICK WALTERS, OFFICER YASMIRA BARRON
This month, Moore County Crime Stoppers is pleased to have Sergeant Sladek, Officer Walters, and Officer Barron of the Dumas Police Department as the Officers of the Month for August 2024!
These three Officers were selected as this months’ Officers of the Month because of their recent actions in which they directly intervened in an extended criminal episode by pursuing, apprehending, and identifying multiple suspects involved in a vehicle pursuit. On August 5th, 2024 at approximately 0200 hours, these Officers with the Dumas Police Department were patrolling the streets when a vehicle began to drive recklessly within the city and evade police when they attempted to intervene. This vehicle would go on to drive at excessive speeds, turn off their lights within residentials to avoid detection, and strike a Dumas PD patrol car (driven by Officer Barron). This kind of senseless and dangerous conduct continued until DPD Officers were able to stop and apprehend the vehicle and some of those inside at about 0430 hours. The subjects who continued to evade capture were identified and warrants were issued for their arrest. Multiple subjects were identified and arrested for this incident and multiple charges were filed as a result.
These Officers’ initiative and tenacity for crime fighting directly contributed to the end of this crime spree, the arrest and warrants for multiple individuals involved, and the recovery of illicit narcotics. MCCS believes that this display of commitment to the community and disregard for personal safety to intervene in a dangerous situation perfectly demonstrates the outstanding law enforcement professionals we know we have in this community. We are proud to have such great examples of what it means to be a law enforcement professional residing and working within our community. Our law enforcement professionals handle a wide array of urgent and often times dangerous situations on a regular basis and do so with knowledge and skill. Well done Sgt. Sladek, Officer Walters, and Officer Barron!
After speaking with these Officers, we learned some interesting facts we thought you might also enjoy.
Sgt. Sladek has been in law enforcement for 10 years. Prior to the last 8 years of her service with the Dumas Police Department, Sgt. Sladek was a patrol Deputy for the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Sladek attended and graduated from the Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy, Class 108. Sgt. Sladek is currently assigned to the Patrol Division as a shift supervisor and K9 handler.
Sgt. Sladek’s career goals going into law enforcement were to some day become a K9 handler, which she has accomplished and has been doing for 4 years. Sgt. Sladek’s favorite thing about law enforcement is that she likes “helping the community/citizens but not knowing what you are going to get into”. Sgt. Sladek said she likes “the unknown” and having “no real routine”. Sgt. Sladek got into law enforcement because she wanted to help the community and fight the battle against drugs in our community. Fun fact: prior to LE, Sgt. Sladek was a D2 Women’s Basketball Coach with multiple degrees involving science, magic (chemistry), and doctor stuff (anatomy). Basically, she’s an intellectual wizard.
Officer Walters has been in law enforcement for 1 year, all of which has been served as an Officer for the Dumas Police Department. Prior to this, Officer Walters was a Jailer with the Moore County Sheriff’s Office. Officer Walters attended and graduated from the Panhandle Regional Law Enforcement Academy, Class 127. Officer Walters is currently assigned to the Patrol Division as a Patrol Officer.
Officer Walters’ career goals going into law enforcement were to “help the community and put away criminals”. For those of you that have never dealt with Officer Walters, he is a surly and no-nonsense man. We discovered he tries to have conversations with as little words as possible, making for a very quick and efficient interview. He also enjoys colorful language that we cannot elaborate on further, but we’re big fans! Officer Walters’ career goals are to “lead by example and prove that Cops, as a whole, are good people trying their best to do a difficult job”. Which we couldn’t agree with more and think is very eloquently put.
Officer Barron has previously been a MCCS Officer of the Month (July 2024). As a result, we won’t rehash the entire interview we previously did about her career but if you’re curious feel free to check out the additional post with her and Officer Lay. Side note, Officer Barron was not injured during this incident and she is fine and is back to patrolling.
We hope these Officers continue to accomplish great things for this community for years to come. We love knowing that our law enforcement professionals are out there roaming our streets every day and actively looking to help citizens and prevent further crime. In the short but lovely words of Officer Walters, “I do it for my kids and their future”. We believe these Officers believe in this quote as well and demonstrate it through their actions and service to the community. Well done! Thank you for your service and dedication to yourself, your profession, and your community.
If you see these Officers out and about, shake their hand and let them know that Moore County appreciates the job they do for our community!
