More indictments expected
Police supporters rally for officers who could face charges
Print- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
18 Comments
- •
Favorite- •
-
Report error
-
Thank you for your submission.Error report or correction
- Close
-
- •
Victoria police and their supporters gathered Thursday afternoon in anticipation of more indictments.
Civilian Police Academy members organized outside the sheriff’s office at 4 p.m. – the exact time a grand jury was scheduled to meet.
They had heard the grand jury that indicted the police chief and former city attorney on five counts Tuesday might sign off on charges against others in the department.
At 4:20 p.m., officer R.C. Guerra told the group if the media questioned them, they should say were there to support the police department.
It appears more indictments are on their way, he told the group, although nothing was certain.
“It may or may not happen,” he said. “We don’t know.”
Shortly before 5 p.m., the academy members moved to the police department, in anticipation of an arrest. However, the grand jury recessed without any indictments being made public.
Paperwork from the grand jury likely will be available this morning, District Attorney Stephen Tyler said.
The Texas Municipal Police Association organized Thursday’s show of support, said Sammy Jacobs, the organization’s member liaison from Austin.
“We were told something was supposed to be coming down,” Jacobs said. Victoria officers who belong to the association called Jacobs because the indictments made them worry about the department’s reputation.
The officers “feel like they’ve been called crooks,” Jacobs said. “You all do have a good police department.”
He appreciated all of the support, Police Chief Bruce Ure said.
“I didn’t know anything about it ’till I heard them,” Ure said. “I walk out, and there’s a trove of support.”
After staff locked the police department lobby at 5 p.m., about three dozen supporters walked past Ure in a line. Officers and detectives dressed in crisp blue mingled with civilian academy members.
“The support is incredible,” Ure said.
Allison Miles contributed to this report. Leslie Wilber is a reporter for the Victoria Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6521 or e-mail her at lwilber@vicad.com or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.
-
Print
- •
-
Share
- Share this item
-
Grab the link
Copy and paste the link:
- Blog about it
- Close
- •
-
18 Comments
- •
- Favorite
- •
-
Report error
-
Thank you for your submission.Error report or correction
- Close
-
- •
Comments
It is necessary to be able to read, write and comprehend to get the humor of a conversation you were not a part of. You, give it a rest you ole' crab. I think your tapioca is ready---now go gum it.
June 3, 2008 at 12:03 a.m.Actually it stated with Prescott.
Let's see here. If Tyler was Ronnie Earl an indictment would be all that was needed and the Mayor and all would have already been guilty. Ronnie Earl doesn't need no sticking proof. The seriousness of the charge is reason enough to be found guilty.
Let's get him down here to straighten this mess up. Wait a minute, he hasn't gotten his own messed straightened up.
It's all Bush's fault anyway. His dad started a plot here when he landed out at the airport on Air Force 2 years ago.
June 1, 2008 at 1:02 p.m.Even though Rita Moreno was annoying I would rather pin Charo on him as she was just down right obnoxious.
May 31, 2008 at 4:57 p.m.But Raggedy knows Bush was behind Iran, Iraq, 911, Katrina, Rita, and Rita Moreno. All terrible tradegys brought on but the evil Bushies.
May 31, 2008 at 4:54 p.m.Oh my ragbag,
May 31, 2008 at 4:49 p.m.Hereee weee goooo....
You just couldn't keep your hatred for Bush from from trying to drag him into this topic. Guess you didn't get enough milage from the latest tell-all book to satisfy your need spill your venom. For Pete's sake, please give it a rest.
Thanks Ragman, next thing you know people will be blaming Bush for this fiasco
May 31, 2008 at 4:45 p.m.No, acre per acre--it has to be Crawford. That is, when Bush is in town .
May 31, 2008 at 4:05 p.m.Laredo is the most corrupt city/town in Texas.......
May 31, 2008 at 1:50 p.m.Kiddblownup: Consider citing your sources when listing Victoria as one of the worse in South Texas.
I voted with my choice. I can live anywhere in south Texas, and chose Victoria for many reasons.
I suppose you would chose McAllen (all but one of the County Court went to prison along with the sheriff), Falfurrias, Laredo, Freer, Corpus, Robstown, etc.
Name your place, big boy. Have you ever even been through south Texas?
May 31, 2008 at 1:41 p.m.Too late Shine! Victoria is already known as one of the worst cities in South Texas. Living in the 50's only gets you so far.
Tyler is only upset because he wasn't winning his pissing contest with the Mayor, Chief and City Attorney.
May 31, 2008 at 1:03 p.m.Thank you Steve Tyler for trying to uphold the law in Victoria even though people in power are the lawbreakers. That is not a popular stance and I am sure it would have been much easier for you and for your family to have just let the big boys slide.
However, it appears that these people's actions may have been in an effort to prevent Ratcliff from getting a fair deal and a fair trial. You may think Ratcliff is guilty but I personally think he has been set up by some very powerful people who did not like his common sense leadership. If he is guilty, then he should be punished as deserved. If not then he should not be ramroded into a conviction based on the underhanded efforts of people like the Police Chief and Mayor.
May 31, 2008 at 10:31 a.m.Be careful what you ask for! Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is a fine man who follows the rule of law. Perhaps you better check with Mayor Armstring, former City Attorney Smith, Police Chief Ure, and the City Manager and make sure that they really want the Attorney General of Texas investigating all of this mess. When it is all said and done they might find themselves indicted by the AG as wellas the DA. We have got to clean house and we better do it quickly before it is too late and the reputation of our fine city has been damaged beyond repair.
May 31, 2008 at 9:45 a.m.Tomorrow Steve Tyler will have the Grand Jury indict a Ham Sandwich. Grand Juries are usually puppets of the District Attorney, and this one surely is. They only hear what he presents not any contrary information. The accused doesn't have a chance until there is an actual public trial. The grand jury process supposed to provide a filter to filter or restrain prosecutions, but in fact usually rubber stamps District Attorney requests. Then as Tyler has, the DA can say... "Those fine upstanding citizens did their duty, don't look funny at me."
If the former Sheriff did wrong, convict him if you can.
But Tyler shouldn't try to become the Big Kahuna in his first term. It could be his last, and not because of a promotion to higher office.
May 31, 2008 at 2:46 a.m.Tyler was losing a pissing contest and decided to revert back to his elementary school days and tattle on everyone. He's a loser and he's only trying to cover his own corrupt ways.
May 30, 2008 at 9:49 p.m.Before we start branding Steve Tyler a crazed maniac and before we decide whether local officials are worthy of indictment and before we start writing letters to the AG, LET'S GET A GRIP and let the people hear "the truth, the whole truth and NOTHING BUT the truth in a court of law. And then if that's not enough to convince everyone, we can see the whole drama unfold on Primetime, 60 Minutes, 20/20, CNN and Fox. After all the proof is in the pudding, right?
May 30, 2008 at 3:47 p.m.Crazed maniac? Get real. Ego....maybe...
May 30, 2008 at 1:01 p.m.Oh yeah.....Let's report Steve Tyler for trying to uphold the law. God forbid that people who commit crimes should be arrested!
May 30, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.Steve Tyler is a sick and evil man. His incompetence and pomposity is damning to our community. It is time for the AG's Office to hear from the good citizens of Victoria County. Tyler is a crazed egotistical maniac. He is desperate and he is a big disappointment. A BIG disappointment!
May 30, 2008 at 11:51 a.m.Office of the Attorney General
PO Box 12548 Austin, TX 78711-2548
By telephone: Main agency switchboard Public Information & Assistance
1-800-252-8011 or 1-(512) 463-2191