By Gina Etlinger
The Huntsville “Walls Unit” loudly, proudly congratulates
Senior Warden James W. “Jim” Willett who was recently awarded
the coveted “Administrator of the Year” award.
The award, which is presented annually, began four years ago and recognizes
an outstanding administrator to include wardens and assistant wardens who
have demonstrated exemplary job performances rising above and ahead of
their peers.
The award was presented by TDCJ Executive Director Wayne Scott at the
annual systemwide wardens meeting. This years meeting was held June 15
at the Holiday Inn Banquet hall in Corpus Christi.
The selection process began with nominations. The nominees are then
narrowed down to one nominee per category with 10 names being selected
from each of the five regions.
Each region then selects one final candidate to go forward as a finalist.
From these five finalists a decision finally rendered as to whom will be
the years “Administrator of the Year” explained Region I Director
Lepher Jenkins.
When asked about this year’s winner Jenkins replied, “Excellent
choice. Well deserving. Jim Willett exemplifies what the award represents.”
“Good choice,” agreed Warden Hodges of the Byrd Unit.
“Warden Willett aged like fine wine ... gets better with time.
An excellent selection was made,” said Warden Zeller of the Terrell
Unit.
Mr. Scott stated, “Warden Willett is a very experienced warden
who has tremendous respect for all his peers ... and has now capped off
his outstanding career by being recognized as Warden of the Year. I am
proud of the great leadership he has provided through the years.”
In August, Warden Willett will have 29 years of continuous service with
TDCJ. He began his career right here at the “Walls” as a correctional
officer in 1971.
He promoted through the ranks culminating in his promotion to major
in Operational Audits (now better known as Internal Affairs) in 1983. One
year later, Willett finally left the “Walls” to accept a promotion
to assistant warden at Pack II.
In 1990, Warden Willett accepted a lateral transfer to the Diagnostic
Unit (currently the Byrd Unit). In 1993 he was promoted to senior warden
at Byrd, and in 1998 Warden Willett came full circle as he returned to
the unit he once roamed the cellblocks as a correctional officer.
Warden Willett’s most haunting memory was working as an officer
in the trusty dorm when the 1974 Carrasco hostage situation ignited. However,
his fondest memories are of all the “good people” he has worked
with through the years.
Warden Willett will celebrate 22 years of marriage in October. His wife
Janice, also works for TDCJ in Research Evaluation and Development. The
Willetts have two children, 13-year-old daughter, Jordan, and 19-year-old
son, Jacob.
The proud parents happily share the news that the New York Yankees baseball
team drafted their son. However Jacob opted to go to college instead. Jacob
will be attending first year at McLennan Community College in Waco. Kudos
to Warden Willett and his family.
“Walls”Unit Weddings
Congratulations to 2nd Shift’s Sgt. Amin Rosado on his June 28
marriage to Sgt. Sandra Roberts of the Holliday Unit. Following a honeymoon
trip to Las Vegas they will reside in Huntsville.
We also congratulate 1st Shift’s Lt. Kenneth Pace on his marriage
to Jackie Harrison who works in management at Beall’s Department store.
Following their July 8 wedding they will honeymoon in Jamaica.
Welcome to the World
Officer Darren Goemmer and his wife, Kristi, are proud first-time parents.
Their new bundle of joy, Robert Collin Goemer, entered the world on June
30 weighing in at 8 pounds, 3 ounces.
Welcome to the “Walls”
Mr. Jerry Bailey joins us in the Risk Management Office formerly known
as the Safety Office. He replaces Mr. Douglas Odom who promoted to the
office of Risk Management at the Criminal
Justice Center on the SHSU campus. Mr Bailey is a lateral transfer from
the Risk Management Office at the Goodman Unit in Jasper. His wife, Leila
Bailey, is the Inmate Records Supervisor at the Holliday Unit.
Mr. Roger Moore is the Huntsville Unit’s new Unit Supply Officer.
Mr Moore arrives here after five years at the Ellis Unit as the Inmate
Construction Assistant Superintendent.
We also welcome all our incoming transfers: J. Weber, M. Field, A. Neeley,
all three are from the Terrell Unit; M. Mixon from Goree; S. Drake From
Ferguson; D. Holloway from Eastham; and welcome back P. Mitchell.
Congrats to the Grads !
Congratulations and farewell to Daniel Hageman LMII. After three years
with TDCJ,
Officer Hageman graduated from Sam Houston State in May with two degrees
— a Bachelor of Science with a major in Criminal Justice and minor
in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business.
Officer Hageman has accepted a job with Bank One in Chicago as an investigator.
We wish him well.
A big congratulations also goes to 3rd Shift’s Officer Kelly Cheesman
who just earned her Bachelor of Science with a double major in Criminal
Justice and Psychology from Youngstown State University in Ohio. Way to
go, Cheesman!
Kudos and farewell to 2nd Shift’s Officer Bennie Schiro on his
August 1999 graduation from Sam Houston State with a Bachelor of Science
majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in History, after almost four
years with TDCJ, Officer Schiro is leaving us to attend law school in Oklahoma.
Good luck!
More congratulations to Officer James Powers who first earned an Associate
of Arts then a Bachelor of Arts both in Criminal Justice. We also congratulate
Officer Powers’ wife Honey Powers who is graduating with her Bachelor
of Arts in Criminal Justice. Mrs. Powers is employed with Walker County
Sheriff’s Department.
More congratulations to our graduates: Officer K. Heiserman-Bachelor
of Arts in Criminal Justice; Officer D. Goemmer- Bachelor of Science in
Criminal Justice; Officer S. Dominey-Bachelor of Science major in Biology,
minor in English; Officer F. Smith-Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
Congratulations to all our whiz kids! Also, congratulations and farewell
to Barbara Flanagan.
Ms. Flanagan is leaving the Huntsville Unit as a warden’s office
clerk promoting to a position across the street in Data Services.
Heartfelt Sympathies
First Shift’s Sgt. Cathy Gambrell tragically lost her 22-year-old
daughter Leslie Bibbs who was set to graduate from TDCJ’S training
academy on July 18. Ms. Bibbs leaves behind a 3-year-old son and 4-year-old
daughter.
Capt. Craig Fisher headed a benefit barbecue held Friday June 30 to
assist Sgt. Gambrell with funeral expenses. The successful event raised
almost $2,000.
Also, a Bowling Tournament will be held Saturday Aug. 12 with all proceeds
to benefit Ms. Bibbs’ two children. Everyone is invited to attend
the bowling tournament, Entry fees are $20 a person with four people per
team. There will be two sessions held: 2 p.m. and 5 pm.
Contact persons for this event are 3rd Shift Lt. Melodye Nelson and
Human Resource Representative Diane Guillory.
Sgt. Cathy Gambrell wishes to express gratitude and appreciation for
everyone’s support and encouragement during this difficult time.
The Huntsville Unit bids sorrowful farewells to two employees who recently
lost their lives, Mr. Kenneth Strunk, Industrial Supervisor IV of Textile,
died after a brief illness. Mr. Strunk, worked for TDCJ for 18 years with
the first 12 years in security and the last six years in the Textile Mill.
Mr Strunk was known as a good man who performed his job with diligence
and integrity. We will miss him. Mr. Strunk is survived by his wife, Earleen,
and one son and daughter-in-law who live in Germany. A special thanks to
the CPO (Correctional Peace Officer) Foundation for all their assistance
to the Strunk family.
Second shift will dearly miss the well-liked and good natured Officer
John Morris. The handsome 25-year-old officer was killed in a one-vehicle
accident returning from an outing to New Braunfels with his brother and
friends.
The only other occupant in the vehicle, John’s younger brother,
is recovering well from the injuries sustained in the accident.
John Morris worked for TDCJ for two years and was set to return to Sam
Houston State University in the fall. John Morris is survived by his 19-year
old brother, Joseph Morris, and parents Tommy and Charlann Morris. Mrs.
Morris is a secretary in the History Department at SHSU and Mr. Morris
is employed with TDCJ as a psychologist at the Wynne Unit.
A special thanks to the more than 30 benevolent 1st Shift officers who
graciously volunteered to work overtime the day of John Morris’ 2
p.m. funeral. This act enabled the majority of 2nd Shift officers to attend
the July 11 funeral.
More than 50 employees attended the somber event including shift lieutenants
Rod Kukua and Melodye Nelson, shift Capt. Terry Green, unit Maj. Kenneth
Dean, Senior Warden Jim Willett, Region I Director Lepher Jenkins and TDCJ’s
Honor Guard.
Mr. Tommy Morris expresses his thanks to all who were able to attend
and stated that he and his family were “honored” and “touched”
by the show of support from TDCJ and the Honor Guard.
“It helped to ease our burden,” said Mr. Morris.
The Huntsville Unit expresses its sorrow on the recent assault on 2nd
Shift Officer Shelly Culp by an assigned offender. She is in our thoughts
and prayers and we wish her a complete recovery.
A Job Well Done!
The “Walls” Unit recognizes 1st Shift Officer Allen R. Lillard
for job excellence. An assigned offender working as an SSI in a transient
building obtained transient clothes and another offender’s identification
who was scheduled to be released from custody that day.
Officer Lillard recognized the assigned offender who was attempting
to assume the identity of the transient offender. He alerted a supervisor
and detained the offender thus averting a possible escape.
Officer Lillard began his career in 1985 at the Goree Unit and transferred
to the Huntsville Unit in May 1992 where most of the past eight years he
has assigned as security for the lower yard. In September 1992 he returned
to 1st shift where he has continued to perform his duties in an exemplary
manner. Officer Lillard received a day of paid Administration Leave and
a letter of recognition for his outstanding duty performance.
