By Brandi McGee
It is with deepest sympathy that the French M. Robertson Unit announces
the passing of one of our own officers, Betsy Laird.
Betsy began her career with Texas Department of Criminal Justice in
April 1994. She worked in general population and was serving on first shift.
Ms. Laird was an excellent officer as well as friend. Her presence will
be greatly missed throughout the Robertson Unit.
May God be with her family and loved ones.
The French Robertson Unit is saddened with another loss of an employee.
Christopher O’Neal Gardener, 25, of Stamford, passed away June 10.
He was born Sept. 17, 1974 in Hobbs, N.M. to Debra and Jimmy O’Neal.
Chris graduated from Stamford High School in 1994 and went on to Cisco
Junior College on a basketball scholarship. In 1995, he enlisted in the
Army where he served four years. At the time of his passing, he was employed
as a correctional officer with TDCJ. May God be with his family and loved
ones.
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The following Robertson Unit employees celebrated a birthday in June:
Richard Avants, Teresa Aynes, James Bales, Billy Bardin, Neel Barnaby,
Tony Brinegar, Carolyn Brooks, Willadean Brooks, Karl Butler, Sharon Carroll,
Crissy Churchill, Kimberly Clark, Jack Clement, Michael Collingsworth,
Willie Cooper, Larry Daniel, Steven Davis, Bobbie Derington, John Emerson,
Teresa Emerson, Ruth Enriquez, Robert Esquivel, Tonya Etheredge, Larry
Ferguson, George Gross, Joshua Harrell, Jerry Harris, Stephen Isaac, David
Lane, Krissy Loggains, Fernando Lopez, Floyd Luker, Roxann Martinez, Robert
May, Harold McCoy, Paula McGary, Gary McKillip, Erica Montoya, Delbert
Nunley, Robert Oien, Ismael Ortegon, Ernest Perez, James Pliml, Terry Pringle,
Belinda Raines, Jose Rosas, Jesse Rutherford, Joe Salas, Mario Sanchez,
Daniel Saucedo, Sletha Selman, Van Spill, David Stevens, Ricky Stewart,
Robert Thomsen, George Titus, Tito Tovias, Santos Trevino, Vic Vaughan,
Jerry Vessels, Rocky Whitley and Troy Wilson.
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Mr. Billy Kilopatrick was named employee of the month for May. Mr. Kilopatrick
works in the Garment Factory. Assistant Plant Manager, Terry Worden, nominated
him for this honor. He was nominated as being very conscious of his work
hours; he strives to always be on time and seldom takes time off.
While working the belligerent and sometimes aggressive offenders, he
shows a respectful attitude and tact that immediately diffuses a situation,
yet exhibiting a firm and authoritative position.
A big congratulations goes out to Mr. Kilopatrick.
Officer Kenny Moore was recently named as Officer of the Month for May.
Mr. Moore who has 108 months of service with the state was described as
“consistently demonstrating himself to be a highly self-motivated
individual who possesses a high degree of intelligence.
His productivity on beautification of the unit is without fault. Way
to go, Officer Moore.
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Linda Hughes of the education department was selected as Employee of
the Month for June. Mrs. Hughes currently teachers Literacy II and has
been with the education department since the farm opened in January 1993.
Mrs. Hughes was described as being “diligent in the classroom and
a team player as a staff member.”
She is well deserving of this honor. Keep up the hard work, Mrs. Hughes!
The Officer of the Month came from first shift high security and was
nominated by Lt. J. Jones. Hazel Brown who has 48 months of service with
the state was chosen for June.
Officer Brown was described as being “an enjoyable person to be
around who is devoted to her job.
Her firm, fair and consistent management of offenders has allowed her
to develop very professional work habits.” Congratulations, Officer
Brown!
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Congratulations goes out to the following employees who were recently
promoted: Emily Jacobs, chief of classification; Robert Kelleher, Project
RIO; Galyn Coffman, classification manager; Bonnie Young, grievance investigator
II; Yuself McCree, sergeant of correctional officers.
