Sheriff's investigators set up shop in Chandler

Henderson County Sheriff's Investigators Wick Gabbard and Michael Teel

It's been a long time coming. Ever since Henderson County Sheriff Ronny Brownlow has been in office he has wanted sub-stations in both ends of the county.

Several weeks ago that ambition became a reality with the opening of an office in Chandler's subcourthouse by Investigators Wick Gabbard and Michael Teel.

"This basically gives us a substation, " Brownlow said. "And it gives the east end of the county a connection they haven't had in the past."

The growth of population in the eastern portion of the county, particularly the Lake Palestine area, has warranted the establishment of the office, Brownlow said.

"The sheriff wants us more readily available," Teel said. "Since we're working cases on the east end he likes us on this end of the county."

Henderson County encompasses 949.7 square miles and is approximately 65 miles across making for a lot of territory to cover when investigating a crime. With the main office centrally located in Athens, law enforcement officials have divided the county in half by Hwy. 19 into the east and west.

The Chandler sub-courthouse, located on FM 315, just south of Hwy. 31, handles the eastern portion of the county. Four years ago, two Sheriff's investigators moved into the Seven Points substation to work the west end of the county.

The new location in Chandler saves driving time, a oneway trip from Chandler to Athens is 25 miles, and will also cut down on fuel costs. Thanks to today's technology and networking, investigators will have the same access to information as they would in Athens, Brownlow said.

Gabbard, 41, who has lived in Henderson County most of his life, began his career as a Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) officer in 1990. For a time, he worked for the Border Patrol in McAllen. When he returned to Henderson County he worked as a jailer until he took a job at the Brownsboro Police Department for a year. He then worked as a patrolman for the Henderson County Sheriff's Office until he was promoted to investigator.

Teel, 36, grew up in Athens and started working in the law enforcement field in 1996 in Waco. A year later he went to work as a detention officer in the Henderson County jail.

"Most deputies start out in jail," he said. "It's a good way to get your feet wet and learn how to handle people. It gives you good people skills."

Teel was promoted to the streets as a patrol deputy in 2001, and in January 2007 he advanced to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sheriff's Department.

"Michael is hard working and very tenacious in following up on leads," Brownlow said. "He's been good at what he does. That's what gets him promoted. Both men are well liked individuals."

Along with their investigation duties, Gabbard and Teel will assist Henderson County's Drug Enforcement Unit. Both are trained members of the County's Special Weapons Tactical Unit, and have experience in handling hostage situations and drug warrants.

"We've used them a lot on drug enforcement and tactical hostage situations," Brownlow said. "They are highly trained, totally equipped and ready to go. They will be an asset to the community."

With the majority of their cases involving burglaries and assaults, both Gabbard and Teel agree the new location is more convenient and closer to their contacts, for interrogations and interviews.

"A lot of stolen items from this area end up in pawn shops in Tyler," Teel said. "We're a lot closer to that, and can still check out the pawn shops in Athens. We're just more centrally located."

The new location also allows easier access to securing warrants with Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Sue Starnes' office and courtroom in the same building.

"I'm closer to everything I'm working on and I'm out of the rat race," Gabbard said. "It's a lot quieter here, so we can get some work done."

The investigators are also more readily available for anyone who walks in off the street needing help.

"If someone walks in with a problem, and we can't handle it we can guide them in the right direction," Teel said. "If we're in the office, we're available for anything a deputy sheriff does."

Team work is key in solving crimes. Gabbard and Teel work with Starnes and Pct. Constable David Grubbs on a daily basis, and, when called for, will work hand-in-hand with area patrol officers, Brownlow said.

Brownlow credits Henderson County Pct. 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence for working out the logistics in getting the new office up and running.

"I'm excited," Brownlow said. "This just makes it more convenient for everyone all the way around."

Brownlow said he envisions a full-fledge command presence in both new sub-stations sometime in the future.

"We're just that big," he said.

To reach either investigator at their new location call Gabbard at 903-849-2054, and Teel at 903-849-2512.

"We're really pleased to have them there," Brownlow said. "We've needed someone there for a long time."