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Parker County and City of Weatherford Special Crimes Unit Continues to Reap benefits

When Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler and former Weatherford Police Chief, now assistant City Manager, Jerry Blaisdell created the Weatherford/Parker County Special Crimes Unit, they new it would reap awards, but they never expected $150,000 in an anonymous donation.

Both Fowler and Blaisdell received a check last week from the Community Foundation of North Texas, in the amount of $75,000 to be used for law enforcement projects in honor of the cooperative effort.

A letter dated April 25, 2008, from Homer Dowd, President of the Community Foundation of North Texas, stated the grant came from an anonymous donor.

“First of all I just want to thank the donor and the Community Foundation of North Texas, this is a wonderful gift that will allow us to get started now on projects that we did not believe possible in the near future,” Fowler said. “I am and have always been a firm believer in cooperative efforts when it comes to law enforcement. We certainly appreciate this donation and will put it to good use.”

Parker County Judge Mark Riley said the donation was a welcome surprise and expressed support for the combined efforts of the Parker County Sheriff and the Weatherford Police Department.

“This reinforces the outstanding job Sheriff Fowler and Jerry Blaisdell have been doing for the residents of Parker County,” Riley said.

Weatherford Mayor Dennis Hooks said he is proud of both men and the jobs they have done.

“They are a good team,” said Hooks about Fowler and Blaisdell. “I am very proud of what they have accomplished together and I look forward to this cooperative going forward.”

Blaisdell said this is a significant gift to the Parker County Sheriff Dept. and the Weatherford Police Dept.

“Although the individual who gave this most generous donation wishes to remain anonymous it serves as an example of their personnel character, concern for this community and their fellow citizens,” he said. “I am always amazed by the generosity of individuals and organizations that continue to give of their time, effort and money to make Weatherford and Parker County a better place to live.  It is also gratifying to know that the cooperative efforts of the Sheriff Department and the Weatherford Police Department have been recognized.” 

Blaisdell said he too has long believed that there are many things in law enforcement and government in general that can be better accomplished collectively than individually. 

“It is not only more productive and efficient it is more cost effective as well,” he said. “The working relationship between the two agencies serves as an example of what can be accomplished when individuals work together toward a common goal.  This donation will be utilized to enhance and improve this type of combined and cooperative approach to law enforcement and making Weatherford and Parker County a safer place to live, work and play.”

Fowler and Blaisdell both said they are proud of the efforts of each of the officers and sheriff deputies who have come together as a single team to better serve this area. 

“Our Special Crimes Unit has taken over 15 pounds of methamphetamine, over nine pounds of marijuana and five pounds cocaine off the streets of Parker County just from January to March of this year alone,” Fowler said. “This unit has made hundreds of arrests and is working extremely hard to do everything we can to make Weatherford and Parker County a safe place for our residents.”

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