by Sheriff Robert Burby
Jan. 16, 2023
MISSING PERSON- JOSHUA IAN LARKIN: Mr. Joshua Ian Larkin is still missing, and we are actively investigating his whereabouts. We are investigating his actions and movements prior to him being reported as missing. We are looking to talk to any individuals who may have encountered Mr. Larkin in the days prior to him being missing. We are asking for anyone who maybe have seen Mr. Larkin on or before Thursday, November 18th in around the Jasper, Kirbyville, and Newton areas to contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office(409)379-3636 or 3637. We have placed additional photographs on our Facebook Page and provided them to the local media. Mr. Larkin who is a W/M, Ht. 6’0, weighs about 180 pounds, and is 38 years of age with short brown hair.
Eviction/Officer Shot
Arrested:
Betty Jean Richards – Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer Bond Amt: $1,000,000.00
LC Gosey, Jr. – Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer Bond Amt: $1,000,000.00
Eviction/Officer Shot: On January 14, 2023, at approximately 0934 hours, Newton County Dispatch Center received a call that an execution of a force eviction was being conducted at 3152 FM 1004, Call, Texas.
At 0942, one of the Officers on scene called in advised that shots fired. One of the Officers on the scene was hit, and all emergency responders where requested.
I contacted Jasper County Sheriff Mitchel Newman and asked for assistance of their SWAT Team. Sheriff Newman replied, we are in route. Newton County and Jasper County Deputies, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office SWAT, Newton PD responded to scene along with Texas Fish and Wildlife Officers, DPS, Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and SWAT, Trout Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Kirbyville PD, and the Texas Rangers.
Upon my arrival, I was briefed on the scene that Chief Jackson was shot and the other Officers on the scene were fired at as well. Chief Jackson was checked out on the scene and was transported to St. Elizbeth Hospital for treatment. Chief Jackson’s wound did not appear to be life-threatening, but all precautions were taken to ensure that his recovery is successful.
Preliminary investigations on the scene revealed that Constable Havard, Chief Jackson, Sgt Bluiett, and Constable McCoy were executing a forced eviction. The residents refused and fired shots at the Officers hitting Chief Jackson. Officers arrived on the scene and staged in tactical locations to take cover. Once I arrived on the scene and was briefed on what occurred and who the suspects were, I was able to make contact with them using a loudspeaker on Chief Jackson’s vehicle. I went inside the residence and contacted the suspects. I disarmed the male suspect and convinced both to come out.
The suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Newton County Jail. The investigation was turned over to the Texas Rangers because it involved attempted Capitol Murder of a Peace Officer. The suspects will be arraigned on Sunday morning and their names and booking photographs are available. This is an ongoing investigation by the Texas Rangers, and additional charges are expected.
Anytime a Brother or Sister in Blue is hurt or injured it affects us personally because we are the thin blue line between what is right and total chaos. Prayers up to all the Officers on the scene and we hope Chief Jackson has a rapid recovery. I can’t thank all the Law Enforcement Officers and their agencies enough who have our sincere gratitude for their quick response and assistance on this scene.
Calls To Services (January 9, 2023 to January 15, 2023 ): The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) answered sixty-three (63) calls to service
Jail Population: We currently have seventeen (17) inmates in the following Jails, twelve (12) housed in Newton, five (5) housed in Jasper.
Jail Bookings: Last week there was two (2) individuals booked into the NCSO Jail.
The following individual was booked and arraigned:
Betty Jean Richards – Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer
Bond Amt: $1,000,000.00
LC Gosey, Jr. – Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer
Bond Amt: $1,000,000.00
The following calls and reports were received by NCSO:
Old Champion: Welfare Concern, Trespassing, Suspicious Activity/Extra Patrol
Wiergate: Fraud, Animal Nuisance
Newton (Unincorporated Limits: Terroristic Threat, Minor Accident, Burglary, Disorderly Conduct
Buna: Mental Health Call
Belgrade: Trespassing, Miscellaneous Officer
Burkeville: Miscellaneous Officer Assist, Civil Matter/Child Custody, Civil Matter, Disturbance, Trespassing, Terroristic Threat
Shankleville: Terroristic Threat
Bleakwood: Alarm
Pine Grove: Civil Matter
Kirbyville: Assault Family Violence/Child, Burglary
Toledo Bend: False Alarm
Bon Wier: Trespassing,Suspicious Activity, Suspicious Activity
Gist: Noise/Gunshots/Extra Patrol
Deweyville: False Alarm, Property Line Dispute, Suspicious Activity/Gunshots, Property Damage Accident, Disturbance, Deadly Conduct, Officer Assist-Information, Accident, Information-Officer Assist, Public Nuisance, Animal Nuisance, Suspicious Activity, Theft
Orange: Civil Matter, Extra Patrol
Trout Creek: Trespassing
Call: Missing Person (Joshua I. Larkin – see bulletins and press releases), Eviction/Officer Shot – see the above release) Suspicious Activity, Animal Nuisance, Trespassing
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