Burleson County sheriff reports 45 in jail, multiple staffing vacancies and delivers CIT mental-health report

Sheriff Sam Davey reported to the Burleson County Commissioners Court on July 24 that the county jail held 45 people — 41 males and 4 females — and the Sheriff’s Office is operating with several staffing vacancies.

Shawn Edwards, speaking for the Sheriff’s Office, told the court there are four open patrol positions, three open dispatch positions and four open jailer positions. Edwards reported that Garrett Durrenberger resigned his position as Chief Deputy after being appointed sheriff in Lee County; the minutes state that Sheriff Hermes appointed Deputy William Rios as Burleson County’s new Chief Deputy.

Edwards also provided the court with the Burleson County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) report, which the minutes say covers mental-health investigations since the program began in March 2020; the minutes reference an attachment containing the full report. Jody Tillery, the county’s Environmental Officer, reported one incident of illegal dumping and said he had completed the required certification course for his role.

The court took no opposed votes on these items; related personnel and operational matters were recorded as part of the consent and department reports. The minutes do not provide further operational detail on staffing timelines, vacancy causes, or specific CIT findings; those items appear only in attachments referenced in the record.