This interview was recorded on Wednesday, July 27, at the Henderson County Justice Center with Sheriff Botie Hillhouse and Michael V. Hannigan.
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Sheriff Botie Hillhouse spends most of this week's Sheriff's Report talking about a standoff situation in Payne Springs, but first we discuss the stats and budget season.
I. Stats (:47)
Summary: There are currently 448 inmates in the jail with 82 of those being contract inmates. The average for the year is 444.
Remember: The record number for inmates in the jail is 462.
II. Budget Season (1:31)
Summary: It is budget time for Henderson County government. Group budget sessions with Commissioners Court began last week. Sheriff Hillhouse said he works between 60 and 80 hours just preparing his side of the budget and getting ready for talks with Commissioners.
Quote: "We usually do two solid, full days a week on nothing else but working on the budget," Sheriff Hillhouse, "and that goes on for sometimes two months."
III. Standoff (4:01)
On Monday, July 26, at approximately 6 p.m. the Eustace Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle that was occupied by a male and female subject. The vehicle evaded law enforcement and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The vehicle traveled to the Cedar Creek Cove subdivision. Subjects stopped the vehicle and fled on foot.
Law enforcement began searching the area for the subjects. At approximately 7:19 p.m., officers observed the male subject run into a travel trailer on Eskota Street. The male subject stated he had hostages and officers observed him with what appeared to be a long rifle. The subject advised he was not coming out.
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Team and Negotiators Team were deployed to the location to attempt to apprehend the subject. The suspect called the Sheriff’s Office and gave his phone number to dispatch so negotiators could make contact with him. Negotiators began speaking with a male subject who said his name was Mike. During negotiations, deputies could hear a female subject with the male who did not seem to be in distress. Negotiations continued and the male subject advised he would come out and give up at 9:30 p.m. While speaking with negotiators he became upset saying that he needed to be left alone and he would now come out at 9:35 p.m. Tactical Team members observed a laser coming from the travel trailer toward officers. Negotiators spoke with him about the lasers and he said he was just making sure they were working properly.
At 9:35 p.m. the subject did not come outside as he stated. The negotiators continued to speak with him on the phone. While attempting to get him to come out peacefully the Tactical Team saw the travel trailer was on fire. The male subject quit speaking with negotiators. The Tactical Team deployed CS gas into the travel trailer. As soon as the gas was deployed, the Tactical Team saw the female subject attempting to exit the travel trailer coming out onto the roof. As soon as she came out onto the roof the male subject came out onto the roof.
The Tactical Team began giving commands to both subjects. The female followed commands and surrendered without further incident. She was identified as Kristin Odell who had an outstanding arrest warrant and was placed under arrest. The male subject would not comply with commands. The Tactical Team deployed 40 mm less lethal rounds striking the subject attempting to get him to comply. The subject was not responding to those less lethal rounds and the fire in the travel trailer began getting larger. Two Tactical Team members were deployed onto the roof of the travel trailer to attempt to detain the subject. Those Tactical Team members deployed a taser and the subject was then detained, taken into custody, and identified as Micheal Downey.
The Payne Springs Fire Department and Eustace Fire Department arrived on the scene and quickly put out the fire.
The Henderson County Fire Marshals Office began investigating the fire which was set in the travel trailer before the subjects were taken into custody.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Eustace Police Department, Department of Public Safety, Log Cabin Police Department, Payne Springs Police Department, Henderson County Fire Marshals Office, Payne Springs Fire Department, and Eustace Fire Department.
"We would like to thank all first responders who assisted in this incident. This situation was addressed and had an excellent outcome due to the excellent work that was done by all first responders who assisted," said Sheriff Botie Hillhouse.
Odell was arrested for the outstanding arrest warrant, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, and evading arrest.
Downey was arrested for an outstanding parole violation, evading arrest in a motor vehicle, and evading arrest. He could also be facing more charges in the near future.
