Dec 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 12

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK Turning 40! It’s been a long journey, but we’ve finally made it. This month, we celebrate the founding of The County Blues, a small tabloid created to serve law enforcement in Texas. Forty years later, a new magazine was created called THE BLUES and become The Largest Police Magazine in the World. It all began in 1984 in a little town in Texas called Humble. (Pronounced Umble, the H is silent) I was just a rookie deputy with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office when a few fellow deputies and I met at the Humble City Café and discussed starting a newsletter for the department. One thing led to another and The County Blues was born on December 20, 1984. The County Blues became simply The BLUES in 1987 and some years after that, Buddy Williams took over and changed the name to The BLUES Police Newspaper. Unfortunately in May of 2018, Williams made the decision to retire the Newspaper after a record 34 years. A year later, a new chapter began as an all-new magazine was created. This new publication would simply be called “The BLUES.” The first issue was published on December 20, 2019, as an all-digital, full color, on-line magazine serving law enforcement across America. Our first issue had less than 5,000 readers and was only 60 pages in length. Four years later, we average 250 pages and have over 1.5 million readers per issue. We are humbled by the support we’ve received these past few years given the unprecedented worldwide epidemic that crippled our economy and took so many of our brothers and sisters in BLUE. But we stayed the course and provided support not only for our advertisers, but the families of those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. The statistics are humbling: 480 issues; 8,240 pages; 480 war stories; and over 36.9 million readers. Over the years, hundreds of individuals have contributed their time and efforts to publish The Blues. Not to mention the hundreds of advertisers that have provided the income necessary to produce such a publication. In the following pages, we honor as many of these individuals and businesses as possible. I apologize in advance if we missed anyone, but know we appreciate your support and assistance. Our cover this month is especially noteworthy as well. In the 40-year history of The BLUES and all its iterations, I have never personally appeared on the cover. I always felt it was more important to cover the news, not be the news. But this month, I broke with tradition and stand proud with two individuals that have been instrumental in the success of The BLUES. I’ll begin with our Senior Editor Dr. Tina Jaeckle, who joined the BLUES in 2020, writing a monthly column entitled “Blue Mental Health.” Not long after, she expanded her role to a contributing editor providing our readers with behind the scenes and in-depth stories of law enforcement leaders across the country. Dr. Jaeckle received a BS degree in criminology from Florida Southern College, completed a master’s in social work from the University of Houston, a master’s degree in criminal justice, with a specialty track in the behavioral sciences from Nova Southeastern University, and earned a Ph.D. in the humanities and social sciences, with an emphasis in conflict analysis and resolution (specialty in crisis management), from the same institution. Dr. Jaeckle has served the law enforcement community for nearly 25 years as a crisis and trauma counselor, consultant, and instructor and is a strong supporter of LEOs, their families, and the mission to serve and protect. Dr. Jaeckle’s feature stories have elevated The BLUES to a worldclass publication, and I am proud to have her join us on the cover. 6 The Blues 40th Anniversary Issue

Chief Rex Evans, Pretends to fly a FOX! HOBBY AIRPORT Southwest Flight FL 2903 MD 500 FOX Helicopter courtsey of The Houston Police Department, Aviation Division. Lt. John King, Retired HPD Pilot, can fly a FOX! Sgt. Michael Barron, Can’t hover worth a crap, but tries to fly a FOX. Dr. Tina Jaeckle, Rides in the back of a FOX. Carrier Vests provided courtesy of Rick Fernandez and Cop Stop in Pearland, Texas. Cover Photography by Sgt. David Ramirez, Alvin ISD Police Department! The Blues 40th Anniversary Issue 7