March 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 3

AROUND THE COUNTRY

AROUND THE COUNTRY SUPPORT THE OFFICER CENTERVILLE, TX. Montgomery County Deputy Charles Rivette was killed in a crash during an inmate transfer in Centerville Texas along I-45. CENTERVILLE, TX. (KTRK) -- A Montgomery County sheriff’s deputy died in a crash while transporting an inmate on Wednesday night, according to the sheriff’s office. The crash happened just before 10:30 p.m. in Centerville, Texas, which is about two hours and 100 miles north of Houston. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, an MCSO patrol vehicle conducting an inmate transport was traveling southbound on I-45 in Leon County when it hit an 18-wheeler also traveling southbound. Officials believe the patrol vehicle may have sideswiped the 18-wheeler. During the crash, 38-year-old Deputy Charles Rivette, the front seat passenger, was ejected from the patrol vehicle and landed in the northbound lanes, DPS said. That’s when a pickup truck in the northbound lanes hit him, and two other 18-wheelers hit the patrol vehicle. The driver of the patrol vehicle, identified as 37-year-old Deputy James Francis, and the inmate who was sitting in the back seat were taken by Life Flight to area hospitals with serious injuries. Deputy Rivette was pronounced dead at the scene, DPS said. One of the 18-wheeler drivers who struck the patrol vehicle was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. DPS said the other drivers involved were uninjured. An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Texas Highway Patrol with the assistance of the District Crash Reconstruction Team. “Sheriff Henderson expresses his profound sorrow and extends condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Rivette. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is lifting TROOPER CHARLES RIVETTE up Deputy Rivette, Deputy Francis, and the injured inmate in our prayers,” MCSO said in a statement. MCSO said Deputy Rivette had been with the sheriff’s office for about 18 years. It’s unclear if speed played a factor in the crash, but officials noted that the speed limit on that stretch of I-45 is 75 mph. DOWN MEMORIAL PAGE VIA THE 2023 CFC CHARITY # 62937 Calling all federal employees, military personnel, and retirees – the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) is participating in the 2023 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) organized by OPM.Your support through the CFC can make a significant impact on our mission to honor and remember the over 26,000 brave men and women in law enforcement who have sacrificed their lives for our safety. To pledge your support to ODMP, follow these simple steps: 1. Visit https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/offerings 2. Search “Officer Down Memorial Page” or use CFC code 62937. 3. Add us to your pledge by January 2023. Your pledge in CFC shows gratitude to those who protect us. Thank you for considering ODMP in the CFC Learn more at ODMP.org/info/cfc. 50 The Blues - March ‘24 The Blues - March ‘24 51