Behind the Badge: Meeting the divisions

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - It’s week three of the Behind the Badge: Citizens Academy at the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office, and this session gave participants a deeper look into the divisions that keep the agency running every day.

The evening began with instructor Melvin Joyner introducing Sgt. Dawn Ramos of the transport division. Ramos walked the class through the responsibilities of transporting inmates both locally and across state lines. She explained the safety procedures involved and even demonstrated what it feels like to be restrained for transport.

Reporter Hunter Doughty had the opportunity to be briefly chained up in front of the class. While he could still walk, running or escaping was clearly not an option.

Classmate Cathy Dodson said she was surprised to learn how far transport deputies sometimes travel and who they transport.

“It was very interesting to me that when the young lady said that she has gone as far as Louisiana to pick up a prisoner by herself, and it was a male prisoner. And to me, that would be kind of dangerous,” Dodson said.

After Hunter’s time in restraints ended, Lt. Greg Wilson with the patrol division took the floor. Wilson explained that patrol duties extend far beyond writing tickets.

With more than 17,000 dispatched calls in 2025, Wilson said deputies respond to a wide range of incidents, including computer crimes, livestock thefts, and deceased persons. Wilson also outlined the equipment patrol deputies carry each day: two sets of handcuffs, pepper spray, a firearm, a Taser, extra ammunition, a bulletproof vest and perhaps most importantly, a pen.

“Patrol is what’s seen out there, but they don’t always know what we’re doing or what it encompasses. We have a desire to get out there and really be part of the neighborhood. And because we’re neighbors too. That’s the thing. Well, I’m a cop, I’m a cop, but when I’m not, I’m a neighbor or a taxpayer or a person who’s trying to make do with what we have,” Wilson said.

Wilson said the work remains deeply meaningful to him.

“Absolutely the most enriching job I’ve ever had. That sounds cliche, but it genuinely is. I’m making a difference in somebody’s life every day I come to work. Sometimes it’s not a great difference. Sometimes it is. But we deal with so many people that are having the worst day of their life. If we can do anything to help that person get through that situation, it’s a good day,” Wilson said.

The final presentation of the evening came from Sgt. Robb McGarry of the criminal investigation division. McGarry explained that CID is responsible for collecting evidence and piecing together cases ranging from minor property damage to homicide investigations.

In addition to his CID duties, McGarry also serves as an arson investigator. He said the sheriff’s office investigates fires deemed suspicious by volunteer fire departments, as well as fatality fires.

After the presentations, classmate Jack Roe reflected on what stood out most to him.

“All you really think about is the cars that are responding to incidents, the reactive that we found out about tonight instead of all the proactive things that they do to try to make us safer in the community,” Roe said.

Those proactive efforts include staying active in the community, checking on homes and businesses while residents are out of town, conducting traffic stops, and enforcing DWI laws.

Next week, the class will get an exclusive tour of the James V. Allred Unit.