<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=34sBal_0wA1ZvQ300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=34sBal_0wA1ZvQ300" width="1536" height="2048" ></figure>The Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office is under fire for years of operational failures, unprofessional conduct, and an alarming lack of accountability. From technical breakdowns to botched investigations, the department has faced escalating criticism, with recent events spotlighting the depth of its problems.The sheriff’s office has been grappling with a malware attack since October 2023, which has left key systems, including email, inoperable. Despite the disruption, Sheriff Bill Kitts has shown little concern, responding to inquiries with the indolent remark, “when I get around to it.” This dismissive attitude has fueled frustration in a community already uneasy with the department’s handling of public safety. The delay in resolving a crucial issue such as digital communication has only deepened mistrust, highlighting a pattern of apathy from the leadership.In addition to technical failures, the sheriff’s office has come under fire for not having a comprehensive law enforcement policy manual, relying instead on the county’s general employee handbook. This lack of established procedures has led to inconsistent operations and raised serious questions about how officers are trained and supervised, particularly in handling sensitive matters like investigations, traffic stops, and public interactions.The office’s poor handling of major criminal cases underscores these concerns. A 2018 murder investigation into the brutal killing of Marfa teacher Sophia Sullivan remains unresolved, plagued by errors from the outset. Sullivan’s young son identified his father, Danny Sullivan, as the masked attacker who stabbed her to death, but a series of investigative missteps by the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Rangers has left the case in limbo.Sheriff Kitts and Chief Deputy Jerry Walker made critical errors, including misjudging the time of death and failing to search a potential crime scene—Danny Sullivan’s trailer in Odessa—until it was too late to gather evidence. Key video footage was lost because investigators failed to extend their review beyond the hours immediately before the body was discovered. These oversights, combined with delays in interviewing witnesses and mishandling of potential leads, led to a mistrial, leaving the victim’s family in limbo and the community questioning the competence of local law enforcement.Further adding to the department’s troubling reputation, Chief Deputy Walker’s aggressive behavior during a confrontation with Big Bend Times publisher David Flash in April 2024 raised concerns about his professionalism. Flash, who had visited the courthouse to return a call, was met with threats of false arrest and yelling, despite his calm demeanor. Walker’s unprofessionalism only reinforced fears about the sheriff’s office’s ability to handle situations responsibly.The sheriff’s office has also failed to address rising thefts in the community, leaving residents increasingly frustrated with the lack of communication. Despite multiple break-ins and vehicle thefts, the department has made little effort to inform the public or provide advice on how to protect themselves. Repeated inquiries from the Big Bend Times went unanswered, with the sheriff’s office maintaining a wall of silence, even as the community sought solutions to the growing crime problem.With no social media presence and no proactive engagement, the sheriff’s office has done little to build public trust or ensure accountability. In contrast, other law enforcement agencies in rural areas use social media to keep their communities informed and connected, leaving Jeff Davis County residents feeling ignored and unsupported by those charged with protecting them.The culmination of these failures, combined with a lack of urgency or accountability from leadership, has left the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office in a state of disarray. Residents are calling for immediate reforms, including updated policies, improved communication, and better leadership to restore trust and ensure public safety. The community’s patience is wearing thin, and as these issues persist, the future of law enforcement in the county remains uncertain.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office Faces Mounting Criticism Amid Years of Mismanagement and Mishandled Investigations

The Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office is under fire for years of operational failures, unprofessional conduct, and an alarming lack of accountability. From technical breakdowns to botched investigations, the department has faced escalating criticism, with recent events spotlighting the depth of its problems. The sheriff’s office has been grappling...