We are deeply saddened to announce the tragic loss of one of our own, Telecommunications Officer Rowena Speight. Yesterday was one of the hardest days for our department as our investigation of an early morning domestic violence incident resulted in the death of one of our own.
It has become clear that we must also remind drivers that the posted speed limit signs are for "ideal conditions". Ice on the road makes your car go slippy slidey into the ditch, so it's NOT ideal conditions right now. Please go slower than the speed limit during this time.
Some of you are driving like you are late to work not realizing that if you have a crash on the icy roads then you ain't making it to work! SLOW DOWN AND DRIVE TO THE ICY CONDITIONS PRETTY PLEASE WITH CHERRIES ON TOP!!
Road conditions have worsened and our road crews are unable to continue sanding at this time. This means that roads are NOT safe to drive on and it may be difficult for us to get to you if there is a collision. Please stay home and stay safe.
Hey guys. Unit 82 became the victim of the icy roads today. The officer was on his way to a call when he got stuck. In the process of getting โunstuckโ he was struck by another vehicle. Luckily, everyone is fine. We continue to stress this, PLEASE stay home.
Today, at around 1436 hrs Officers responded to two leaving the scene collisions where the suspect then fled on foot. K9 Kodi was deployed and apprehended the suspect a short distance away hiding in a back yard.
#K9Kodi
#K9srock
#K9KeepingLeanderSafe
Before the weather gets wild again we wanted to give a huge shout out & Thank You to our Public Works Dept. We have had safe and clear roads on City streets due to their hard work and diligence. They have been operating 24 hours a day to keep everyone safe. Thank You!
Chief Minton went to Glenn High School today to present Richard Hawkins, a 12-grade student, with a Chief's Coin and a certificate for providing aid to a seriously injured passenger after a recent traffic collision. Well deserved!
About 67 bazillion-trillion-million nails are scattered across US 183 near the QT (between 183A toll and San Gabriel). Please avoid the area or expect delays. Watch for crews trying to clear the roadway for you.
#LeanderTraffic
Rowena has served in the Leander Police Department as a Telecommunicator since 2016, and she will always be remembered for her bold spirit and her love of the Lord. We want to thank the Leander community for their support as we navigate through this difficult process.
Last night the Leander City Council proclaimed August 20, 2020 as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. We would like to thank our city council for their ongoing support and care they have shown us during these past several months. Our staff has always felt valued.
Thank you
Last night during the rain, Officer Solis, K9 Officer Carnley and Probationary Police Officer Pacheco came across a lady who had a flat tire. All three did their part to make sure the tire was swapped and she could continue on with her night. Great job guys!
#ServiceFirst
***Media Release 10/21/2020 10:24 PM***
We have a large police presence investigating a shots fired call in the 1300 Block of Waterfall Ave. in Leander, Texas. No injuries have been reported at this time. Surrounding residents were asked to shelter in place for safety.
Good ol' Mr. Ryan Hurst, who most of you will probably recognize as Opie from the television series "Sons of Anarchy", has made a special video just for our citizens to help us all work together to deter auto burglary and theft! Ryan...you the man, we appreciate you!
There are no reports of Ice in Leander at this time, but this is a current reading of the outside temp from one of our patrol vehicles. Some of you are driving like itโs 70 degrees with dry roads and it is not.
We would like to congratulate the officers and staff on our 300 patrol shift who received a Chiefโs coin today for apprehending a dangerous male suspect out of Bell County, who reportedly stabbed his girlfriend and was believed to be in the Leander area. Well done!
Itโs here guys, no not the 70 degree weather, but the rain/sleet mix, and when it hits the already frozen roads they will become even more dangerous (if thatโs possible). Please X1000 STAY HOME, DONโT GO OUT AND DONโT RISK IT.
To our law enforcement partners at the Bexar County Sheriffโs Department our thoughts and prayers are with you at the loss of K9 Deputy Chucky. K9 Deputy Chucky was shot and killed by a suspect last night as he was deployed to assist in the apprehension of the suspect.
Today, Chief Minton has the pleasure of presenting Ofc. Ashley Stewart with her 5-year service award. We would like to thank Ofc. Stewart for her dedication and hard work over these past 5 years. Congrats!
Several vehicle burglaries occurred this past Sunday night (11/24) in the Highlands at Crystal Falls neighborhood. If you recognize any of them, please don't reply with information, contact Ofc Smith @ Leander PD @ 512-528-2800 ext 1008 or email kasmith
@leandertx
.gov.โ
***Update 10/22/20 4:52 AM***
The suspect is now safely in custody. No victims were found inside the residence. A detailed media release will be sent out later today.
Please send all media inquiries to Lt. Wilcox at 512-528-2832 or lwilcox
@leandertx
.gov.
***UPDATE 12:19 PM***
The suspect has been located and detained by law enforcement. This investigation is still ongoing and charges are pending. We would like to thank the Travis County Sheriffโs Office for their assistance in locating the suspect.
Last night around 11:00 PM, two of our officers (a trainee and field training officer) were struck by a drunk driver in the 17700 block of Ronald Reagan Blvd. The driver was arrested for DWI. Please plan ahead and get a safe ride home. Don't ruin a life.
#drivedrunkgotojail
Please join us in wishing a very happy 4th birthday to our K9 Kodi. He was really excited about the cake with his name on it. However, that chocolate cake is for people only so we will be sure to get him a special treat for his birthday.
***Update 03/31/2021 7:05 am***
The suspect was taken into custody by the Cedar Park Police Department. It is now safe for everyone to leave their homes. The investigation is still ongoing and charges are pending. Nothing further at this time.
***Update 10:31 PM***
The shelter in place notification was sent out to a very broad area. The affected area is only the residents living near 1300 Waterfall Ave. in Leander, Texas. The suspect is believed to be contained at a residence at this time.
Good morning Leander! We have an interesting visitor in Leander today. This beautiful tortoise was found in 900 block of Washburn Dr. in Leander. If you know who the owner of this tortoise is please give us a call at 512-528-2800.
We wanted to share this special moment from yesterday's badge oath ceremony. (Picture: Ofc. Horn's wife and son pinning badge on his new uniform) Welcome to the LPD family!
Please join us in sending prayers to our friends in the Round Rock Police Department, as one of their officers was struck by a car early this morning while he was directing traffic at the scene of a collision. The officer was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
Today is the official "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day."
We would like to thank all of our brothers and sisters out there in blue who work hard every day serving their communities.
Today we had the great honor of seeing our own Officer Thomas Glenn receive the 2019 MADD Enforcement Hero Award for his efforts to stop drunk driving on the streets of Leander. Thank you Officer Glenn for all of your hard work to keep our families safe.
Huge shout out to Desert Door Texas Sotol (distillery) out of Driftwood, Tx for the donation of hand sanitizer for officers and staff! Cleaning & sanitizing products are hard to find these days & the donation to help keep our staff safe during this time is greatly appreciated!
A huge thank you to Billy McCloskey who took time out of his day to bring in brisket, sausage, beans, potato salad and utensils for our PD staff working this evening. We are truly blessed.
This October, in honor of breast cancer awareness, you will likely see Leander Police Personnel wearing pink badges and pins to show our support. Like many families, our police family has been impacted by breast cancer and we hope that you join us in raising awareness.
Flying sheets of ice from roofs of cars can be catastrophic at highway speeds. Please ensure you keep an extra following distance today if you must be out and about. You are important to us, please be safe.
Please join us in congratulating Ofc. David Wilson, who was presented with a Chief's Coin today for his extraordinary work in caring for a 4-year old special needs child who was found lost in our community. Thank you for protecting and caring for this young child. Well done!
The speed limit on Ronald Reagan has been changed from 65mph to 50mph from just north of Palmera Ridge to just north of 2243. New speed limit signs will likely go up this week marking the area!
We would like to thank all our brothers and sisters in blue across the nation, who work hard every day to keep their communities safe. Thank you for your service.
Update: Several hours after negotiations began, communication broke down between SWAT negotiators and Lawrence. The SWAT Team then deployed gas inside the residence and Lawrence surrendered to police several minutes later. He will be taken to WCSO Jail.
Small grass fire(s) in the 10000 block of 2243 (between US 183 and 183A Toll Road). All westbound lanes are closed while
@LeanderFire
works. Seek alternate routes. No structures threatened at this time and no evacuations are happening.
#LeanderTraffic
Chief Minton had the honor of presenting Ofc. Ellison with a chief's coin for going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that a stranded female on 183A had money to buy food and safe transportation home to Killeen. Thank you for serving from the heart.
We have received reports of children playing on and around ice covered retention ponds around the city. Please avoid walking on any ice that is covering any pool of water. The ice is likely thin in many areas creating a hazard. Have fun but please be safe.
The speed limit really is 60mph on 183. Some of you must have missed the huge black and white signs out here so I took a picture.
#HereIsYourWarning
#WILCOTaskForce
Last week, Sgt. Ben Girdler received his 10-year service award and Cpl. Daniel Andrews received his 5-year service award. Thank you for the time and care you have put into our community over the years.
Today, Chief Minton had the pleasure of presenting Officer Horn with a Chief's Coin for going over and beyond the call of duty to serve, mentor, and guide a young man in need. Ofc. Horn paid for a haircut, arranged a job interview, and provided transportation for this young man.
Today we honored Officer Solis, K9 Officer Carnley and Officer Pacheco with Chief's Coins for providing superior service after encountering a motorists with a flat tire. These officers changed this lady's tire in the rain and ensured that she got home safety.
Well done!
The Leander Police Department would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the family of Officer Jose Meza, as well as the members of the Burnet Police Department. Ofc. Meza was a K9 officer with Burnet PD and passed away today.
We have received calls from citizens requesting the Public Works Dept to respond to their home to shut off the water. In an effort to reduce response times, here is a video showing you how you can turn the water off without having to wait.
Please join us in welcoming the three newest members of our LPD family, Angela Richey, Dominique Ortiz, and Victoria Mendoza (left to right.) These great ladies just completed orientation and are beginning their training in our 911 Center as telecommunication officers.
We are seeing tree branches snapping all across the city due to the weight of the ice accumulating. If you have parked under a tree at your residence you might want to consider another location until this clears up.
To our media partners, we ask that you not go live with officers positions at this scene. This is an active scene and doing so could jeopardize everyone's safety. We will provide a briefing when the situation allows.
Lots of itty-bitty ghosts, goblins, pumpkins and even some unicorns are out walking the neighborhoods trick or treating! Please consider reducing your speed below the posted speed limit and watch for these children near and crossing the streets!
Please join us in welcoming our four newest police academy graduates (left to right) Officer Luke Cooper, Officer Sumeet Haar, Officer William Chiasson and Officer Aaron Larier to our LPD family. Thank you for choosing to serve in our great city!
We are asking residents to please avoid the Heritage Park subdivision area in Cedar Park (Bagdad between New Hope and Kettering area). Leander officers are currrently assisting Cedar Park Police Department.. This incident did not occur in Leander.
Leander PD has received reports of buses being passed while they are stopped, red lights flashing & loading/unloading children. Officers will be targeting these areas. Today we will be out with a large presence on Bagdad targeting violations.
#StopOnRedKidsAhead
.
Please join us in congratulating Sgt. John Vann on receiving a Chief's Coin for his hard work in recovering over $6000 in stolen property while working a recent vehicle burglary case. Well done
It was kind of nice to be able to travel the roads today at a reasonable speed. But remember all that water on the roadway from the melting snow/ice? Well, that water is starting to freeze back up and making those roads slick again. So, please use good judgment as you go out.
Our prayers go out to the family of Bell County SO Dep John Rhoden, as well as the men and women of the Bell County SO, as the mourn the loss of Dep Rhoden. Rhoden was struck and killed by a semi last night as he laid out spike strips assisting Williamson Cty SO with a pursuit.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Please join us this week as we honor fallen officers in Texas as well as across the United States.
Multiple roadways, especially elevated roadways, are covered in ice. The roads are not safe for traveling anywhere close to the speed limit. There is no possible way, with the rain, for any crews to keep up with keeping the roads de-iced, it isn't possible. Please slow down.
Thank you to all of those that helped provide information and a big shout out to the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force for locating and arresting our suspect in this case!
***MEDIA RELEASE, FATAL COLLISION INVESTIGATION 8/26/23***
Please send all media inquiries to Lieutenant John Lauden at 512-528-2948 or jlauden
@leandertx
.gov. ย Police records can be obtained by contacting the Open Record Division at 512-528-2841 or policerecords
@leandertx
.gov
What an exciting day! Today we were able to swear-in a new police officer and promote five of our officers into new leadership positions. Congratulations all!
Working a โMove Over or Slow Downโ enforcement initiative and our officers rescued this Dodge Challenger from its intoxicated driver after it was stopped for speeding.
#DontDriveImpaired
#MoveOver
or
#SlowDown
*ATTENTION* There is a large controlled burn that may be visible from the west part of the City.
This burn has been AUTHORIZED by Travis County, is under control and there is no threat to the City.
Please help us spread the word!
We recently presented Animal Services Officer Kameron Davis with a Chief's Coin for his hard work in reuniting lost pets with their owners. Our current animal to owner return rate is approximately 95%! Our Animal Services Unit is the best in the business. Well done!