San Marcos golf tournament for Texas Jail Association ends in controversy. Comal County Sheriff’s Office officials disciplined for unprofessional conduct and policy violations.

Comal County Sheriff Lieutenant Entices Subordinate During Golf Tournament

A golf tournament in San Marcos, Texas, intended to support the Texas Jail Association, ended in controversy when a heated altercation led to disciplinary action against multiple members of the Comal County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). The incident, which occurred on May 1, 2023, at the Kissing Tree Golf Course, has brought to light serious breaches of professional conduct within the CCSO.

The day began as a routine event, with law enforcement officials from various agencies gathering to play golf in an annual tournament for the Texas Jail Association. Among the participants was a team from the CCSO, including Lieutenant Danny Dufur whom also was representing the Comal County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Sergeant Chris Garza, Corrections Officer (C/O) Raquel Hill, and Transportation Officer Derrick Brazil. However, tensions escalated when a misunderstanding over a golf ball led to a series of confrontations.

According to reports, the altercation started when C/O Hill hit a tee shot that landed near the green where another team, consisting of Caldwell County Sheriff Mike Lane, Deputy Chief Jon Craigmile from Caldwell County SO, and Deputy Chief Johnny Krause from Calhoun County SO, was playing. Lt. Dufur and Sgt. Garza approached the other team to inquire about the ball, which they believed had been taken. The team where the ball was claimed to have landed stated that Lt. Dufur was confrontational, accusing them of stealing the ball and using profane language.

Sheriff Lane recounted an instance where Lt. Dufur displayed signs of hostility regarding a missing Callaway golf ball. Despite Lane and his team denying possession of the ball and presenting their own, which was marked with their initials, Dufur became visibly agitated. He promptly turned and returned to his group in a golf cart, but the incident did not conclude there. Upon rejoining his group, Dufur purportedly made a remark to C/O Hill, “I’ll pay you $25 bucks if you go and do that,” , referring to confronting the other team.

Following this, Corrections Officer Hill approached Deputy Chief Krause with a confrontational demeanor, accusing him of taking her golf ball. Krause, who had been enjoying a round of golf with his colleagues, was taken aback by Hill’s aggressive approach. He identified himself and stated that he did not have her ball. However, Hill continued to press the issue, refusing to back down. When asked for her name, she retorted with a sharp, “What’s yours?” and refused to provide her own identification, which is a direct violation of CCSO policy.

Deputy Chief Jon Craigmile witnessed the exchange and noted Hill’s refusal to provide her name when asked. He stated that despite the tension, he and his colleagues tried to de-escalate the situation by showing their golf balls and maintaining a calm demeanor. Craigmile’s account underscores the unnecessary escalation brought about by Hill’s and Dufur’s actions.

Retired Deputy Tim Quintana, now a Regional Sales Manager for Southern Health Partners, was also present during the incident. Quintana provided an audio statement, describing the behavior of Dufur and his team as unprofessional.

Further inquiry uncovered the presence of alcohol at the tournament, and all CCSO team members confessed to consuming it. While they refuted being intoxicated, it is plausible that the influence of alcohol could have played a role in the aggressive behavior displayed during the incident.

The investigation, led by Captain Garry W. Noegel, concluded that Lt. Dufur, Sgt. Garza, and C/O Hill had violated several CCSO General Manual Policies, particularly those related to professional conduct and identification procedures. The findings indicated that Lt. Dufur’s actions, including his refusal to provide identification and his encouragement of Hill’s aggressive behavior, were in direct violation of CCSO policies.

Lt. Dufur, who also acts as a representative for the Comal County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, was issued a two-day suspension without pay and placed on six months’ probation, despite soliciting a subordinate to provoke a situation in clear contradiction of his leadership responsibilities. It is noteworthy that he did not face the most severe disciplinary measures for his actions, which were deemed a breach of professional conduct and brought discredit to the CCSO. Dufur was reminded of his duties as a leader within the organization and the paramount importance of upholding professional standards both on and off duty.

Sergeant Chris Garza, despite not being the primary aggressor, was disciplined for his involvement in the incident. Garza was issued a formal letter for his failure to de-escalate the situation and for not upholding the expected professional standards. The disciplinary action taken against Garza was warranted due to his participation in the initial confrontation and his inadequate intervention.

Corrections Officer Hill, whose combative demeanor and reluctance to disclose her identity were pivotal to the altercation, was issued a three-day suspension without pay and placed on one year of probation. Hill, seemingly accepting Lt. Dufur’s offer, received the most stringent disciplinary measures. Hill’s behavior was deemed a violation of CCSO policies, casting a negative light on the department and exacerbating the confrontation.

Disclaimer

The content provided in this publication is for educational and informational purposes only. The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News strives to deliver accurate and impactful stories. However, readers are advised to seek professional legal counsel and guidance for their specific legal inquiries and concerns. The publication does not assume any responsibility for actions taken by individuals based on the information presented.

Additionally, while every effort is made to ensure the reliability of the information, the publication does not warrant the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the content. Readers are encouraged to verify any legal information with official sources and to use their discretion when interpreting and applying the information provided.

Couple of Our Other Reads

You may be interested in our publishing on a retired Texas DPS Trooper obtaining employment with the Comal County Sheriff’s Office after allegedly assaulting his prior coworker.

Or you may find our publishing on a recent in-custody death of a Comal County inmate of interest.

Follow Us on Social Media

If you are interested in staying updated on matters about your government in Texas and other important stories, trust The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News to provide reliable information that matters to you. You can follow us on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, Reddit, YouTube, Tumblr, and LinkedIn to stay connected and informed.

FACEBOOK: TheHawksEyeNews
INSTAGRAM: Hawk_s_Eye_C_and_N
X: TheHawksEyeNews
REDDIT: TheHawksEyeCN
YOUTUBE: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News
TUMBLR: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News
LINKEDIN: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News