ECSO Explorers take second place overall honors at state competition

Submitted photo.

Front row, from left: Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Lt. Ross McRee of Midlothian, Explorer Remigio Gomez of Waxahachie, Explorer Allison Bush of Ennis, Explorer Sara Segura of Waxahachie, Explorer Angela Duncan of Ennis. Back row: Advisor Arnold Aguilar, Explorer Matthew Aguilar of Waxahachie, Explorer Capt. Gage Adams of Waxahachie, Explorer Sgt. Isiah Bias of Waxahachie, Explorer Tristan McQueen of Italy, Explorer Everett Bias of Waxahachie, Explorer Cpl. Noel Campbell of Midlothian and Assistant Advisor Hunter Barnes.

ELLIS COUNTY — The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Post 106 took second place overall honors out of 76 teams entered at the 27th annual TLEEAA State Competition, which took place July 28-31 at the University of Texas at Arlington. This is the fourth year in a row that Post 106 has placed in the top three overall standings out of all posts and teams competing.

The Sheriff’s Explorers took two, four-member teams to the competition, which included team scenarios to work through and individual skills tests, including bike riding, vehicle cone course and physical agility. Post 106’s Explorers who were not competing participated in the competition by serving as scenario actors. Each team that entered participated in eight scenarios drawn from amongst 16 scenarios offered in the schedule.

"These Explorers have been practicing and looking forward for this event," ECSO Explorer Advisor Arnold Aguilar said. "I could not ask for a better group of young men and women. I have always told them that they are the ones who make this post what it is and my only request to them was for them to do their best and have a great time."

ECSO Explorer Team B, which was composed of Lt. Ross McRee, Sgt. Isaiah Bias, Explorer Tristan McQueen and Explorer Remigio Gomez, received the following awards in the scenario competitions en route to placing as the second overall team:

• first place – felony traffic stop
• second place – arrest, search and seizure
• second place – gang activity
• second place – bomb threat
• second place – officer down/rescue
• third place – intoxicated driver

"I am very proud of these Explorers for giving their best and they continue to make us proud. I have said to them on a regular basis, ‘it is all about team work,’ and they proved that and understand it is a team effort and worked well together," advisor Aguilar said.

In the scenario competitions, ECSO Explorer Team A, which was composed of Capt. Gage Adams, Cpl. Noel Campbell, Explorer Matthew Aguilar and Explorer Everett Bias, received the following awards:

• first place – robbery in progress
• second place – domestic crisis
• third place – intoxicated driver
• third place – arrest, search and seizure

"These young men and women continue to amaze us all," advisor Aguilar said. "I could not ask for a better group to work with. They continue to follow the example of excellence already set by law enforcement in Ellis County."

The final top five overall team placings were Coppell Police Department Post 130, first place; Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Post 106, second place; Richardson Police Department Post 761, third place; Plano Police Department Post 911, fourth place; and Houston Police Department Post 3203, fifth place.

"Our Explorers have always looked forward to the TLEEA State Competition and this one was no exception," advisor Aguilar said. "These young men and women have always given their best. I can say that they all work together and get the job done. I cannot express in words how proud I am to be a part of this amazing group of young men and women. The Ellis County community should be proud of these young men and women and how they represented our county."

Additional honors received by Post 106 included $750 scholarships to Explorers Gage Adams, Noel Campbell and Ross McRee. Adams also took second place honors in the individual physical agility competition. Participating in the competition as scenario actors were Explorers Sara Segura, Allison Bush and Angela Duncan.

"I am very proud of our Explorers, who continue to set a standard for the program," Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown said. "It doesn’t matter whether they’re competing, doing a community service project or training on a new skill. All we ever ask of them is that they give their best – and they do that every time. The trophies are nice but the life skills they are learning and putting to use are what will lead them to success throughout their lives."

For more information on the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Exploring program, contact Officer Arnold Aguilar by email at arnold.aguilar@co.ellis.tx.us or by calling 972-825-4915. The Post’s website is www.ecsoexplorers.com.