PALESTINE — Thanks to the generosity of some local entities, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office now boasts a fully-outfitted crime scene van which will allow the agency to more easily work major investigations.
Last year, Palestine Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Medical Services sold the van to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office for $1.
A donation of approximately $4,500 from Anderson County Crime Stoppers followed to help equip the van with necessary items such as a laptop computer; tables and chairs; a generator; extra lighting; and other items, according to Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor.
In return, Anderson County Crime Stoppers will be permitted to advertise certain crimes on billboards attached to the sides of the van, the sheriff added.
“We’re very appreciative to the hospital and Crime Stoppers for donating their resources and money for us to have the van,” Taylor said. “It’s going to be very beneficial to our office. We would have never been able to afford something like that...Big agencies are able to buy those things, but agencies our size are not.”
The van will allow sheriff’s investigators to more easily investigate a wide range of offenses and calls, including homicides; suicides; major assault cases; shootings; and hostage situations, according to Taylor.
Formerly, investigators would haul equipment in two large duffle bags to major crime scenes, according to the sheriff. Something was always invariably left behind, he added.
“It’s never enough,” Taylor said. “There’s always trips to the sheriff’s office for this or that. Having a crime scene van, you have everything in one vehicle. It’s going to be very helpful.”
The sheriff said he plans to ride in the van during Saturday’s Dogwood Trails Parade. Following the parade, the van will be parked in the downtown area and visible to festival goers.
The unsolved murders of Josh Seals and Mary Waters are two of the crimes currently advertised by Anderson County Crime Stoppers on the van, according to the sheriff.
Anyone with information about either of those homicides is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (903) 729-TIPS (8477).
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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
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The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office boasts a fully-outfitted crime scene van which will allow the agency to more easily work major investigations. CHRISTINA STEWART/Herald-Press
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Sheriff’s Office gets crime scene van to help with investigations
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