https://www.co.lavaca.tx.us/page/Sheriff

Lavaca County Sheriff's Office, 38 FM 318, Hallettsville, TX (2026)

10/23/2026

🚨 LCSO PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the promotion of Deputy Samantha Soloya to the rank of Corporal within the LCSO Patrol Division!

Corporal Soloya began her law enforcement career in January 2023 at the Calhoun County Adult Detention Center, where she served as a detention officer. In July 2023, she transitioned to a patrol deputy position with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, continuing to build her experience in law enforcement before joining the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office in August 2026.

Although Corporal Soloya has been with LCSO for a relatively short time, it didn’t take long for her strong work ethic, dedication, and enthusiasm for the profession to stand out. She is a proactive, driven deputy who takes pride in her work, approaches each day with a cheerful attitude regardless of the circumstances, and isn’t afraid to jump in and take initiative - even as the newest member of the team.

Throughout her career, Corporal Soloya has developed a strong appreciation for public service and the responsibility that comes with protecting and serving her community. She chose a career in law enforcement because she enjoys the work and values the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others, while understanding the importance of accountability and getting the job done when duty calls.

Corporal Soloya holds a Breath Test Operator Certification and is currently working toward obtaining her Intermediate Peace Officer License as part of her continued professional development.

As she takes on this new role with the LCSO Patrol Division, we are confident that her initiative, positive attitude, and commitment to the profession will continue to serve her well. Her promotion reflects the dedication and drive she brings to the job, and we look forward to seeing her continued growth and contributions to our agency.

Please join Sheriff Steven E. Greenwell and the entire Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office in congratulating Corporal Samantha Soloya on this well-deserved promotion! 👏

Thank you, Corporal Soloya, for your continued dedication to the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens we proudly serve!

10/22/2026

🚨 LCSO PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize Corporal Noe Miranda as he begins his next chapter of law enforcement service with LCSO!

Originally from Mexico City, Corporal Miranda graduated from the Victoria College Police Academy in 2000 and began his law enforcement career with the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office in October 2001 as a patrol deputy under Sheriff Robert Wurm. In 2005, he transitioned to serving as Patrol Officer for the Hallettsville Police Department.

After serving five years with the Hallettsville Police Department, Corporal Miranda returned to LCSO in August 2010.

In January 2013, he fulfilled a longtime dream of becoming a K9 handler when he was partnered with K9 Brix, a German Shepherd that was certified in narcotics detention. Together, they served Lavaca County and surrounding communities, assisted with narcotics investigations and special operations, and participated in educational programs promoting drug awareness in local school. In 2018, the team competed in the United ISD Narcotics K9 Competition in Laredo, Texas, earning an impressive 6th-place finish out of 40 skilled K9 teams. Following K9 Brix’s retirement, Noe continued his service within the LCSO Patrol Division.

Under Sheriff Steven E. Greenwell, Corporal Miranda has continued serving as a patrol deputy and assigned special duties as a Task Force Officer (TFO) within the Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Safety Verification Initiative, helping verify the safety of children released from federal custody and working to prevent trafficking and exploitation of minors.

Corporal Miranda holds a Master Peace Officer Proficiency Certificate and continues to pursue professional development through ongoing education. His dedication to law enforcement and the community he calls home is evident throughout his career.

As he continues his journey with the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, we are proud to announce his promotion to Corporal and recognize his experience, dedication, and commitment to serving others.

Please join Sheriff Steven E. Greenwell and the entire Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office in congratulating Corporal Noe Miranda on this next chapter of his law enforcement career! 👏

Thank you for your continued service and dedication to the citizens of Lavaca County!

10/22/2026

The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office joins the law enforcement community and the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office in mourning the tragic loss of Deputy Adam Sherifi.

Deputy Sherifi was fatally wounded by gunfire while assisting the Canton Police Department in serving felony warrants at a residence. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, fellow deputies, and all those grieving this tremendous loss.

We also lift up Canton Police Officer Christopher Watson, who was wounded in the same incident, and pray for his healing and a speedy recovery.

We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in law enforcement during this difficult time. 🙏

10/21/2026

🚨 PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

Sheriff Steven E. Greenwell is proud to announce the promotion of Deputy Austin Hannah to the rank of Sergeant with the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office!

Originally from the Katy/Houston area, Hannah graduated from the Wharton County Junior College Police Academy in 2016. He began his law enforcement career with the Hallettsville Police Department in November 2016, where he proudly served for eight years before joining the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office on January 1, 2025, when Sheriff Greenwell took office.

Since joining the LCSO, Hannah has served in several capacities, including patrol deputy, certified field training officer, and performing specialized duty assignments. He also serves as a Task Force Officer (TFO) with the United States Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force, which specializes in locating and apprehending high risk fugitives.

Hannah currently holds an Advanced Peace Officer Proficiency Certificate and is actively working toward his Master Peace Officer Certificate, continuing his commitment to professional growth and service.

As Sergeant, Hannah is excited to take on a greater role in mentoring and developing others throughout the agency, building on his experience as a Field Training Officer responsible for training new deputies. He looks forward to leading within the Patrol Division and drawing on his nearly ten years of law enforcement experience to shape his leadership approach. His goal is to lead from the front, set a positive example, and foster a culture of professionalism, fairness, accountability, and service to the community.

As he steps into this new leadership role within the Patrol Division, Hannah looks forward to the next chapter of his law enforcement career. He shared that the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office is home to him and that he plans to remain with the office for the remainder of his career, continuing to serve the community he has come to call home.

Sheriff Greenwell and the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office congratulate Sergeant Hannah on this well-deserved promotion. We appreciate his dedication, professionalism, and continued commitment to serving the citizens of Lavaca County.

👏 Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Austin Hannah on his promotion and wishing him continued success in his new leadership role!

10/09/2026

🚔 LAVACA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
PROACTIVE HIGHWAY INTERDICTION & INTERAGENCY PARTNERSHIPS

The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) remains committed to proactive law enforcement, highway interdiction, and strong partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies to help protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.

On October 8, 2026, an LCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop in Fayette County while participating in a joint highway interdiction operation with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

During the roadside investigation, the deputy developed information indicating that the driver, identified as Roberto Lara-Rodriguez, might be unlawfully present in the United States. Through coordination with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), authorities determined that Lara-Rodriguez was a Honduran national unlawfully present in the United States.

Authorities further reported that Lara-Rodriguez had previously been removed from the United States on three occasions. Records reviewed during the investigation reportedly reflected prior arrests and convictions involving controlled substances, ma*****na, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, assault causing bodily injury to a family member, fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, and two DWI offenses. Authorities also reported that he had previously used the names Carlos Rodriguez-Castro and Dennys Barral-Ramirez.

During the same operation, the LCSO deputy identified and referred four additional individuals to HSI and ICE for immigration-related investigation. The individuals were detained under federal authority and transferred to federal custody for further proceedings.

Although this operation occurred in neighboring Fayette County, it demonstrates the importance of strong working relationships among law enforcement agencies throughout our region. These partnerships work both ways, with neighboring agencies regularly coordinating operations and assisting one another in efforts to protect our communities, to include bringing personnel and resources to Lavaca County.

The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office is proud to work alongside local, state, and federal partners who share a commitment to professional law enforcement, public safety, and enforcement of applicable laws. Through proactive interdiction, information sharing, and coordinated enforcement efforts, we will continue working to hold offenders accountable and uphold the rule of law.

STRONG PARTNERSHIPS. PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT. COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

10/08/2026

🚨 PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

Sheriff Steven E. Greenwell is proud to announce the promotion of LCSO Jail Sergeant Andrea Eldridge to the rank of Jail Lieutenant / Assistant Jail Administrator.

This promotion recognizes not only Lt. Eldridge’s dedication to the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, but also an impressive 27-year career in corrections marked by hard work, professionalism, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.

Lt. Eldridge began her corrections career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) at the Stevenson Unit in Cuero, Texas, where she served for 13 years. While she enjoyed her career working in corrections at the state level, she ultimately decided to pursue a new path in county-level corrections.
She joined the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office, where she spent the next 10 years building her experience and advancing through the ranks. During her time there, she progressed from Jailer to Lieutenant, gaining valuable experience in all aspects of jail operations and leadership.

In 2023, Lt. Eldridge brought that experience to the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office. Since joining LCSO, she has once again demonstrated her strong work ethic, leadership abilities, and impressive skill set, serving as a Jailer, Corporal, and Sergeant before earning this latest promotion.

Lt. Eldridge holds an Intermediate Jailers Proficiency Certificate and is a certified Field Training Officer.
As Jail Lieutenant / Assistant Jail Administrator, Lt. Eldridge will serve as the second-in-command of the Lavaca County Jail, working directly under Jail Captain / Jail Administrator Matt Keller. Her new responsibilities will include assisting with the daily administration and operation of our 48-bed facility, supervising and supporting jail staff, maintaining compliance with extensive laws, policies, procedures, and reporting requirements, and helping ensure the safe, secure, and professional operation of the facility.

Running a county jail is a tremendous responsibility. Our jail operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is frequently at or near capacity. Behind the scenes is an extensive system of regulations, documentation, inspections, training requirements, inmate management procedures, staffing considerations, and countless other responsibilities that must be carefully managed every single day. These requirements are closely monitored and enforced by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, making strong leadership, attention to detail, accountability, and sound judgment essential to successful jail operations.

Lt. Eldridge says she is incredibly honored and proud to accept her promotion to Lieutenant and Assistant Jail Administrator. She describes reaching this milestone as a reflection of years of hard work, dedication, and grit.

While she is excited to take on her new role, Lt. Eldridge says she remains committed to continuously advancing her knowledge and skills, leading by example, mentoring her staff, and striving to be the best person that she can be in order to represent and serve the people of Lavaca County.
Sheriff Greenwell and the entire Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office congratulate Lt. Eldridge on this well-earned promotion and wish her continued success in her new position.

And while we are recognizing Lt. Eldridge today, we also want to take a moment to recognize the entire Lavaca County Jail staff.

Their work is often overlooked because they rarely find themselves in the public eye. But every day, every night, on weekends and holidays, these men and women report for duty inside a secure facility, working directly with offenders 24/7/365. They carry an enormous responsibility for the safety and security of the facility, their fellow employees, the inmates in their care, and ultimately the citizens of Lavaca County.

To our jail staff: We see you. We appreciate you. And we thank you for the important role you play in public safety.

Congratulations, Lt. Andrea Eldridge, on this well-deserved promotion!

10/07/2026

🚔 PROACTIVE PATROL: MORE THAN JUST TRAFFIC STOPS

What does proactive patrol mean?

For the Lavaca County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division, it means more than responding after something has already happened. It means being visible and available in our communities and on our roadways, paying attention, identifying violations and suspicious activity, and taking action when circumstances provide a lawful reason to investigate.

🚨 TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT IS PROACTIVE POLICING

We know nobody enjoys seeing red and blue lights in their rearview mirror, and our deputies don't enjoy writing tickets any more than you enjoy receiving them.

A traffic stop is an enforcement tool. Sometimes it involves a serious violation or reckless driving. Other times, a minor violation results in nothing more than a warning and a brief conversation. Most traffic stops do not result in arrests or lengthy investigations.

So why conduct them?

Because traffic enforcement promotes roadway safety, encourages voluntary compliance, identifies equipment and safety violations, and provides an opportunity to address requirements such as valid driver's licenses, insurance, child passenger safety, and other laws designed to protect motorists.

And sometimes, a routine traffic stop becomes something much more.

🔎 THE ROADWAY IS OFTEN WHERE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IS FOUND

Illegal narcotics, weapons, stolen property and other contraband don't transport themselves. People do.

A lawful traffic stop, records check, observation by a deputy, or circumstances that develop during an encounter can lead to the discovery of wanted people, missing or at-risk individuals, impaired drivers, contraband, illegal aliens, or other criminal activity.

Traffic stops are only one part of proactive patrol.

👮‍♂️ OTHER PROACTIVE PATROL BY LCSO

Our deputies conduct unsolicited security checks at businesses, schools, parking lots and other areas where trespassing, criminal mischief, theft and burglary may occur.

At school campuses throughout Lavaca County (including municipal, rural and private schools) deputies do more than run speed radar. They get out of their vehicles, walk school grounds and hallways, talk with school staff, and remain visible to students. Yes, smiles, hugs and high-fives are part of the job, too.

Deputies also investigate suspicious people and circumstances when the facts provide a lawful basis to do so, while making voluntary contacts and consensual conversations with citizens. Sometimes those encounters uncover crimes or suspicious activity. Sometimes they simply give someone an opportunity to tell law enforcement about a problem they otherwise may never have reported.

Sometimes a citizen doesn't call.

Sometimes a deputy just happens to be there.

📋 RECENT EXAMPLES OF LCSO PROACTIVE PATROL

We cannot realistically post about every traffic stop, suspicious-person investigation, security check, arrest, or piece of contraband our deputies encounter. The following is simply a snapshot of what proactive patrol looks like every day in Lavaca County.

1️⃣ U.S. 90A - SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY INVESTIGATION LEADS TO DRUG ARREST

On September 19, 2026, deputies decided to contact a female in reference to suspicious activity and suspicious circumstances around 3700 U.S. Highway 90A, Hallettsville, Texas. The subject was identified as Deborah Darland of Hallettsville, Texas.

During the encounter, Deputies obtained probable cause to search Darland’s purse which resulted in the discovery of a small plastic container containing less than one gram of clear crystalline substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine and a glass pipe commonly used to ingest narcotics.

Darland was arrested and charged with:
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 1,

10/07/2026

🚨 PUBLIC NOTICE: BE ALERT FOR PHISHING EMAILS 🚨

The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office is advising the public to be cautious of a phishing email scam that is currently circulating and may appear to come from a legitimate or trusted email address.

We have received reports of similar emails being received by law enforcement agencies, governmental organizations, and private businesses. These emails may ask the recipient to click a link or open an attachment to download a document.

⚠️ Please remember: An email can appear to come from someone you know and trust and still be malicious!

If you receive an unexpected email containing a link or attachment:

• Do not click the link or open the attachment.
• Verify the email with the sender using a different method of communication, such as a phone call or text message.
• Be especially cautious if you were not expecting the email or document.
• If you determine the email is suspicious, delete it and notify the person or organization it appears to have come from so they can take appropriate security precautions.

These types of phishing scams can spread when someone unknowingly clicks a malicious link. Once an account or email address is compromised, additional fraudulent messages may be sent to that person’s contacts, making the emails appear even more trustworthy.

📧 If you receive an email that appears to be from the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office, please do not click any links or open attachments until you have verified that the message is legitimate.

If you are unsure whether an email from our office is legitimate, please call our non-emergency number at 361-798-2121 and ask to be connected with the person who supposedly sent the email so its validity can be confirmed.

Please share this information with friends, family members, coworkers, and others who may benefit from knowing what to watch for.

When in doubt, stop and verify before you click. 🔒

10/06/2026

🚨 PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

The Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the promotion of Mental Health Deputy Brittney Keil to Sergeant of the LCSO Mental Health Unit!

Sgt. Keil has been an integral part of the creation and daily operations of the LCSO Mental Health Wellness Team. In her new role, she will continue her work serving the mental health needs of our community while taking on the added responsibility of providing oversight to the Mental Health Unit’s daily operations.

The LCSO Mental Health Unit continues to expand as mental health wellness and school safety responsibilities increase throughout Lavaca County. The unit consists of Sgt. Keil, along with Mental Health Caseworker Desmond Pulliam, School Safety Liaison Neely Yackel, and Mental Health Reserve Captain Shawn Edwards.
And we’re not done growing. LCSO anticipates adding another Mental Health Deputy in the near future to help meet the ever-increasing caseload and expand our ability to serve the residents of Lavaca County.

Sgt. Keil began her law enforcement career as a dispatcher with the Victoria Police Department in 2022. Wanting to do more than answer the calls, she attended the Victoria Police Academy and became a sworn peace officer with VPD in 2023.

She joined the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office in October 2024 and became part of the Mental Health Unit after Sheriff Greenwell established the initiative in 2025.

Sgt. Keil is a Certified Mental Health Officer and a Jail Mental Health Officer Master Trainer. She is also a Peer Support Specialist, having completed both TEEX and LEA peer support training.

Her commitment to the field has taken her to conferences and specialized mental health courses, where she continues to build her knowledge and bring new resources back to Lavaca County. Through that work, she has helped establish connections with psychiatrists, mental health facilities, dual-diagnosis rehabilitation programs, and other resources throughout South Texas.

Just as importantly, she has helped build partnerships throughout our own community including working with LCSO jail staff and inmates, adult and juvenile probation, Lavaca Medical Center, Yoakum Community Hospital, local police departments, and mental health professionals and facilities across the region.

Sgt. Keil says her philosophy is simple: if a resource is needed, she will find it... "no" isnt an option for herself or her team when there is a need in Lavaca County. That commitment is at the heart of the Mental Health Unit.

Sgt. Keil made the transition from municipal law enforcement to rural law enforcement because she wanted to have a broader reach and the opportunity to help people in a different way. While she enjoyed patrol, she found a new sense of purpose in helping individuals navigate mental health challenges and connecting them with the resources they need.

And, of course, she doesn’t do it alone.

Ollie the Deputy Doodle, Sgt. Keil’s Mental Health Therapy K9 and partner, is an important part of the work they do together.

Today’s promotion reflects the ongoing commitment of LCSO management to position our personnel and our agency to provide top-tier, efficient, and effective public safety services to the residents of Lavaca County. Most importantly, it gives us another opportunity to recognize one of our greatest resources: our staff.

Please help us congratulate LCSO Sergeant Brittney Keil on her promotion and thank her for the dedication, compassion, and commitment she brings to the residents of Lavaca County.

Congratulations, Sergeant Keil! We are proud to have you on the LCSO team!

Lavaca County Sheriff's Office

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