Johnny Milwood, Investigator NBPD
Judie Townsend, CPS
Kristi Kirkwood, CACD
January Partner Spotlight ~ Johnny Millwood
Johnny Millwood is the Lieutenant at New Boston Police Department, where he has worked for the past 5 years. Lt. Millwood has been a Peace Officer for 25 years and currently holds a Texas Master Peace Officer License, as well as TCOLE Instructor, TCOLE Firearms Instructor, and TCOLE Mental Health Officer. Before Lt. Millwood began with New Boston PD he was a lake patrol/rescue & recovery diver on Lake Bob Sandlin. Lt. Millwood also served as Adjunct Instructor for Northeast Texas Police Academy until 2017. The Children's Advocacy Center has worked very closely with Lt. Millwood on crimes against children, and we are very grateful to have him as such an asset to our MDT team!
Q. What accomplishments are you most proud of?
A. I am most proud that I'm in a position to help children in need.
Q. If you could chose your own nickname, what would it be?
A. John, it's what my mom use to call me.
Q. If given a chance, what would you like to be for a day?
A. I would like to have the power to heal people of their illnesses.
Q. What TV show is your guiltiest pleasure?
A. Forged in Fire on the History Channel.
Q. Would you rather live for a week in the past, or in the future? Why?A. I'd like to live for a week in the past during Christmas time, so I could spend time with relatives who have passed away.
February Partner Spotlight ~ Judie Townsend
Judie Townsend is a Special Investigator for Child Protective Services where she has worked for the past 10 and a half years. Prior to working with CPS, Judie began her long career in 1990 working for the communications department of the Cass County Sheriffs Office, followed by joining the Atlanta Police Department in 1995. In 1996, Judie enrolled in the Northeast Texas Police Academy and began her law enforcement career with the Seven Points Police Department in 2000 and quickly became promoted to Sergeant. A few years later Judie transferred to Gun Barrel PD and began working in the CID Department where she worked alongside CPS in crimes against children cases. This experience led Judie to her current position of Special Investigator with CPS where she is still working today. Judie has spent her entire career fighting for her community and abused children and has earned a great deal of respect from her colleagues. We are incredibly lucky and grateful to work alongside Judie in fighting crimes against children in our area. You simply could not ask for a more experienced and passionate investigator when dealing with these sensitive types of cases and our community values her hard work and dedication to our children.
Q. People would be surprised if they knew:
A. At the age of 9 years old I recorded an album in Nashville, TN.
Q. What would your pet say about you if asked for a reference?
A. That I am loyal and I have a big heart when it comes to taking care of them and others.
Q. What are three career lessons you've learned thus far?
A. 1) If you make a mistake, own up to your mistake and learn by them to strengthen your ability and skills to become successful in your career.2) Everything is not always black or white. An individual needs to keep an open mind, listen and explore all options available for the circumstances.3) Believe in yourself.
Q. Which would you pick: Being world-class attractive, a genius, or famous for doing something great? Why?
A. I would have to say being famous for doing something great. In my younger years I wanted to do something in my life that would include helping others. I hoped through my experiences, knowledge, and skills that I would become a positive role model for others to follow. If we lead by example, this sets the foundation for our younger generation to succeed.
Q. If you were President, what is the first thing you would do?
A. If I were President, I would first focus on creating laws, programs and resources that will help battle the epidemic problems with human trafficking. Not only is trafficking affecting our nation, it is affecting our states, towns, and local communities. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, they receive more calls from Texas than any other state in the US. 15% of those calls are from the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
March Partner Spotlight ~ Kristi Kirkwood
Kristi is currently a Senior Investigator with the Crimes Against Children Division of the Arkansas State Police. Kristi attended college at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR and after graduation she began work for the Texas Department of Family and Protective services in Texarkana, TX as an investigator for Child Protective Services (CPS). Kristi was offered a position as an investigator for the Crimes Against Children Division of the Arkansas State Police in 2011 and was promoted to Senior Investigator in 2015. Kristi is married to Andy, with whom she shares 3 kids, Jonathan, Kaden and Blakely and a Yorkie named Lilly. Kristi is an extremely hard worker, regularly visiting the Texarkana Children's Advocacy Center to have forensic interviews conducted to aid in the investigation of her cases.
Q. As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?
A. In elementary school, I wanted to be a teacher up until I went to Seaworld and decided I was definitely supposed to be an animal trainer and ride on Dolphins and hang out with Walruses instead!
Q. What is the #1 most played song on your iPad?
A. I have a LOT of favorites! Mostly country music and especially Blake Shelton!
Q. What accomplishments are you most proud of?
A. I am most proud of my kids and being a mom and step-mom!Q. Who would play you in a movie of your life?A. At home, Jennifer Lawrence or Kristin Wiig! Mostly because they are hilarious. At work, Mariska Hargitay because who doesn't want to be Olivia Benson?Q. What is the best piece of advice you've received?
A. I have been fortunate to have received and continue to receive a lot of good advice over the years. One thing I have been told and sometimes have to tell myself on a daily basis is to do what you can do today and what you can't get done get up and keep working at tomorrow. Anyone who chooses this field as career knows that it is a calling and that it can be trying, overwhelming, and about every other emotion you can think of at times. Sometimes, it can feel as if it is you fighting against the world and you just have to step back, take a breath, and realize that all that matters is that you get back up and keep going tomorrow.
Cathy Cason, Investigator Cass County Sheriff's Office
Partner Spotlight ~ Cathy Cason, Inv. Cass County Sheriff's Office
Cathy began her career at Jefferson Police Department in 1995, and a few years later in 1997 Cathy began working for the Marion County Sheriff's Office where she worked until 2005. In 2005, Cathy was hired with the Cass County Sheriff's Office, where she was promoted to Investigator in 2013 and still works today. Cathy is married to Frank Cason, Chief Deputy of Marion County Sheriff's Office, and the two of them have three children together. Cathy is looking forward to retirement in 2023 (she notes this is in 1998 days). Cathy has worked tirelessly over her long career in Law Enforcement, seeing a lot of child abuse cases as an Investigator with CCSO as well as many other types of crimes.
Q. What do you think is the greatest invention of all time?
A. The greatest invention of all time is the chocolate bar! I am a stress eater.
Q. What accomplishments are you most proud of?
A. I assisted in a Capital Murder case and wrote a Search Warrant for a penis, but when the prosecuting attorney at the time told me I would never get a Judge to sign it that made me more determined. Not only did the Judge sign it, but praised me for the ability of not giving up on a case.
Q. If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would it be?
A. The Charlie Brown theme song! (But Heathens is my ringtone)
Q. People would be surprised if they knew:
A. I am a very shy person.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
A. Always treat everyone the way you would want to be treated. And if you get complaints in Law Enforcement, that means you are doing your job.
Jesus Coronado, Sgt. Det Hope PD
Partner Spotlight ~ Sgt Det. Jesus Coronado, Hope PD
Jesus Coronado began his career in Law Enforcement in 2001 and was promoted to detective 2 years later in 2003. Det. Coronado was promoted to Sergeant Detective at Hope Pd in 2012. During his 17 year career in Law Enforcement, Sgt Det. Coronado has worked every type of case from simple theft to homicide, and currently works mainly sexual assault crimes although he still assists in all other types of crimes & cases. "I really enjoy my job and all my co workers are easy to work with. The highlight of my life is knowing that the Lord put me in a position to make sure there is justice for our children. Every time I sit in court and hear the Jury real aloud (Guilty), I smile inside because I know I am here for a reason", said Sgt Det. Jesus Coronado. Jesus was born in McAllen in Texas in 1970, but moved to Arkansas in 1990. He currently resides in Arkansas with his family and mother, who he cares for. Jesus is married to his wife Heather, with whom he has four children with: Alex (22), Caitlyn (20), Austin (18), and Xander (7). Jesus attends Garrett Memorial Baptist Church in Hope and has served on the school board for 9 years, currently holding the position of Vice President. In his spare time Jesus enjoys hunting, fishing, cooking outdoors, camping and most of all spending time with his family.
Q. What is #1 most played song on your iPad?
A. "Simple Man", Shinedown
Q. As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?
A. An Investigator. Always wanted to solve crimes.
Q. What would you do if you were invisible for the day?
A. Rob a bank! (KIDDING) I would play jokes and scare people all day, I love pranks!
Q. People would be surprised if they knew:
A. How much faith I have had in Christ since I was a teenager. At 16 I got my first tattoo of Jesus holding a cross on one arm, and the other arm is a cross with the words "In memory of Christ".
Q. What is the best piece of advice you've received?
A. Give your worries and life to the Lord.
Chris Sutherland, Investigator BCSO
Partner Spotlight ~ Chris Sutherland BCSO Inv.
Chris Sutherland has been with the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office for 7 years. Before moving to CID in January 2017, he was a night shift Patrol Deputy, serving as a Field Training Officer and OIC. He holds a Master Peace Officer License through TCOLE and is a certified Intoxilyzer Operator. He is a member of the BCSO Hostage Negotiator Team and holds an M.S. Ed in Counseling from Duquesne University.In addition to his work in Law Enforcement, Sutherland is a PADI - Master Scuba Instructor and is a UCI certified Master Underwater Criminal Investigator. He is a member of the Bowie County Dive Team, serving as the team’s Training Coordinator and Dive Safety Officer. Chris was born and raised near Pittsburgh, PA (and is a die-hard/lifetime Steelers fan). He and his wife Donna, have been married 42+ yrs. and have two grown daughters: Melissa, married to Christopher “Rufio” Thach and Molly, married to Zachary Feaselman. The Sutherlands have two grandchildren: Bianca Thach, age 3 and Xander Thach, age 10 mos. Both of their daughters recently moved to California from Hawaii, where they lived for several years after their parents moved back to the mainland. One thing that many don’t know about Inv. Sutherland, is that in addition to working for the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office he is an Ordained Minister and has served as pastor of the Texarkana First Church of the Nazarene since 2009. He has pastored over 31 years and has served literally all over the country, including Honolulu, HI. “I always feel a special connection to the Apostle Paul who was also bi-vocational, working as a tentmaker by trade in addition to preaching”. Before entering Law Enforcement later in life, he worked while pastoring churches as a construction electrician for 20+ yrs. and also as a Scuba Instructor.
Q. What would your pet say about you if asked for a reference?
A. He tells everyone, “I tolerate those dogs” (But he’s really a big softie)
Q. What accomplishments are you most proud of?
A. Daughters: Melissa Joy, 37 & Molly Beth, 34.
Q. People would be surprised if they knew?
A. I use to run marathons and have played guitar 40+yrs.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you've received?
A. Surrender your life to Christ
Q. What is the #1 most played song on your iPad?
A. Any classic rock... Clapton, Hendrix, Beatles, Dylan, Eagles
Q. What is the most heartwarming thing you’ve ever seen?
A. Holding my granddaughter for the first time.
Q. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
A. Spend time in a third world country to see how cushy our lives are in this country/culture.