Brenham Police – News and Reports on Officers
Brenham and Police Department
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Brenham Texas
Deputy Sheriff Left Inmate in Hot Van, Then Accidentally Discharged His Gun a Week Later
Brenham, Texas – Deputy Billy Rumke of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office resigned after two concerning incidents — leaving an inmate in a hot transport van for two hours and then a week later accidentally discharging a firearm inside the department’s restroom. The inmate was unharmed, but both incidents prompted internal review and ultimately led to Rumke’s resignation.
COURTHOUSE-IAD-2025-003_Redacted-10.23.25-5More records here: Washington County Sheriff’s Department
Washington County Jail Cited for Non-Compliance by State Inspectors
Sheriff Trey Holleway has received his first official notice of non-compliance from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). The Washington County Jail in Brenham, Texas, was added to the TCJS list of non-compliant facilities following a special inspection on May 27, 2025. The official notice was issued on May 28, 2025.
According to the TCJS inspection report, the facility failed to meet state standards for inmate supervision. Inspectors found that staff exceeded the 60-minute minimum requirement for face-to-face observations, a violation of state jail operation standards.
Washington County, Sheriff’s Department Sued Over Inmate Suicide
washington-county-sheriffA federal lawsuit filed on February 12 in Austin accuses Washington County and its Sheriff’s Department of violating the constitutional rights of Cameron Pritchett, a 31-year-old man who died by suicide at the Washington County Jail in 2019. The suit, brought by Pritchett’s family, alleges that jail officials failed to provide adequate medical and mental health care and did not protect him despite knowing about his serious mental health issues and suicide risk. The complaint also states that inmates were allowed to cover their cell windows with blankets, preventing proper monitoring. Pritchett had been jailed there before, and staff were aware of his history and condition, according to the family’s attorney.
Washington County Attorney Delays Release of Public Records Despite Attorney General Order
Washington County Attorney Renee Mueller is delaying the release of public records that the Texas Attorney General has already ordered her to make public.
Mueller had asked the Attorney General for permission to withhold Washington County Sheriff’s Office records from the public. The Attorney General denied that request, ruling that the records must be released. Under Texas state law, agencies have 30 days to comply with such a ruling.
However, out of more than 200 records requests we’ve made across the state, Mueller’s office is the only agency to take the full 30 days allowed by the state. Every other Texas agency we’ve dealt with has released requested records within two or three business days after receiving an Attorney General decision.
This raises an important question:
Why doesn’t County Attorney Renee Mueller value transparency and public accountability in law enforcement?
In a related matter, Mueller also declined to file criminal charges against Brenham police officer Kevin Mertz, who was accused of lying on a police report.
Lee County Sheriff Arrested on DWI Charge
GIDDINGS, TX — Garrett Christian Durrenberger, the sheriff of Lee County, was arrested early Sunday morning in Brenham, Texas, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Durrenberger was booked into the Lee County Jail around 6:45 a.m. Sunday and was released shortly after 8:15 a.m.
Joseph Merkley the safety coordinator with Brenham ISD admits he sexually harassed a woman
Now working around children at Brenham ISD, Officer Joseph Merkley admits to sexually harassing a woman.
Joseph Merkley was being investigated for sexual harassment. Officer Merkley told the police chief that he was a victim of sexual harassment.
Merkley acknowledged that it was he who was making inappropriate comments of a sexual nature to a woman.
All text messages and emails were destroyed, Merkley said to cover his ass. Destroying government records is a crime.
Ex-officer Merkley is now a coordinator of safety and security officer at the Brenham school district.
Brenham-Merkley-sexOfficer Kevin Mertz Admits That He Lied On the Police Report
Brenham Texas – Kevin Mertz had a dispute concerning Officer Mayo, a member of the Brenham Police Department.
There was a second woman who was secretly involved with Mertz at the time he was in a relationship with Mayo, who was at Mertz’s home.
At the trial, Kevin Mertz admitted to initiating physical contact in the dispute with Mayo. Mertz said that he had never taken away Mayo’s permission to come into his home.
Officer Mertz admitted that he lied that he was calling 911, he admitted that Mayo only tried to stop him from making the phone call when Mayo he believed he was calling her mother.
Mertz admitted to trying to get the charges against Mayo dropped on the basis that he lied in the police report to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Why didn’t County Attorney Renee Mueller file charges against Kevin Mertz for giving a false police statement?
Police officers bargaining with the badge not to go to prison
Police officers across Texas, hundreds of law enforcement officers have permanently surrendered their peace officer license in the past four years. And, in almost every case, the officers used their license as a bargaining tool by agreeing to surrender it as part of a deal to avoid jail or prison.
Former Brenham Police Chief Hired by Waco ISD Despite Controversial Exit
Police Chief Craig Goodman, formerly of the Brenham Police Department, has been named the new police chief for the Waco Independent School District.
Before his time at SFA, Goodman led the Brenham Police Department from 2015 to 2017, following more than 25 years with the Pasadena Police Department.
Over 600 personnel records obtained by KBTX reveal that Goodman was forced to resign from his position in Brenham after two years of poor performance evaluations and multiple complaints. Documents from Brenham’s human resources department cite accusations of mismanagement, low departmental morale, and personal attacks on an officer’s character as reasons for his departure.
Was Officer Joe Merkley really terminated from the Brenham police department?
Brenham police officer Joe Merkley, now a former police officer. Joe Merkley was accused of Fraud, Fraudulent Abuse of older Individuals, and/or potential policy violations. See the document below.
Usually, when an officer is about to be fired, the police chief or sheriff generally allows the officer to resign. As we know, they continued to get hired at other agencies again and again and again.”
Joe Merkley is now a Coordinator of the Safety and Security Department at the Brenham school district.
brenham-police-Merkley joesph-merkley-sexDant Lange is No Longer with The Department Due To Police Misconduct
Dant Lange was with the Brenham police department for over 20 years
Lange and Trey Gully were corrupt cops who watched each other’s backs.
The reasons Dant Lange no longer serves and protects the citizens? Abusive, inconsiderate, and inflammatory language toward a civilian – loss of police property.
There was an incident in 2021 where he failed to take appropriate action during a traffic stop involving a driver openly admitting to having marijuana, failure to obey a direct order by the chief of police, interference with several criminal cases, policy violations, including harassment and creating a hostile work environment, and racial profiling.
Complaints filed against Brenham officers
Brenham-6Complaints filed on Brenham police officers’ sexual harassment, illegals searches, privacy policy, official misconduct and more!
Officer David Dudenhoeffer shows his big balls to a female officer
David Dudenhoeffer, formally of the Brenham, Texas Police Department, was traveling to a police training class with a female police officer. On the way to the training class, Dudenhoeffer exposed himself and said he had big balls and asked the female officer if she wanted to touch them.
Not the brightest person? You can now become a police officer
The Dallas Police Department had been shrinking for years, losing more officers than it hired as competition for recruits intensified.
By the fall of 2024, the shortage grew so severe that voters approved a measure requiring the department to maintain a force of 4,000 officers—hundreds more than its peak strength in 2010.
To meet that mandate, the department launched a new recruiting strategy: dropping the requirement that applicants have college credits.
Research suggests that higher education can have benefits in policing—college-educated officers are often found to use less force, receive fewer complaints, and write more thorough reports. Still, some police researchers caution that these findings aren’t conclusive, and easing education standards could make law enforcement more accessible at a time when college costs continue to rise.
Emil “Trey” Gully sexually harassed female police officers for decades
Sexually harassing female officers.
The City of Brenham dislikes people with disabilities working for the city
Brenham Welcomes New Cadet from the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Academy
Officer L.V. (name withheld) joined the Brenham Police Department after completing 752 hours of training.
Shortly after beginning service, Officer L.V. alleged discrimination by the City of Brenham and the Brenham Police Department under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
After serving 134 days as a Brenham police officer, Officer L.V. filed a lawsuit against the city. The case was settled, with the City of Brenham agreeing to pay $20,000 to Officer L.V.
Deputy Involved in Accidental Discharge at Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Billy Ruemke accidentally discharged their weapon inside the sheriff’s office. Holleway said the incident occurred in a secure area and only resulted in property damage.
Ruemke received discipline in the form of time off without pay, scheduled for remedial training. Holleway said instances of this nature typically carry a suspension of two to three days, adding that the employee has completed that suspension.
A 45-year career in law enforcement Ruemke couldn’t handle a firearm safely. Ruemke ended up resigning.
Brenham police officers were required to retake a class on the U.S. Constitution
BRENHAM, Texas — The Brenham Police Department recently held a mandatory training session on the U.S. Constitution for all officers after internal assessments determined that some members lacked sufficient understanding of constitutional principles.
Department officials say the training was designed to reaffirm the rights of citizens and ensure that officers follow proper legal procedures during enforcement and investigations.
According to the department, the initiative underscores their commitment to upholding constitutional protections—such as due process, search and seizure rules, free speech and assembly rights—while conducting law-enforcement activities. The training aims to reduce risks of civil-rights violations and enhance public trust.
Chief of Police stated that officers took an oath to “support and defend” the Constitution, and the new training is intended to align everyday practices with that commitment. It also comes amid growing calls nationwide for enhanced education of law-enforcement personnel on constitutional law and civilian rights.
The City of Brenham Faces Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit
The City of Brenham has been named in a federal civil rights lawsuit filed under Section 1983, along with several of its police officers — Kelvin Raven, Tina Bruno, LeDarion Jenkins, and Ashley Batson.
The suit alleges violations of the First and Fourth Amendments, including claims of police retaliation, all reportedly captured on video.
Sources indicate that former Police Chief Lloyd Powell has admitted to aspects of the allegations following the release of a video that surfaced.
An investigation by the Texas Rangers reportedly confirmed both the civil rights violations and multiple breaches of departmental policy. Their findings also state that former Chief Powell failed to hold his officers accountable for their actions.
Police officers across Texas, hundreds of law enforcement officers have permanently surrendered their peace officer license in the past four years. And, in almost every case, the officers used their license as a bargaining tool by agreeing to surrender it as part of a deal to avoid jail or prison.
Police News: On Police and Brenham Department Police Reports
Police News Brenham Police Department Police Report
Questions Surround Early Law Enforcement History of Officer Ronnie Jackson
On his Brenham PD application, Jackson specifically requested that the department not contact the College Station Police Department as a reference. Such a request is highly unusual in law enforcement hiring, where reference and background checks from previous agencies are routine and expected. The decision raises questions about Jackson’s separation from College Station PD and what feedback that department might have provided.
Jackson listed his reason for leaving College Station PD as being “unhappy with his supervisors,” a vague explanation that leaves much to interpretation. The lack of detail makes it unclear whether the departure was voluntary or related to performance or disciplinary issues.
Jackson’s first job with the College Station Police Department lasted only three months. Such a brief tenure raises questions about whether he successfully completed his probationary period, though no official documentation has been made public to confirm the circumstances of his departure.
Brenham Police Accountability
Brenham Police Accountability Facebook
POLICE CORRUPTION
Police corruption is the abuse of police authority for personal or financial gain, ranging from minor favors to systemic criminal behavior. It erodes public trust, undermines the rule of law, and can have devastating effects on individuals and communities
Corruption can be categorized by the scale and nature of the misconduct:
Corruption of authority: The misuse of a position of authority for personal benefit. This can include taking small gratuities like free meals or discounts in exchange for favoritism.
Extortion and bribery: In extortion, an officer uses threats to demand money or favors. In bribery, a civilian offers an officer money or favors for preferential treatment, such as avoiding a ticket or an arrest.
Internal payoffs: Practices within a department where promotions or favorable assignments are bought and sold.
Brenham News
Brenham News.
Perjury: Lying under oath during investigations or court proceedings to protect other officers or secure a conviction.
The “frame-up”: Planting or fabricating evidence to ensure the conviction of a suspect, particularly in drug cases.
Noble cause corruption: Engaging in illegal or unethical behavior for what an officer believes is a good outcome, based on the belief that “the ends justify the means”.
Abuse of authority: This broad category includes police brutality, sexual assault, harassment, false imprisonment, and conducting unlawful searches and seizures.
Abuse of authority: This broad category includes police brutality, sexual assault, harassment, false imprisonment, and conducting unlawful searches and seizures.
Internal payoffs: Practices within a department where promotions or favorable assignments are bought and sold.
Noble cause corruption: Engaging in illegal or unethical behavior for what an officer believes is a good outcome, based on the belief that “the ends justify the means”.
Abuse of authority: This broad category includes police brutality, sexual assault, harassment, false imprisonment, and conducting unlawful searches and seizures.
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Police Mission Statement:
To protect and serve the citizens and visitors of Brenham with Integrity and transparency.
Vision Statement:
To honorably serve and protect all segments of the city of Brenham’s diverse community.
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Brenham Police Accountability.
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