FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 NAVARRO COUNTY SHERIFF HAROLD PITTS “LEPOLEON” I had many experiences with Harold Pitts whom I had known for a number of years going back before he became a Deputy Sheriff for Sheriff Rufus Pevehouse. I first knew him when he worked for D.P. Frost as a dozer operator and a good one. He went into law enforcement before all the so called training and education available today. You needed common sense, and knowledge of your people and the ability to survive which Pitts was blessed with. One of our mutual experiences that first comes to mind was involving the brother of well known Navarro Co. criminal, arrested and charged with the night time burglary of Ivy’s Dry Goods in Fairfield. Charged after a high speed chase and arrest with his accomplice identifying the brother. The next day while searching the suspects home in Corsicana with a search warrant along with brother of our arrested suspect we will call Lepoleon. Looking thru a large clothes closet with new men’s suits of every description hanging with no ID on them I remarked I wished I had a wardrobe like that. Very loudly Lepoleon remarked “If your would get off your ---- and quit playing police you might amount to something” I did not respond with an answer as felt my time would come someday. After this Deputy Pitts had occasion to arrest Lepoleon by himself, he handcuffed him and placed him in the front passenger seat of his patrol car not anticipating and problem he walked around to get in. Lepoleon slid into the driver’s side, put the vehicle in gear and tried unsuccessfully to run over Deputy Pitts. Some time after this while in the Navarro Co. Sheriffs Office which in the Courthouse then Deputy Pitts advised me had a warrant on Lepoleon and would I like to go with him to serve it which I did. We finally located him driving alone in a very remote area of Navarro Co. When he realized who it was and thought it pay back time he turned several different colors could hardly talk and I think wet his pants. Deputy Pitts and I both couldn’t keep from laughing we were so amused. We had both received satisfaction and had never done anything. I saw members of the family over the years but never heard or saw Lepoleon again. I think he thought he mighty lucky that day and probably was. *** From the Original Sheriffs Report l974 Extra large jury panel in for trial of former public official charged with abuse of office with not guilty plea entered. Jury panel selected and some testimony heard. Next day defendant changed plea and found guilty and sentence to 10 years in TDC which probated, fine of $5,000.00 plus restitution on $5,096 to be paid the County. This case only one of 270 cases found by the auditors, each a felony. Freestone Co. well represented by Co. Att. Gage in this matter who did a tremendous amount of work preparing and handling this case. Motel call 2am where young woman with small child left by men when she wouldn’t cooperate, subjects located and decided it easier to carry her back to Dallas than spend the night with us. DWI lucked out and ran out of gas before deputy got to him. Young girls held recently as runaways asked if wanted to see visiting minister replied they didn’t need to see preacher as Sheriff only one that could help them.. Slap jailed DWI off big road advised by Dallas PD subject wanted had killed one man, seriously injured wife and another man. Divorce papers and restraining order served on 71 year old man. Reported DWI found to be young mother and 5 children upset about split with husband. Deputy called on to climb ladder and awaken children sleeping on second floor of house parents locked out of. Dudes in Wortham in old red station wagon trying to work a pigeon drop. Weekend complaint on dead horse thrown in ditch off bridge on public road creating health problem. Out early Sunday morning on mans report he shot and killed another during night, just too much cheap wine and seeing boogers. Call 4am to Streetman on youngsters on motor cycles messing with fire truck and leaving lights on. Call from wife returned from out of town visit unexpectedly, husband had company that wife said sounded like a horse when went out back door with husband running turning on washing machine and never washed a rag before in his life. Fred Marberry famous relief pitcher with the Washington Senators who was raised in the Israel, Streetman and Kirven areas laid to rest after fatal stroke. A real gentleman and friend. Female prisoner to doctor with possible social disease. Reserve Deputy’s have new patrol car bought and paid for without expense to County. Reported DWI found just boy friend trying to teach to drive or sumpin. Husband left wife in service station restroom, didn’t miss till deputy stopped him. Polygraph Operator J.D. Williams fixing to test young woman on reported theft of $700 from older man, turned out she been doing tricks with him and pay up the last time, she said she took his wallet and been working it out. Tragedy during long holiday weekend with drowning of two men swimming in Clay pits near Simsboro. Bodies recovered by Emergency Corps *** Grandpa’s Report .. Loss of two more special friends Dale Huffman of Donie and Ione Emmons Newton of Fairfield. ..