Commissioner Alisa Simmons Statement on Sheriff Waybourn Son

Tarrant County, Texas: A high-profile arrest in Arlington this week exemplifies how the justice system can work.

Behavioral and mental health protections kicked in.

The local police department, the sheriff’s office, and Tarrant County magistrates acted swiftly.

And, because all the systems operated symbiotically, a young man accused of several felony crimes was released from jail in less than 24 hours.

He is home with his family while he awaits his day in court, providing his loved ones with another chance to keep a closer eye on him, obtain the mental, behavioral, and medical care he may need, and embrace him once again.

Despite felony charges, he was spared having to spend even a single night in the Tarrant County jail—the same jail operated by his father, Sheriff Bill Waybourn. Consequently, the jail, where on the sheriff’s watch, 72 people—many of whom with similar mental health issues—have been murdered, died due to medical neglect, died under suspicious circumstances, or because they simply could not afford their bond before it was too late.

Sheriff Waybourn’s son avoided all of this—an advantage not afforded most.

All families should be so fortunate, but are not as privileged.

I pray the underage girl involved in the incident is receiving the support she may need, and I stand ready to assist her family in obtaining assistance. In addition, I am grateful the arresting officer injured during the altercation did not sustain more serious injuries.

As a community, we must call on additional leaders to extend the same protections, treatment, due process, and equal protections to all—including those who, like Sheriff Waybourn’s son, are charged with violent and heinous offenses.