More than $100,000 was raised within 36 hours for a boat for the Jasper County Sheriff's Office

JASPER, TX-

The citizens of Southeast Texas 'showed up and showed out' this week!

Just three days ago, Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard made a post on social media asking people to pitch in and donate money to help purchase a law enforcement boat for the county! Within 36 hours, $104,000 was raised by citizens! That's $4,000 over the goal.

In his most recent post, Havard had this to say;

"JCSO Watercraft Vessel will be dedicated to fallen Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputy Raymond Claude

On Monday (6-30) we announced to the citizens of Jasper County and Southeast Texas that we were asking for donations for a law enforcement watercraft vessel for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. Our monetary target was $100,000. 00. I’m happy to report in just 36 hours we raised right at $104,000. Once all the funds are collected, we are already on the agenda and will seek Commissioner’s Court approval to accept the donations on July 14th (the law requires this).

Once Commissioner’s Court approves the donations, we will then secure the boat and start rigging it out. The boat we have identified is a 2025 year model, SX241 Skeeter, 24’ center console. The vessel will be powered by a powerful 300 horsepower Yamaha outboard engine and marked with our logo. It is a very real possibility that this watercraft vessel will be on our waters before the end of this summer. This vessel will be primarily used for law-enforcement purposes, but we will have personnel available to respond to ANY emergency on any of our waters. 24/7. I can assure the people of Jasper County that they will be extremely proud when they see this vessel on our lakes or rivers. It will be operated and manned by JCSO law enforcement professionals.

This vessel will be dedicated to fallen Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputy Raymond Claude. Deputy Claude was injured in an attempted Jasper County Jail escape by an inmate in 1981. He succumbed to his injuries several months later. He was also one of the founding members of the Jasper County Emergency Corp. Deputy Claude paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the citizens of Jasper County. This watercraft vessel will be dedicated in his honor and bear his name. We will have a public dedication by the end of the summer.

We are humbled and honored for the overwhelming support that the citizens of Jasper County and across Southeast Texas have shown us and are grateful for their generosity."

Sheriff Chuck Havard