CAMERON—A Milam County Deputy Sheriff was indicted for criminally negligent homicide on Thursday.
The next day a former jail captain drew probation and was ordered to pay $56,000 in a theft case.
Deputy Michael Heath, 44, of Copperas Cove was indicted in connection with the May 2 collision in Cameron which killed a Cameron minister and civic leader.
Katrina Douglas, 43, of Temple, was sentenced to 10 years unadjudicated probation involving money taken from a sheriff’s department fund.
FATALITY—Heath was driving a patrol SUV when the collision occurred on Fourth Street (US 190/ Texas 36) near Cameron’s Milam Plaza shopping center.
Earnest Taylor, 70, was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife—75-year-old Shirley Taylor—was treated for serious injuries at Baylor Scott & White in Temple following the collision.
Heath underwent several surgeries. Sheriff David Greene said it was also discovered the deputy has kidney cancer and is being treated for that illness.
He remains on medical leave with the department.
Chief Deputy Chris White told The Reporter the sheriff’s department could not comment on the case, noting an investigation into the collision is continuing.
DPS Sgt. Dave Roberts said because the incident involved a government vehicle, a team of troopers with special training are investigating the incident.
He said no further information could be released until the investigation is complete.
PROBATION—Douglas, who was accused of stealing money from an inmate trust fund, had submitted an open plea to the court April 4 on a charge of theft ($2,500 to $150,000).
Judge John Youngblood ordered her to pay $41,000 in restitution to Milam County and an additional $15,000 to the county to pay for the cost of an audit.
She was also assessed a $5,000 fine.
Douglas had not been employed by the sheriff’s department for almost a year when she was arrested Dec. 21, 2017, in Temple.
Sheriff David Greene said the department began investigating missing funds after Douglas resigned in January, 2017, and discrepancies came to light.
The case was then turned over to the Texas Rangers. “We did not need to be investigating ourselves,” Greene said. It was alleged the missing money was taken from an inmate trust fund.
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