SHERIFF OTTO HANAK NAMED TO TEXAS COLD CASE REVIEW TEAM

  

Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak has been named to the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas Cold Case Review Team. This team was created by the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas in 1985 to provide assistance to all law enforcement agencies on unsolved major crimes that have occurred in their respective communities.

The Cold case Review Team consists of Sheriffs, Deputies, Officers from city Police Departments, Texas Department of Public Safety, DPS Crime Laboratory, DPS Criminal Intelligence Service, Texas Rangers, a Licensed Psychotherapist, Forensic Anthropologist, Attorney, Senior Judge, Medical Examiner, and a Medical Doctor.

The Team meets quarterly in Austin to provide these services at no cost to requesting agencies.

Sheriffs’ Association of Texas Executive Director Steve Westbrook stated, “Team members may have sometime experienced many of the same investigative difficulties facing presenters of some of these unsolved cases. This “think tank” environment provides an opportunity for a wide variety of input, different perspectives, and investigative considerations to the officers presenting their cases.”

Westbrook added, “We are excited to have Sheriff Hanak be a part of this team. He is a seasoned investigator who leads a progressive Sheriff’s Office and will bring a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the table.”

Sheriff Hanak has served Washington County as their elected Sheriff since 2013 and has been serving in the criminal justice community for the last 36 years as a District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigator, Texas Ranger, DPS Trooper, and TDCJ Corrections Officer.