STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 54th Legislature (2014)

SENATE
RESOLUTION 69	By:	Justice

AS INTRODUCED

A Resolution applauding the work and dedication of the ODAFF's Investigative Services Division; commending the career and service of ODAFF Chief Agent Jerry Flowers; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry's (ODAFF) Investigative Services Division investigates agriculture crimes ranging from the theft of livestock, agriculture equipment and timber to wild land fire arson; and
WHEREAS, cattle theft is a serious crime that has become more prevalent in Oklahoma.  The most common thieves are meth addicts who sneak onto ranches and farms to steal cows, worth around $1,000.00 a head, and then sell them at auction for money; and
WHEREAS, Chief Agent Jerry Flowers of the ODAFF Investigative Services Division and his nine special agents are dedicated to taking down cattle thieves, patrolling Oklahoma's vast prairies and cattle ranches; and
WHEREAS,  Flowers' Division recently made national news when they apprehended former ranch hands David Wallace and Larry "Snag" Smith who are accused of stealing 100 cows, worth $100,000.00, from Oklahoma Rancher and former "The Amazing Race" contestant, Jet McCoy; and
WHEREAS, since 2007, the Division has investigated an average of just over 200 cases annually; and
WHEREAS, since 2009, the Investigative Services Division has filed an average of over 380 felony counts each year; and
WHEREAS, under Chief Agent Flowers' leadership, the Division solved 242 cases and recovered more than $957,000.00 worth of property and livestock in 2013 for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers; and
WHEREAS, this year, the Division has investigated 55 new cases, filed 69 felony counts for agriculture-related crimes and recovered more than $726,000.00 in stolen cattle and agriculture equipment; and
WHEREAS, Chief Agent Jerry Flowers has 40 years of experience in law enforcement, having worked for the Oklahoma City Police Department for 34 years, retiring as Senior Detective in the Criminal Intelligence Unit and Senior Hostage Negotiator for the Tactical Response Team.  He then joined ODAFF's Investigative Services Division in July 2008 as Captain and became the Chief Agent in January 2013; and
WHEREAS, Chief Agent Flowers is a lifetime member and has served both as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Gang Investigators Association and was a member of numerous other gang-related associations.  He has 21 years of experience in gang investigations and is qualified in federal and state courts as a street gang expert witness; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, Chief Agent Flowers was assigned to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, Oklahoma City Office, to investigate domestic- and U.S.-related international terrorism and was deputized as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal with top secret clearance; and
WHEREAS, as a certified instructor, Flowers has provided training to the Oklahoma City Police Training Academy, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Academy in Quantico, Virginia, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and other state and federal law enforcement agencies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 54TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
THAT the Oklahoma State Senate applauds the work and dedication of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry's Investigative Services Division to protecting Oklahoma's agricultural community.
THAT the Oklahoma State Senate commends the 40-year law enforcement career and dedicated service of ODAFF Chief Agent Jerry Flowers to the State of Oklahoma.
THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Commissioner of Agriculture Jim Reese; ODAFF Chief Agent Jerry Flowers; Special Agents Patrick Blake, Paul Cornett, Donnie Crain, Eddie Davenport, Dusty Goforth, Terry Gregg, Michael Hooper, Ricky Rushing and Eddie Virden; Auditor Jeff Scott and Administrative Assistant Marie Edgemon.

54-2-3624	 JB	4/14/2014 10:55:35 AM