Supporting Law Enforcement: Aubrey Hawkins - Brownwood

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STORY BROADCAST ON JANUARY 12TH ( 6PM AND 10PM )
Brownwood Joins the Search for Escapees
A larger reward could bring the Connally 7 to justice.
The idea hit Steve Harris while he was working at his Brownwood
restaurant. If the lottery can build a three million dollar jackpot in
just a week or so, he thought, why couldn't Texans take their
lottery money and put it towards a much more worthy cause.
Now Harris is turning his idea in to reality.

Since their escape from the Connally Unity of the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice on December 13th, seven inmates
have spread terror across the state, and are accused with the
Christmas Eve murder of Irving Police Officer Awbrey Hawkins.
As of midweek, $200,000 in reward money was offered for their
capture. But Harris wants to sweeten the pot. He thinks if Texans
chip in that lotto money, the reward could jump in to the millions.
Police think the inmates are being helped by outsiders, and a
reward of that size could only help sway the sympathies of any
one helping them.

If you'd like to give to the fund, please send contributions to the
Irving Police Department c/o
IRVING REWARD FUND\HAWKINS REWARD FUND
305 O'CONNER BLVD.
IRVING, TEXAS 75061

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STORY BROADCAST ON JANUARY 12TH ( 6PM AND 10 PM )
Brownwood Grocer Helps Cause
A Brownwood grocer says Texans should send their lottery dollars for one week to build the bounty for the
capture of seven South Texas prison fugitives. Steve Harris is handing out envelopes addressed to police in Irving.

The fugitives are accused of killing an Irving policeman during a robbery. The company that owns the store where
the officer was killed is setting up a 25-thousand-dollar memorial fund. Houston-based Oshman's Sporting Goods
today announced the Oshman's Aubrey Hawkins Memorial Fund. Hawkins was fatally shot and run over during a
Christmas Eve holdup at an Irving store. Hawkins left behind a wife and a nine-year-old son. The 25-thousand-dollar corporate donation will benefit the officer's family in a trust fund administered by Wells Fargo Bank.

Donations may be sent to:
Officer Hawkins Reward Fund
c/o City of Irving
305 North Oconner
Irving TX 75061

Sunday, January 14, 2001
WAXAHACHIE DAILY LIGHT

Area native launches reward effort Brownwood man asking all Texans to join effort in capturing escapees

By CELINDA EMISON
Daily Light staff writer

A Waxahachie native is calling for all Texans to send $1 to a reward fund set for the capture of the seven inmates who escaped from the Connally Unit in December.

Steve Harris, formerly of Waxahachie now living in Brownwood, began the statewide campaign last Wednesday in an effort to raise $3.5 million in reward money for the capture of the “Connally 7.”

“We did this because law enforcement officials have said that $300,000 (reward raised so far) was not enough for people who might know the whereabouts of the inmates to give that information,” Harris said. “If we can get three-and- a-half million Texans to each send in one dollar, this will be successful.”

The seven inmates executed a well-thought out plan, and escaped from the Connally Unit in Kenedy, Texas on Dec. 13, 2000. The seven inmates broke out of the prison after overpowering a dozen guards. The escapees
have been on the loose since then, and on Dec. 24, while committing a robbery at Oshman’s in Irving, they reportedly killed Irving Police Officer Aubrey Hawkins.

“The police put their life on the line for our safety,” Harris said. “If it had been a Brownwood or Waxahachie officer, I would hope that citizens would donate a dollar to help find these criminals.”

Harris came up with the idea after talking to concerned citizens in Brown County and neighboring rural communities who were worried about the inmates, who are considered armed and dangerous.

“We got the idea after hearing that of a lot of folks in rural Texas were wanting to help,” Harris said. “If we all spend the dollar that we would spend on a lottery ticket, there’s no reason why we couldn’t raise the money.”

Harris, a chef and owner of Steve’s Market and Deli in Brownwood, began the effort by making a few phone calls
to fellow business owners.

“I thought why don’t we do something locally so I made several phone calls to businesses and friends and raised $750 within an hour,” Harris recalled. “Then we decided to expand the effort so we could go statewide.”

Then, Harris got on the phone and called officials in Austin and Irving to find out how to proceed with the campaign.

“They all thought it was a great idea,” he said.

The public has been warned not to underestimate the capabilities of the seven inmates. The inmates are considered armed and dangerous by law enforcement officials.

“These guys are creative, smart and cunning and I figure we need to use our imagination in raising this money so they can be captured,” Harris said. “Most people across the state want to help and this way everybody can help without draining all of us.”

The fund has already been set up. Interested persons may contribute by sending $1 to the
Hawkins Reward Fund,
c/o the City of Irving,
305 NorthO’Connor,
Irving, Texas, 75061.

“We have to take these things personally,” Harris said. “Any one of us has the potential of running in to the Connally inmates so we need to do what we can to get them captured.


In an effort to prevent a catastrophic situation involving the escaped prisoners, law enforcement agencies have maintained a heightened awareness since the seven Texas prison escapees have been on the loose, particularly in North Central Texas. Ellis County law enforcement is no different — making sure that all tips are checked out and investigated.

Early Thursday morning an all points bulletin was transmitted over local scanners saying the Connally Seven had been sighted near Troy. Reports indicate a suspect fitting the description of ring-leader George Rivas was
seen in a van. However, this lead, along with several others throughout the week, have turned up nothing.

Chief Deputy Charles Sullins said his department is operating as it normally would but that deputies and patrol officers have been instructed to be aware of their surroundings, especially during routine traffic stops.

“Our staff is taking the necessary precautions,” Sullins said. “We have to check out any tips or leads that may be in Ellis County.” The escapees are Rivas, 30; Michael Anthony Rodriguez, 38; Joseph C. Garcia, 30; Larry James Harper, 37; Randy Ethan Halprin, 22; Patrick Henry Murphy, Jr., 39
and Donald Keith Newbury, 62.

The Connally 7 were featured for the second time Saturday night on “America’s Most Wanted.”