Sheriff Bob Brookshire was re-elected to a fourth term Nov. 3, two days after a news story reported that he gave away confiscated firearms from the department's property room. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms cleared Brookshire of wrongdoing. Earlier in the year, two former prosecutors and a former sheriff's lieutenant claimed that Brookshire had masterminded fake burglaries in late 1986 to sustain funding for a helicopter division and to enhance the department's crime fighting image. In July, Ector County Judge Jim Jordan ordered Brookshire to stop using his company car for personal use or face prosecution for violating county policy and state law. In August, the sheriff's office settled a lawsuit by two women who claimed they were sexually harassed while working as nurses in the Ector County jail.
Information is drawn from news accounts, archives and other historical records.
20th Century Countdown. The Odessa American's daily countdown of the last 100 years, from 1900 through 1999, with a short summary of some news and newsmakers affecting residents of Odessa. Copyright 1999 Odessa American. All rights reserved. Refer comments to Webmaster .