NCSO News

On Saturday afternoon, February 4^th, 2023, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a deceased body being found south of Lake Sweetwater near the area of FM-2035 and County Road 230 where Bitter Creek enters the far south end of Lake Sweetwater.

“Our investigation revealed that the victim apparently died as a result of an accidental drowning.  It appears that the victim likely fell from an elevated position in a tree alongside the creek and landed face down in the water.  The body was discovered initially by a friend and a family member of the deceased.  There were no indications of foul play, but a complete autopsy was performed this week by Texas Panhandle Forensics in Lubbock.  The preliminary pathology report lists the manner of death as being accidental with the cause being asphyxia due to drowning,” Sheriff David Warren stated.

According to Sheriff Warren, “The deceased was identified as 35-year-old Robert Anthony Strzelec Jr., of Nolan County.  Our investigation will remain open until the final complete autopsy report gets to us which should be in about three weeks.  We were assisted in this investigation by our local Texas DPS office and our area Texas Ranger.  Members of the Sweetwater Fire Department and Lake Sweetwater Volunteer Fire Department assisted with our efforts including the recovery of the body.  Again, this appears to be a tragic accident and our prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of Robbie Strzelec.”

Sheriff David Warren

Sheriff David Warren swore in a new deputy on Friday, September 23, 2022. Martin McDonell took the oath of office and received his Deputy Sheriff badge in the presence of family, and friends to commemorate this special occasion. His wife was present at the ceremony and pinned the badge on him.

Deputy McDonell was hired by Sheriff David Warren and started his career is law enforcement in July 2020, and was assigned to the jail section of the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office where he worked as a jailer. He later attended the West Central Texas Law Enforcement Academy, in Abilene and was among a total of 15 cadets who graduated training on Monday, August 15, 2022, acquiring the title, Texas Peace Officer.

We are excited to have Deputy McDonell as part of our team. We wish him the best and look forward to his service.

On Monday, April 18, 2022, Chief Deputy David McDonald was recognized for 25 years of dedicated service to the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office.  McDonald has served as a Patrol Deputy, Criminal Investigator, and for the last 13½ years as Chief Deputy.  McDonald holds a Master Peace Officer certification and an Instructor’s Certification with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.  McDonald is an active member of the Texas Chief Deputies Association where he has held many offices and committee appointments.  He also serves on the Nolan County Child Welfare Board and West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center board.

Sheriff David Warren described McDonald as a man of unquestionable integrity and one with great character and loyalty.  “We’ve been down the road a lot of years and a lot of hard miles together.  I’m very proud to have worked together with him for 25 years and to have had him as my Chief Deputy for over 13 of those years,” said Warren.

Sheriff David Warren swore in a new Deputy Sheriff on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Sidney “Sid” Brunson took the oath of office and received his Deputy Sheriff badge in the presence of his new co-workers, to commemorate this special occasion. Deputy Brunson is a South Plains Association of Governments Law Enforcement Academy graduate with over 23 years law enforcement experience. He will be assigned to the Courthouse Security Section of the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office. We are excited to have Deputy Brunson as part of our team and we wish him the best and look forward to his service.

On Thursday March 10, 2022, Sheriff David Warren swore in Jay Strong. He will be assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office. Investigator Strong retired from the United States Air Force and was First Sergeant for SFS before graduating from Arizona State University in 2013 with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. He graduated in 2014 from the West Central Texas Law Enforcement Academy, in Abilene and has been in law enforcement for 24 years. Investigator Strong is married to Dr. Debra Notturno-Strong, and they have two children, Matthew and Alexandra. We wish Investigator Strong the best and look forward to his service.