THE SHERIFF

(Quote from Amarillo Globe News Story October 2010 by Ali Allison concerning the arrest of Chuckwa)

"We are still young in the investigation, I don't think it was premeditated," says Bouchard.

In a discussion with Sheriff Bouchard, he stated that in the time that Chuckwa was in his custody, he was a model inmate who was a hard worker and caused no issues.  Bouchard said that Chuckwa enjoyed working from sun-up until sun-down in the inmate garden plot located at the Ochiltree County Jail.  Bouchard also stated that Mr. Miller was not a very nice person to Chuckwa, who was only trying to help him.

From Amarillo Globe News April 2007

Terry Bouchard, 46, was sworn in as sheriff on Tuesday at the Ochiltree County Commissioners Court meeting in Perryton.

Bouchard said he has been with the sheriff's office for about 16 years. He was with the Perryton Police Department before that, starting in 1985.

Bouchard, along with two other applicants from the sheriff's office, applied to finish out almost two years of Hataway's remaining term. Bouchard said he would run for election once he completed Hataway's partial term.

Hataway, 65, is retiring because of health issues and plans on moving home to Sunray.
"I like participating in the community. This is my home," Bouchard said Thursday. "I felt it was a good career choice for me and my family."

Bouchard is originally from Tucumcari, N.M. He graduated from New Mexico State University in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Bouchard's love for police work began in college when he helped with the arrest of a drunken driver.
"I heard an accident by my apartment. I wandered over there to see what was going on," he said. "The police officer was having difficulty arresting the suspect. I jumped in and assisted him. I thought that was pretty neat."

Despite his long career in law enforcement, Bouchard said he is following in the footsteps of a great sheriff.

"I've got some very big shoes to fill. Joe Hataway was an excellent sheriff and a great man who is very well respected," Bouchard said.

"I'm looking forward to serving the (residents) of Ochiltree County for many years. I'm very fortunate to have stepped into a department with very, very good people working for me."
Bouchard will officially take up the position today and receive a salary of $46,200.


Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory. – Proverbs 11:14