MCSO Deputy Page suspended; appeals to district court
Montgomery County Deputy Blake Page challenges his 30-day unpaid suspension after an off-duty confrontation.
CONROE, Texas — A Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputy is challenging a 30-day unpaid suspension following an off-duty confrontation that prompted an internal investigation and a grand jury review.
Deputy Blake Page, a five-year veteran of the department, was handed the disciplinary action last week following an incident that occurred on August 24. While the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has remained tight-lipped regarding specific details of the internal policy violations, the suspension was confirmed by the county’s Civil Service Commission in a unanimous 3-0 vote on October 23.
The disciplinary process began after a private citizen filed a complaint alleging that Page, who was off-duty and dressed in plain clothes at the time, approached them with an aggressive demeanor. The complainant alleged that Page utilized profanity and accused them of tailing his vehicle, leaving the citizen fearing for their safety.
Following the initial complaint, the matter was referred to a Montgomery County grand jury to determine if Page’s actions constituted "official oppression," a Class A misdemeanor in Texas. On September 22, the grand jury declined to issue an indictment, finding no probable cause to pursue criminal charges.
Despite the absence of criminal culpability, the Sheriff’s Office proceeded with an internal administrative review. Sheriff Rand Henderson recommended the 30-day suspension, citing violations of departmental standards regarding conduct and public interactions.
John R. Sanchez, the attorney representing Deputy Page, filed an appeal in district court on the same day the Civil Service Commission upheld the suspension. Sanchez argues that the disciplinary action is based on a misunderstanding of the events, characterizing his client as a victim of circumstances who was attempting to navigate a stressful situation.
"This is a classic case of mistaken identity and an overzealous citizen," Sanchez said in a statement. "Deputy Page was not the aggressor; he was being followed. He was attempting to identify himself as law enforcement to de-escalate what he perceived to be a threat to his safety."
According to Sanchez, Page believed the individual was tailing him, prompting the confrontation. The deputy’s legal team contends that the internal investigation did not adequately account for the perspective of an officer who, while off-duty, believed he was being targeted.
Page has served the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for five years, beginning his career in 2019 as a detention officer before transitioning to the role of deputy three years ago.
The filing of the appeal moves the dispute into the district court system, where a judge will determine whether the Civil Service Commission’s decision should stand or be overturned. The Sheriff’s Office has declined further comment on the pending litigation.
For additional information on county employee policies and the role of the Civil Service Commission, residents can visit the official Montgomery County website at mctx.org. The progress of the district court appeal can be monitored through the Montgomery County District Clerk’s public records portal.