By Janet Jacobs
Corsicana Daily Sun
Corsicana — Ray Ivie, 54, a former Corsicana Police Officer for 22 years until his retirement over a year ago, was arrested Tuesday evening for alleged drug violations.
The warrant issued for his arrest was for a third-degree felony — delivery of a controlled substance, hydrocodone, also known as Lortab, under 28 grams in a drug-free zone. It’s a third-degree felony which could result in a state jail sentence.
Because it was in a drug-free zone, it bumps up the seriousness of the charge, according to Justice of the Peace Kirby Hill, who issued the warrant and set the bond.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Ivie remained in the Navarro County jail in lieu of a $5,000 bond, according to Deputy Sheriff Mike Cox.
Ivie worked for the Corsicana Police Department from July 1987 until January 2009 when he resigned.
“He retired shortly after I got here,” said Corsicana Police Chief Randy Bratton.
Ivie’s background in law enforcement makes the case more difficult emotionally, but it doesn’t negate the charges, Cox said.
“Emotionally, it hurts all officers when an officer violates the law,” he said. “But we are human, we come from the population like everybody else. And we’re subject to the same foibles as everyone else.”
Cox said the reports on the arrest hadn’t been completed by 5 p.m. Wednesday, so he didn’t know where the arrest was made or if it was in a school zone. Drug-free zones can also include other places where children or young people might be, including playgrounds, daycare centers, colleges and entertainment venues, according to an article on drug free zones written by Richard Martindale, Assistant District Attorney in Potter County and printed in “The Prosecutor” a publication of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association.
Ivie’s long history with local officers, both in the county and the city, makes it hard, but not complex, Hill said.
“It always makes it more difficult, I would think, if someone has worked with you in the past,” Hill said. “But the law is still the law, whether it’s a law enforcement officer or judge, you still have to abide by them, and if you don’t, then you still have the same consequences as any member of the public.”
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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com
