Texas Justice Prevails: Texas Deputy Steve January Arrested Killers For 34 Years

Texas Justice Prevails: Texas Deputy Steve January Arrested Killers For 34 Years

Author: Robert Riggs June 12, 2023 Duration: 31:31

Steve January, the Chief Deputy of the McLennan County Sheriff in Waco, Texas, was a lawman cut from denim of the old west.

Hundreds of officers recently paid their last respects to January, whose life was not cut short by a bullet from his many face-offs with killers but by cancer. 

I’m Robert Riggs with a story about an officer who fought many a round seeking justice inside the crime scene tape.

L to R Robert Riggs & Chief Deputy Steve January Hold “Yellowstone” Hoodie Worn By Nicole Sheridan

Steve and I were last pictured together holding up a barrel racing jacket given to the Sheriff’s office by Nicole Sheridan, the wife of Taylor Sheridan.

Yes. Taylor Sheridan, The creator of Yellowstone, a true-life Texas cowboy, and cousin of January’s boss Sheriff Parnell McNamara.

I met McNamara and January in May 2022 to discuss their cold case unit.

In honor of Steve’s memory, I am rebroadcasting the episode.  

After hearing the original, many of you commented that you wished you had a pair of straight-talking, no-nonsense Texas lawmen like January and McNamara watching over your community.

Their motto is “Riding Herd On The Lawless.”

And they are about as Texas as you can get.


In closing, here’s my reporter’s recap and reflections.

Steve January was a lawman who would not quit when trying to find justice for the victims of crime.  

He stood up the cold case unit to solve cases once considered unsolvable. 

That was Steve, and the law-abiding citizens of Central Texas will miss him. 


FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast 

SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter

THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.

TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT  that you want to hear more about


Robert Riggs has spent decades as an investigative reporter, and in True Crime Reporter, he applies that relentless, document-driven approach to the stories that haunt us. This isn't just a retelling of grim headlines; it's a meticulous walk through active case files, historical injustices, and the societal undercurrents that allow crime to flourish. Each episode feels like you're sitting across from Riggs as he lays out his notes, connecting dots between evidence, witness accounts, and the often-overlooked details that change a narrative. You'll hear the tension in the pursuit of truth, the weight of unresolved questions, and the quiet impact on communities and families left in the wake of violence. The podcast moves beyond the sensational to examine the cultural and systemic factors at play, offering a sober, deeply researched perspective. Listen for long-form narratives that build like a detective's board, where every piece of audio, every interview, and every document serves a purpose. It’s for those who want to understand the 'why' and the 'how' as much as the 'who,' presented with the clarity and authority of a seasoned journalist who knows the terrain. This is a journey into real stories, handled with the care they demand, and it naturally becomes an essential listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of human behavior, justice, and the news.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

True Crime Reporter
Podcast Episodes
Blood Pacts and Breaking Bad: The Rise and Fall of the Devil Lovers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:51
In the shadow of Texas’ heartland, a clandestine cult flourished under the guise of dark rituals and methamphetamine production. Known as the Devil Lovers, this group of middle-aged men and women from prominent Waco fami…
A Case Of Pure Evil Haunts Dallas FBI Agent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Genaro “Geno” Ruiz Camacho’s drug empire thrived on violence. In the late 1980s in Dallas, he ruled with an iron fist and displayed an almost unimaginable cruelty towards those who crossed his path. This story is about v…
Better Be On Your Best Behavior When Police Wear Body Cameras [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
If Minneapolis police officers had been wearing body cameras, would it have prevented the excessive force that led to the murder of 46-year-old George Floyd? Dr. Jennifer Matthews says Body-Worn Cameras are reshaping Pol…