Eagle Pass Police Department Celebrates National Law Enforcement Week & Honors Officers
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The City of Eagle Pass together with the Eagle Pass Police Department held their 2014 Law Enforcement Luncheon on Friday, May, 16, 2014, at the City of Eagle Pass International Center for Trade to celebrate National Law Enforcement Week and recognize deserving local officers.
The luncheon was to recognize each person in the City of Eagle Pass Law Enforcement Community. Attending the luncheon were Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, Mayor Pro-Tem Luis E. Sifuentes, and City Manager Gloria Barrientos as well as other local dignitaries.
Eagle Pass Chief of Police Alberto Guajardo opened the ceremony by recognizing all past and present law enforcement officials who have taken the solemn oath to uphold the law. Police Chief Guajardo presented Eagle Pass Police Department Lieutenant Aldo Escamilla as the guest speaker for the luncheon.
Lieutenant Escamilla asked all law enforcement officers, “what does the badge meant to you?” Escamilla recalled the beginning of his career and how a Sergeant back then asked him the very same question.
“A Sergeant once, Said to me that’s a very heavy badge you are wearing and I looked at him dazed and I had no comment, when he asked me what that badge means to you. I did not know what to respond to that older supervisor,” said Escamilla.
Escamilla explained that he researched the meaning behind the badge that all law enforcement officials carry and shared its origins with the luncheon attendees.
Most law enforcement officers carry and wear their badge pinned on their left hand side of their uniform, right above their heart. Escamilla further stated that many say that peace officers wear their badge by their hearts as a reminder of the oath they took to protect and serve the public and as a symbol that derives from the Fifth Century when Knights carried their shield into battle on their left hand side to protect their heart, stated Escamilla.
“ The answers I have received from many officers in the past days have been consistent, Loyalty, respect and honor. The police badge does not only symbolize integrity, honor, service, dedication, strength and character but most of all to me it symbolizes, public trust. It symbolizes protector of the peace,” said Escamilla.
“Today over 900,000 police officers in the United States put their lives on the line on a daily basis for the safety and protection of others. They serve with valor, dedication and with great success. This protection comes with a price each year as there are over 60,000 assaults on peace officers, 16,000 of those result in injury, sadly, in the last decade over 160 officers have been killed in the line of duty. With this being said, next time you put on the uniform I invoke you to not only remember loyalty, respect, but also honor those brothers and sisters who have given their life for the protection of others. It has been one of my life’s greatest privileges to see so many men and women ready to do this. For this, I say greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend, John 15;13. “ concluded Escamilla.
Eagle Pass Police Chief Alberto Guajardo presented three local peace officers with service awards and recognized the Eagle Pass Police Department’s Reserve Officers.
Police Chief Guajardo presented Enrique Rodriguez the first service award with the 2014 Reserve Peace Officer Award for his exceptional work with the Eagle Pass Police Department’s Reserve Officers. Rodriguez graduated from the Del Rio police academy in 1994, and then joined the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department. Between 1997 and 1999, Rodriguez was promoted to the rank of Sergeant at the Maverick County Sheriff Department. From2000 to 2001, he also served as Deputy Constable. From 2001 to 2004, Rodriguez served in the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department patrol and warrants unit. Rodriguez currently serves in the Eagle Pass Police Department Reserve Unit, which he has been doing so since 2005.
“Rodriguez became a peace officer to follow in his father’s footsteps, who was also a peace officer for over 32 years,” said Chief Guajardo.
Police Chief Guajardo presented the second service award to Eagle Pass Police Officer Cesar Torres in recognition of his excellence and dedication for 25 years of service to the City of Eagle Pass. Torres was presented the 2014 Retirement Service Award. Torres is retiring from the Eagle Pass Police Department. Police Chief Guajardo stated that Torres started his law enforcement career on May 12, 1989 as a patrol man until 2001. Torres then transferred to the property and evidence department as a crime scene investigator. He also serves as instructor at present day. Torres’s accomplishments as a EPPD officer are as a crime prevention officer. He currently holds a Master Peace Officer License, enjoys activities with the EPPD’s Blue Santa Project for the past 10 years, working with providing identification for local youths during the past five years, and has worked on EPPD’s Career on Wheels projects. “ He will be truly missed by all of us,” said Chief Guajardo.
Chief Guajardo presented the third service award to Eagle Pass Police Officer Travis Hile amidst a standing ovation from everyone in attendance. Chief Guajardo presented Officer Travis Hile with the 2014 Law Enforcement Week Recognition Award.
Officer Hile began his law enforcement career when he attended the police academy in 1995. In February 1997, he started working with the Eagle Pass Police Department as a communications dispatcher. Shortly thereafter, he started in the patrol division in 1999. Hile then transferred to the DEA task force. During this period, Hile was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In January of 2000, Hile had several major surgeries to remove the brain tumor. After going through radiation and physical therapy, Officer Hile was able to return to the Eagle Pass Police Department. Towards the end of 2000, Officer Hile was able to return part-time in the Eagle Pass Police Department Detectives Division. In the spring of 2001, Hile returned full-time with the EPPD patrol division where he still remains honoring his oath to the peace officer badge.
Chief Guajardo recognized Hile’s selfless acts and genuine concerns for others around him during times of need and protection. Chief Guajardo commended Officer Hile for being a role model to all law enforcement officers of service above self.
“I thank you all so much for being here today. It means so much to us. Sometimes we go unrecognized for the things that we do. I think the most important thing is that we are here to serve you, our community. I want to take the opportunity to thank and recognize our Sergeants within the Eagle Pass Police Department,” said Chief Guajardo.
Guajardo emphasized that the Sergeants within the police department have a great responsibility within the department.
“ I just want to say that I am very proud of you on how you treat and work with your squads,” said Guajardo.
Chief Guajardo also recognized the many EPPD reserve officers who dedicate their time to the oath they have taken to uphold the law and to keep their community at peace.
“In closing, I just want to congratulate everyone who participated in the weekly events to celebrate Law Enforcement week in our community, concluded Chief Guajardo
The Eagle Pass Business Journal congratulates and thanks all law enforcement officers in Eagle Pass and Maverick County for their service and protection of our citizens.
