El Paso County Sheriff's Office
800 E. Overland, 3rd floor, El Paso, Texas 79901
Public Affairs Section
Pagers: (915) 533-0733 (#5370-Tovar) (#5248-Placencia)
NEWS RELEASE- El Paso County Sheriff Leo Samaniego Passes
Announcement from Chief Deputy Jimmy Apodaca, regarding the passing of Sheriff Leo Samaniego:
Friday, December 28, 2007 5:30 p.m.
Prepared remarks from Chief Deputy Jimmy Apodaca, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office:
I want to thank all of you for attending this important news conference on such a short notice.
It is with heavy heart and a lot of emotion that I announce the passing of my mentor and the longest serving Sheriff in the 155 year history of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Leo Samaniego passed away in his sleep at 2:41 pm on this date. He was surrounded by his loving family. Our leader, a godly man is now in the presence of his maker patrolling heaven looking down on his family, this agency and the great citizens of this community who entrusted him the opportunity serve as a genuine public servant.
Sheriff’s Office and Detention Facility flags will be displayed at half-staff through the date of Sheriff Samaniego’s Interment. All uniformed employees are being ordered to cover their badge with a black band until further notice.
I ask the media to respect the family’s wishes for privacy as they prepare for his funeral. Any announcement regarding his service will be directed from our office. This is a very sad day; however, with prayer and the Sheriff’s guidance from above this very proud law enforcement agency will move forward and carry out his tradition of excellence. I remind all of our employees what Sheriff Samaniego has instilled in all of us:
We will continue to:
Protect lives, property, and the rights of people;
Maintain order;
Enforce the law impartially;
Provide quality police service in partnership with other members of the community
To fulfill our mission, we will strive to attain the highest degree of ethical behavior and professional conduct at all times.
Prepared remarks by Rick Glancey, Director of Public Affairs, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office:
We have told you since the Sheriff made public his illness that he remained in constant communication with the leadership of this agency. When he left a few months ago to take care of medical needs, he entrusted Chief Deputy Santiago “Jimmy” Apodaca to take charge of the Sheriff’s Office and continue moving this agency forward.
The Sheriff’s fingerprints of excellence were constant during his leave of absence. I would like to read a small excerpt from a letter written by him just one month ago this date to County Judge Anthony Cobos and County Commissioner’s. We will also provide copies to the media.
His letter reads in part:
I have not given up the fight to beat this disease. If I die from this disease, I am expressing my sincere wish to the El Paso County Commissioner’s Court to appoint Jimmy Apodaca as Sheriff of El Paso County to finish the remainder of my term that expires on December 31, 2008. It is still my dream to turn over a key to the next Sheriff of a fully accredited Sheriff’s office, to include the training academy and dispatch offices. We will be the only Sheriff’s office in the State of Texas to have more than four accreditations.
Sincerely,
Leo Samaniego, Sheriff
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
A Letter from Sheriff Leo Samaniego to County Judge Cobos and County Commissioners (see attachment)
El Paso County Attorney Jose Rodriguez addressed the media. Items covered (see Attachment)
Click on link below for News Conference announcing the passing of Sheriff Leo Samaniego:
COMPLETE VIDEO: El Paso County Sheriff's News Conference