March 2008 - Posts

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office receives Tri-Arc Award

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El Paso County Sheriff's Office
3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / Public Information Officer
(915) 538-2217
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
EMAIL: jtovar@epcounty.com
Release Date & Time: Monday, March 17, 2008 12:00 pm

Information:

Over the weekend, El Paso County Sheriff Jimmy Apodaca and members of his staff attended the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) conference held in Atlanta, Georgia to receive the prestigious Tri-Arc Award.

The Conference was dedicated to the late Sheriff Leo Samaniego.

CALEA is an independent non-profit organization, which was established in 1979 through the combined efforts of law enforcement’s largest membership organizations - the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and the Police Executive Research Forum.

Its purpose is to improve the delivery of law enforcement services through voluntary compliance with nationally recognized and accepted practices. This organization currently serves foreign countries as well.

The Tri-Arc Award is given to the governing body(s) and agencies that have concurrent CALEA accreditation for their law enforcement, public safety communications and public safety training agencies.

The award name was selected to reflect the three accreditation programs (“TRI”) and symbolize the synergistic power and light created as the result of an unusual achievement (“ARC”). 

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas to be awarded accreditation from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy. The three other agencies are; Kansas City, Kansas-July 2006, Honolulu, Hawaii- March 2006, Knoxville, Tennessee- November 2004.

Out of 30,000 Law enforcement agencies nationwide, only 900 public safety agencies are enrolled in some stage of the CALEA process. 

The Sheriff’s Office also has the first two Nationally Accredited County Jails in Texas.

Quote from Sheriff Apodaca:

“If you want to be the best, you have to work at it everyday. This is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement excellence. “I know Sheriff Samaniego would be very proud of this award. This award is a reflection of his leadership. I will continue his legacy of integrity & Professional Excellence.” said Sheriff Jimmy Apodaca, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

Posted 17 March 2008 12:00 PM by jtovar
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El Paso County Sheriff's Office -Public Affairs Office

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El Paso County Sheriff's Office
3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938
NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / Public Information Officer

(915) 538-2217

Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)

EMAIL: jtovar@epcounty.com

Release Date & Time: Saturday, March 15, 2008 12:00 am

Information:

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office- Deputy Jesus (Jesse) Tovar is the main point of contact for the news media effective March 14, 2008. 

Deputy Tovar is assigned to the Public Information Office until further notice.

He will be assisted in that capacity by Deputy Eduardo (Eddie) Placencia. 

Please direct all inquiries to Deputy Tovar. 

He can be reached at the office during normal business hours at (915) 538-2217 or by pager at (915) 533-0733 (#5370).  He can also be paged through the Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (915) 546-2280.  The contact information for Deputy Placencia remains the same. 

We appreciate your cooperation in notifying everyone within your news organization of this change.

Posted 15 March 2008 12:00 AM by jtovar
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Promotion & Awards Ceremony 03-11-08

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El Paso County Sheriff's Office

3850 Justice Dr. -Sheriff's Office Headquarters 1st Floor  El Paso, Texas 79938

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Rick Glancey/Public Affairs Director

(915) 538-2217

Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5290)

EMAIL: rglancey@epcounty.com

Release Date & Time: Monday, March 10, 2008 2:00 p.m.

WHO: El Paso County Sheriff's Office.

WHAT: Promotion Ceremony.

WHERE: El Paso County Sheriff's Office, 1st Floor-Sheriff's Office Headquarters, 3850 Justice Dr., El Paso, Texas 79938

WHEN: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

WHY: A total of 3 people will be promoted to ranks varying from Law Enforcement Detective to Detention Corporal. Also, a total of 41 others will be award recipients.

Posted 10 March 2008 02:18 PM by jtovar
Filed under:
DWI enforcement for “Spring Break”

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El Paso County Sheriff's Office

3850 Justice Rd., El Paso, Texas 79938

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Rick Glancey/Public Affairs Director

(915) 538-2217

Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5290)

EMAIL: rglancey@epcounty.com

 

Release Date & Time: Thursday, March 6, 2008 9:00 AM

 

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Traffic/Patrol Section working with the Texas Department of Transportation Education and Enforcement will be utilizing additional patrols for traffic enforcement. The push is to deter drunk driving. The enforcement program begins Friday, March 7, 2008 through March 31, 2008.

Statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation indicate Texas leads the nation when it comes to the number of traffic fatalities where the driver or motorcycle operator was legally drunk. Last year 1,677 people died in alcohol-related crashes in Texas.

Penalties for a first-time DWI offense include driver’s license suspension for up to one year, a fine of up to $2,000 and up to six months in jail," said Lieutenant Jack Waite, El Paso County Sheriff's Office.

“Our wish list includes a safe spring break holiday for everyone,” said Sheriff Jimmy Apodaca, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

“We’re reminding drivers to be responsible and let someone else drive if they’ve been drinking. Our advice is simple: designate a sober driver in advance or call a cab to get home safely,” said Sheriff Jimmy Apodaca, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

We also know during spring break we will be focusing on other law enforcement issues:

  • Possession of Alcohol by a Minor
  • Purchase of Alcohol by a Minor
  • Attempt to Purchase Alcohol by a Minor
  • Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor
  • Misrepresentation of Age by a Minor
  • Driving Under Influence of Alcohol by a Minor
  • Sale to a Minor
  • Purchase of Alcohol for a Minor
  • Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor

All Sheriff’s Deputies will patrol and arrest/ticket drivers who ignore traffic laws. We continue to enforce the zero tolerance on seat belt/child safety seat use and drinking and driving. We will also focus on aggressive driving, and those who fail to obey the speed limit.

“Zero tolerance means exactly that. We expect the motoring public to be extra mindful of all traffic laws. Our concern is in a split second a driver is facing a life-altering decision with grave consequences. When you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle or at a party you need to think about your actions,” said Sheriff Jimmy Apodaca, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

Posted 06 March 2008 09:00 AM by rglancey
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Update: Accident Involving Motorcycle 03-02-08

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El Paso County Sheriff's Office

3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / Public Affairs Section

(915) 538-2217

Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)

EMAIL: jtovar@epcounty.com

Release Date & Time: Sunday, March 2, 2008 6:00 PM

WHO: El Paso County Sheriff's Office (Upper Valley Patrol).

WHAT: Accident involving Motorcycle

WHERE: Trans Mountain Rd. Mile Post 19 eastbound -El Paso County, Texas.

WHEN: Sunday, March 2, 2008 at approximately 4:33 PM.

WHY: Under investigation.

Preliminary investigation:

Two passengers riding on a 2006 Honda motorcycle traveling eastbound on Trans Mountain Rd. Mile Post 19. The 25 year-old male driver loses control of the motorcycle as he approaches a curve. The motorcycle continues across the median onto the westbound lanes of traffic colliding head on with a 1999 Honda Civic traveling westbound. Upon collision, both the driver and a 25 year-old female passenger were ejected several feet from the point of impact.

Both driver and passenger of the motorcycle suffered extensive injuries. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Both motorcycle passengers are married and were both wearing their helmets.

The Honda Civic was occupied by a male & female couple. Upon impact, the front airbags were deployed on the Honda Civic. The couple exited their vehicle and ran to safety. It appears as if the parking gear on the Honda Civic was disabled due to the severity of the impact. The Honda Civic, with no occupants, slowly began traveling in reverse crossing the median across the eastbound lane and collided with the southside of the mountain.

The male & female couple of the Honda Civic were not injured.

It is unknown at this time if speed was a factor in this accident.

The 25 year-old male driver of the motorcycle was identified as Javier Gonzalez of Northeast El Paso, Texas.

His wife, 25 year-old female passenger of the motorcycle was identified Pearl Armedariz  also of Northeast El Paso, Texas.

An investigation continues and charges are pending.

Posted 02 March 2008 11:38 PM by jtovar
Filed under:
Vinton Fatal Identity released

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El Paso County Sheriff's Office

3850 Justice Rd., El Paso, Texas 79938

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Rick Glancey/Public Affairs Director

(915) 538-2217

Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5290)

EMAIL: rglancey@epcounty.com

 

Release Date & Time: Sunday, March 02, 2008 10:30 PM

WHO: El Paso County Sheriff's Office (Special Traffic Investigators/S.T.I.).

WHAT: Fatality.

WHERE: Interstate 10 East at E. Vinton, West El Paso County, Texas.

WHEN: Friday, February 29, 2008 at 11:55 AM.

WHY: Under investigation.

FYI: Preliminary report: The female driver of a white 1999 Chevrolet Blazer bearing New Mexico registration was traveling southbound on the inside lane of Interstate 10 East at mile marker 2. For unknown reason the driver lost control of the vehicle, The driver overcorrected to the right then veered to the left, striking a guardrail with its left side.

The Blazer continued to travel onto the median and on its side, rolled and landed on its top. The vehicle continued to slide on its top for approximately 40 feet. During the vehicle’s roll the 68 year old driver was ejected and landed on the median, approximately 73 feet south from where the vehicle landed on its top.

The driver was transported to R.E. Thomason General Hospital with serious injuries to her body and head. The driver was pronounced dead later that day.  She is identified as Magdalena Perez of the 12000 block Sharon Q, Las Cruces, New Mexico. A final autopsy report is pending.

Speed and not being secured by a safety belt are the possible contributing factors for the accident. The investigation continues. No other information is being released at this time.

Posted 02 March 2008 10:35 PM by rglancey
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