Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Officers Association

On behalf of all the Officers and Directors of the BBALEOA,
Happy Thanksgiving to all our fellow members!

Funeral Arrangements for Bert Hernandez are as follows:
Thursday November 16th, 2023
10am - 11am Viewing
11am - 11:30am Rosary
12 noon - 1pm Mass
St. Mary's Catholic Church
211 W. San Antonio Street
Marfa, Texas 79843

On November 8th, 2023, at 7pm,the BBALEOA conducted our monthly meeting at the Ward County Event Center located in Monahans, Texas. The meeting was hosted by Sheriff Frarin Valle and the Ward County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Valle provided a fine BBQ supper with all the fixings. BBALEOA Officers and Directors in attendance included President Mike French, Immediate Past President Ed Krevit, Vice President Mitch McLain, Secretary Ernesto Lazcano, Treasurer Stephanie Elmore, Director Dave Duncan, Director Mikel Strickland, Director Reno Lewis and our 1st President Carl Williams. Many Law Enforcement Agencies were represented by the following Law Enforcement Officers:
Tommy Acosta - Ward County S.O.
Willie Ardino - Ward County S.O.
Quinn Nugent- Loving County S.O.
Christy Pena - Ward County S.O.
Mark Sanchez - Ward County S.O.
Jennifer Terrazas - Ward County S.O.
Jerry Millan - Ward County S.O.
Marrisa Nunez - Ward County S.O.
Mario Nunez - Ward County S.O.
Diana Acosta - Ward County S.O.
Dave Landersman - Loving County S.O.
Aida Cambos - Monahans P.D.
Rodolfo Ozura - Ward County S. O.
Katelyn Ozura - District Attorneys Office
Jerry Edmonds- Texas DPS
Martin Oleo - Texas DPS
Mike Wright - Jeff Davis County Constable
Jacob Strickland - Ward County S.O.
Brock Franco - Ward County S.O.
Erika Payne - Ward County S.O.
Emily Lopez - Ward County S.O.
Danny Bustos - Ward County J.P. Prct. #1
Nigelli Munoz - Ward County S.O.
Michael Garcia - Ward County S.O.
Silvia Avita - Ector County S.O.
Eric DeAnda - Monahans P.D.
Arnulfo Rivas - Texas DPS
Javier Leyva - Ector County S.O
Justin Painter - Midland ISD Police
Austin Skero - Texas DPS
Daniel Leyva - Texas DPS
Lucas Speer - Ward County S.O.
Liam McLennan - FBI - Alpine
Joshua Carter - I.C.E. - Midland
Roy Bean - Ward County J.P. #2 & #3
Carter McDonald - U.S. Border Patrol
Alley Luna - Ward County S.O.
Clinton Fielder - Loving County S.O.
David Rodriguez - Ward County S.O.
Kevin Macias - Ward County S.O.
President Mike French introduced the Officers and Directors, discussed membership, the Scholarship program, the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year Award. Immediate Past President Ed Krevit gave an update on the 2024 Memorial Ceremony and the additions made to the Memorial. Presentations were made by Norma Keeton with Peacemaker Technologies and Noomi DeAnda with the Odessa College Law Enforcement Academy. The next BBALEOA meeting will be on December 13th, 2023, at 7pm and will be hosted by Sheriff Art Granado and the Reeves County Sheriff's Office at the Reeves County Civic Center. This will be our Annual Awards Ceremony in which 2 Scholarships will be awarded as well as the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year Award.
Submitted by Ed Krevit- Immediate Past President- BBALEOA

Unfortunately we share the sad news today that long time BBALEOA member Bert Hernandez has passed away. Bert retired from the U.S. Border Patrol as a Supervisory Border Patrol Agent and rehired as a Mission Support Specialist. Information concerning funeral arrangements is pending.

Submitted by Ed Krevit- Immediate Past President- BBALEOA

On October 11th, 2023, at 7pm, the Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Officers Association conducted our monthly at the Community Center in Valentine, Jeff Davis County, Texas. The meeting was hosted by Constable Mike Wright - Jeff Davis County. Constable Wright provided a fine BBQ dinner. BBALEOA Officers and Directors in attendance included President Mike French, Immediate Past President Ed Krevit, Secretary Stephanie Elmore, Director Dave Duncan, Director Mikel Strickland, Director Gene Baker and our 1st President Carl Williams, who recently turned 89 years old and was recently recognized by Sul Ross State University as a Distinguished Alumni. There were 2 Special Guests in attendance including John Bittick - retired Sheriff and U.S. Marshal of Georgia who is also a Past President of the National Sheriff's Association and Norma Keeton - Peacemaker Technologies. Texas Rangers in attendance included Lieutenant Tom Norsworthy - El Paso and Austin L. Skero Ii - Border Liaison Officer. Texas DPS Officers in attendance included Major Matt Mull, Gabriel Nava, Doug Haslett, Martin Olea, Jerry Edmonds and Derek Pearson. Other Law Enforcement Agencies in attendance included Dave Landersman - Loving County Sheriff's Office, Quinn Nugent - Loving County Sheriff's Office. Special Guest John Bittick led us in the prayers and pledges to the U.S. Flag and State of Texas Flag. President Mike French introduced the BBALEOA Officers and Directors, discussed membership and how Detention Officers can become Associate Members, discussed the Scholarship program, the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year Award. Treasurer Stephanie Elmore read the minutes from the Crane meeting in September and also gave the Treasurers Report. Norma Keeton then made a presentation concerning the ruggedized laptops and tablets for Law Enforcement and Military use. Our next BBALEOA meeting will be on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 at 7pm in Monahans, Texas at the Ward County Event Center located off of Interstate 20. Report submitted by Ed Krevit- Immediate Past President- BBALEOA.

Former Texas Ranger Captain
Bob Bullock Co. E, passed away today after a lengthy illness. Funeral details are pending.
Submitted by Ed Krevit- Immediate Past President-BBALEOA

Visitation for BBALEOA Director Gene Baker will be on Wednesday, October 18th,2023, from 5pm - 7pm at the Harkey Funeral Home in Monahans, Texas.
Services will be held on Thursday, October 19th, 2023, at 11am at the Ward County Coliseum.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Sheriff's Association of Texas in Gene's name or a charity of your choice.
Submitted by Ed Krevit- Immediate Past President- BBALEOA

The Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Officers Association is saddened to announce that long time BBALEOA Director Gene Baker has passed away. Director Baker was instrumental in the construction of the BBALEOA Memorial located on the campus of Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. He will be missed. Details concerning his funeral service are pending. Please keep Gene Baker in your prayers.
Submitted by Ed Krevit - Immediate Past President - BBALEOA.

On Friday, October 6th, 2023, I met a representative from U Construction at the Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Officers Association Memorial to finalize our business concerning the addition of a bronze name plate to the Memorial. U Construction did the construction necessary to place the bronze name plate board from Franklin Bronze Plaques on the Memorial. The name plate board cost approximately $9000.00 and the installation cost $1721.00. The new name plate board will provide space for 102 name plates. End of report.
Report submitted by Ed Krevit- Immediate Past President- BBALEOA.

The Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Officers Association will be conducting the October 11th, 2023 meeting in Valentine, Texas, at 7pm at the Community Center located near the Catholic Church by the railroad tracks. This meeting will be hosted by Constable Mike Wright - Jeff Davis County. Dinner will be served. See attached agenda.
Submitted by Ed Krevit-Immediate Past President-BBALEOA

On September 13th, 2023, at 7pm, the BBALEOA conducted a monthly meeting at the Crane County Community Center located in Crane, Texas. The meeting was hosted by Sheriff Andrew Aguilar and the Crane County Sheriff's Office. The prayer and pledges to both flags was provided by the Crane County Sheriff's Office and a fine BBQ supper with all the fixings was provided by Sheriff Aguilar. BBALEOA Officers and Directors in attendance included President Mike French, Immediate Past President Ed Krevit, Secretary Ernesto Lazcano, Treasurer Stephanie Elmore, Past President Jerry Byrne, Director Reno Lewis and Director Mikel Strickland. There were 2 Special Guests who are now new members and they were Briton Goad - FBI Midland Resident Agent and Richard Dolenger - Andrews County Sheriff's Office ( Retired Chief Deputy and County Judge). Sheriffs in attendance included
Sheriff Andrew Aguilar- Crane County
Sheriff Mike Griffis - Ector County
Sheriff Frarin Valle - Ward County
Sheriff David Criner- Midland County
Texas Rangers in attendance included
Philip Breeding - Monahans, Texas
Chance Collins- Retired Texas Ranger Chief
Jerry Byrne- Retired Texas Ranger Captain
Chief Deputies in attendance included
Chris Villegas - Crane County
Eddie Mancha- Ector County
Ernesto Lazcano - Reeves County
Many Law Enforcement Agencies were represented by the following Law Enforcement Officers:
Efrain Solla-Perez - Marfa P.D
Javier Leyva - Ector County S.O
Thomas Flores - Texas DPS- Crane
Joseph Perez - Texas DPS - Crane
Sandi Hubbard - Crane S.O.
Lieutenant Richard Dickson - Ector County S.O
Ruben Arrendondo - Crane S.O. / OXY
Bruce Williams - Crane P.D.
Mike Detrixhe - Crane S.O.
Kendal Hartman - Crane S.O.
Jeffrey Nunez - Crane S.O.
Cory Sapien - Crane S.O.
Karley Thompson - Crane S.O.
Captain Mario Nunez - Ward County
President Mike French discussed membership, the Scholarship Program, the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and Law Enforcement Agency of the Year Award. Secretary Ernesto Lazcano read the minutes from the Odessa meeting in August and Treasurer Stephanie Elmore gave the Treasurers Report. A presentation was given by 5 term Constable Shane Rapp- Comal County and Norma Keeton with Peacemaker Technologies on their ruggedized laptops, tablets and card readers. Another presentation was given by Chance Collins with CTC Gunworks highlighting their Sig Sauer weapons. The closing prayer was given by President Mike French. Our next BBALEOA meeting will be held in Jeff Davis County on October 11th, 2023, at 7pm.
Report submitted by Ed Krevit- Immediate Past President- BBALEOA

On Monday, September 11th, 2023, at 8am, I had the privilege and honor to attend the U.S. Border Patrol 9/11 Memorial Ceremony, located at the Alpine Border Patrol Station, 3003 West Highway 90, Alpine, Texas. Master of Ceremonies was Michael J. French, Acting Deputy Patrol Agent in Charge, U. S. Border Patrol and current President of the Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Officers Association. The Invocation was given by Chaplain Kevin Zimdars - U. S. Border Patrol (retired) and the U. S. Border Patrol Big Brnd Sector Honor Guard led by Honor Guard Commander Setgio Nava, presented and posted the Colors. To bring a degree of realism to the ceremony, the event was conducted at a special permanent site constructed by the U.S. Border Patrol that displays an actual piece of the World Trade Center Twin Towers which had been commemorated as a National Artifact. Master of Ceremonies Michael J. French then read the timeline concerning all the tragic events that took place on this unforgettable day. A Commemorative Wreath was then placed by the National Artifact by the Honor Guard and TAPS was played by a Honor Guard Bugler. Then the Honor Guard Flag Folding Team presented and folded a U.S. Flag and placed it in a wooden display case and placed it at the base of the National Artifact. Bagpipes were then played by the Honor Guard followed by a Flyover by helicopters from Texas DPS and U.S. Border Patrol to close the Honors part of the ceremony. Then the Closing Prayer was given by Chaplain Zimdars followed by dismissal by Master of Ceremonies French. Law Enforcement Officers from Brewster County Sheriff's Office, Alpine P.D., Texas Rangers and U.S. Border Patrol and Alpine Fire Department were in attendance as well as many private citizens including Brewster County Commissioner Jim Westerman.It was a very moving ceremony and I commend the U.S. Border Patrol Big Bend Sector for conducting the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony annually.
Submitted by Ed Krevit- Immediate Past President- BBALEOA.

Due to larger than expected attendance at the BBALEOA meeting in Crane, Texas this Wednesday night, 9-13-2023 at 7pm, the meeting location has been changed to the Crane County Northside Community Building located at 111 N. Katherine St., Crane, Texas 79731. For those interested in seeing the new Crane County Sheriff's Office and Detention Facility, a tour will be given at 6pm.
Submitted by Ed Krevit- Immediate Past President- BBALEOA.

On Monday, September 11th, 2023, at 8am, the United States Border Patrol will conduct its annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at the Alpine Border Patrol Station located at 3003 West Highway 90, Alpine, Texas. The 9/11 Memorial Ceremony will include speakers and the U.S. Border Patrol Honor Guard and the playing of Taps and Bag Pipes. In 2011, Border Patrol Agents of the Alpine Station retrieved a piece of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers, which has been commemorated as a National artifact, and displayed it for the public to view in Alpine, Texas. All Law Enforcement Officers and the public are invited.
Submitted by Ed Krevit - Immediate Past President- BBALEOA

The Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Officers Association will conduct our next regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, at 7pm, at the Crane County Sheriff's Office located at 464 NW Truck Rte., located in Crane, Texas , 79731. This meeting will be hosted by Sheriff Andrew Aguilar and the Crane County Sheriff's Office.
Submitted by Ed Krevit- Immediate Past President- BBALEOA.