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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The citizens of El Paso lost an admired law |
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enforcement professional with the passing of J. R. Grijalva, on |
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January 31, 2008, at the age of 57; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Grijalva graduated from Stephen F. Austin High |
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School and answered his nation's call to duty with service in the |
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U.S. Air Force; opting to pursue a career in law enforcement, he |
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graduated from the El Paso Police Academy in 1974; he then embarked |
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on an exceptional career with the El Paso Police Department, |
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beginning as a patrol officer and going on to fulfill assignments in |
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many other areas of the department, including traffic, the training |
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academy, detective operations, internal affairs, and airport |
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security; and |
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WHEREAS, This dedicated officer advanced steadily through |
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the ranks, receiving promotions to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, |
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assistant chief, and deputy chief, and he was ultimately placed in |
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command of the department when he was named interim chief; in |
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October of 2000, he retired from the EPPD after 26 distinguished |
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years of service; and |
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WHEREAS, He then devoted himself to a new professional |
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challenge by becoming chief of police for El Paso Community |
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College, and his skill and expertise transformed the school's |
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security personnel into a first-class police force; Chief Grijalva |
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also furthered his education during this period, earning an |
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associate's degree in criminal justice in 2003 and a bachelor's |
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degree in criminal justice administration in 2005, and completing |
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the requirements for a master's degree in 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, Chief Grijalva received numerous accolades |
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throughout his career, including three mayoral commendations and |
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recognition by the former sheriff of El Paso County and the Las |
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Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; moreover, he served as |
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director of the executive board of the El Paso Municipal Police |
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Officers Association and has been honored with the creation of a |
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permanent annual scholarship in his memory by ASIS International; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Grijalva enjoyed the |
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love and support of his wife, Patty, with whom he enjoyed 13 |
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rewarding years of marriage; he also took great pride in his two |
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sons, Robert and Chad, and his daughter, LaJoi; and |
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WHEREAS, Though his time on this earth ended far too |
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soon, J. R. Grijalva made a meaningful contribution to his |
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community through his dedicated efforts to serve and protect his |
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fellow citizens, and his integrity and achievements will be fondly |
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remembered by his family, friends, and fellow officers for years to |
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come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of J. R. Grijalva and |
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extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, |
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Patty Grijalva; to his sons, Robert David Grijalva and Chad Conley; |
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to his daughter, LaJoi Hale; to his sisters, Astrid Grijalva and |
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Suzanne Gomez; to his brother, Robert Anthony Grijalva; to his |
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in-laws, Gary and Ann Marsh; and to his other relatives and many |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of J. R. |
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Grijalva. |