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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 858
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In Memory |
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of |
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J. R. Grijalva |
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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 |
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High School and answered his nation's call to duty with service |
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in the United States Air Force; opting to pursue a career in law |
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enforcement, he graduated from the El Paso Police Academy in |
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1974; he then embarked on an exceptional career with the El Paso |
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Police Department, beginning as a patrol officer and going on to |
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fulfill assignments in many other areas of the department, |
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including traffic, the training academy, detective operations, |
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internal affairs, and airport security; and |
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WHEREAS, This dedicated officer advanced steadily through |
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the ranks, receiving promotions to sergeant, lieutenant, |
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captain, assistant chief, and deputy chief, and he was ultimately |
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placed in command of the department when he was named interim |
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chief; in October of 2000, he retired from the El Paso Police |
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Department after 26 distinguished 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 |
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Grijalva also furthered his education during this period, |
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earning an associate's degree in criminal justice in 2003 and a |
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bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration in 2005 and |
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completing 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 |
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International; 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 |
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fondly remembered by his family, friends, and fellow officers for |
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years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st |
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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 |
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wife, Patty Grijalva; to his sons, Robert David Grijalva and Chad |
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Conley; to his daughter, LaJoi Hale; to his sisters, Astrid |
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Grijalva and Suzanne Gomez; to his brother, Robert Anthony |
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Grijalva; to his in-laws, Gary and Ann Marsh; and to his other |
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relatives and many friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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his family, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so |
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in memory of J. R. Grijalva. |
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Shapleigh |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on May 6, 2009, by a |
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rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |