Juan Garza
| Juan Garza, Sr. | |
 | |
| In office January 1, 1989 – December 31, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Mario Santos, Jr. |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Ricardo "Rick" Flores |
| Born | February 8, 1947 Laredo, Texas, USA |
| Died | May 22, 2020 (aged 73) Laredo, Texas |
| Resting place | Laredo City Cemetery |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Not mentioned in obituary |
| Children | Seven children: Cynthia Aguilar |
| Residence | Laredo, Texas |
Military Service
| |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
Juan Garza, Sr. (February 8, 1947 – May 22, 2020),[1] was from 1989 through 2008 the sheriff of Webb County in Laredo, Texas.
After service in the United States Navy,[2] Garza began work in 1969 as an investigator for the Laredo Police Department. Jesus R. Torres, the retired assistant police chief, described him, accordingly:
As a criminal investigator and community relations officer, he was instrumental and a pioneer on bringing new policing practices, such as his collaboration to install a Crime Stoppers program (1981) and ... an independent Police K-9 program. I think that because of his tenure at the Laredo Police Department and the Webb County Sheriff's Office, our community is safer today. … We will be forever thankful for his collaboration to better our city's and county's welfare. May he rest in peace."[3]
In 2008, Garza rounded out his career in law enforcement retiring as the police chief for the Laredo Independent School District.[2]
Sheriff Martin Cuellar, first elected in 2008, expressed his condolences; "He will be remembered in our community forever. May the Lord bless his family and help them through these difficult moments. We join together in prayer, knowing that he is forever resting,”[3] Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina remembered Garza as a faithful man who "served our county for over fifteen years. He was committed to the public safety and security of our county."[3]
Garza died at the age of seventy-three and is interred at the Laredo City Cemetery.[2]
References
- ↑ Juan Garza Obituary. everhere.com. Retrieved on May 26, 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Juan Garza. Freddickey.com. Retrieved on May 26, 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 César Rodriguez (May 23, 2020). Former Webb County Sheriff Juan Garza dies at 73. The Laredo Morning Times. Retrieved on May 26, 2020.
