EPCSOA welcomes new members!!

On January 17th the EPCSOA and CLEAT welcomed aboard their newest members. Twenty-two El Paso County Correction Officers joined the El Paso County Sheriff's Offciers Association and CLEAT after a grueling academy. "We have one of the best Law Enforcement Academies in the State of Texas", said President Marrufo. "We are proud to have the caliber of Deputies and Correction Officers here in El Paso, and even prouder to have them members of our Association and CLEAT."

CLEAT is the only statewide organization to treat all sheriff department employees fairly. CLEAT members are full members regardless of their work assignment or whether or not they are in a certain clique within the sheriff’s department. Other statewide organizations force some sheriff deputies into the status of “auxiliary members”, charge them the same dues as other members and then refuse to allow them to vote or participate in the governance of the union where they pay dues.

At CLEAT, all members get the same protection, same legal service and are treated like valued colleagues.

Sgt. Ruben Orozco 8K Law Enforcement Torch Run/2 Mile Walk

April 10, 2011
Corner of Cincinnati and Stanton El Paso, TX

Competitive 8K Run and Fun 2 Mile Walk
8K Starts at 8:00 am 2 Mile Walk Starts at 8:15 a.m.
Start and Finish on the corner of Stanton and Cincinnati

Entry Fee:
Early Registration until April 1, 2011 $20
After April 2nd, 2011 $25
Military discount: $5 must present military id at packet pick up.
Teams of 10 or more: $15 per team member until April 1, 2011. $20 from April 1, 2011 until April 6, 2011.
Fee Includes: 100% Long sleeve Signature t-shirt

Awards: Trophies awarded to top three masters males/females and top three overall males/females. Medals will be awarded to top three finishers males/females in the following age groups: 9-under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-over

R.O. 8K Traveling Trophy Team Challenge
R.O.8.K. will be having the team challenge again this year SWAT, SRT, M.P.'S, Army, High School or any other groups that would like to take on the challenge....The traveling trophy will go to the winning team along with the bragging rights.... last years winner was the El Paso Police Department SWAT.

The RULES are as follows:
-Team will consist of (4) four members no more no less
-Team can be coed
-All team members must cross the finish line within 30 seconds of each other. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
-Any team with less than four will be disqualified.
-Team will designate a team captain/representative
-Team registrations must be turned in together and have name of team and team captiain on each form.

"R.O. 8K Largest Team tTrophy" will be awarded to the team with the most entries. All team entries must be turned in together (minimum of 10 per team is required in order to qualify for this category).

Raffle prizes and special awards will be given away at the end of race. "Must be present to win"

Proceed to benefit Special Olympics Texas

Contact: Andrea Schiechl 915.533.8229 or Mike Coulter 915.274.5222

Sponsored by: El Paso County Sheriff’s Officers Association and El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association

Texas Leads The Nation in 2010 Law Enforcement Officer Deaths

National Line-of-Duty-Deaths Are Up 40 Percent!!






Top to Bottom: The 3 most recent peace officers killed in the line of duty: Deputy Michael Schaefer, Officer Jillian Smith and Deputy John Norsworthy


By: Charley Wilkison

America's law enforcement officer deaths are at an all time high and Texas holds the sad distinction of having lost the largest number of law enforcement officers in the line of duty than any other state.

160 federal, state and local law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty during the past year according to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).

Fifty-nine officers have been shot and killed during the past year, which is a 20 percent increase over the 49 killed by gunfire in 2009. Traffic-related incidents remained the number one cause of death among the nation's law enforcement officers for the 13th consecutive year. Seventy three officers have been killed in traffic related incidents compared to 51 in 2009, representing a 43 percent increase.

"Our law enforcment officers are being asked to do more today with less, and it is putting their lives at risk," said Craig W. Floyd, Chair of the NLEOMF. "In addition to their conventional crimefighting responsibilities, our law enforcment officers are on the front lines in the war against terror here at home. Yet, there are fewer officers on the street and other precious resources, such as training and equipment dollars are also being cut as a result of the economic downtown," he said.

In addition to the officers killed by firearms or in traffic related incidents, 19 officers died as a direct result of job related illnesses, two were beaten, two drowned, two officers suffered fatal falls, two died in aircraft crashes and one died in a boating incident.

In Texas, there have been 18 line-of-duty deaths this year, 30 in the past 24 months and 1, 755 officers killed in the line of duty since statehood.

The last week of the year was one of the most deadly of 2010 with Officer Ann O'Donnell, University of Houston Police Department being killed in a vehicle pursuit on December 24, Uvalde County Deputy Micheal Schaefer suffering a fatal heart attack on Christmas Day while struggling to subdue and arrest a suspect, and Arlington Police Department Officer Jillian Smith was shot to death on December 28th while protecting a 9 year old child during a family violence incident.

The Peace Officers Memorial Foundation, the charitable arm of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas is tasked each year with developing and funding a memorial service to honor Texas fallen officers for the past bienniem at the Texas Capitol in Austin. This year the candlelight vigil will be held at the Texas Peace Officer's monument on Sunday evening, May 1, 2011 and the memorial service will be held the following day on the south steps of the state Capitol at 11 AM. The public is welcome to attend. To learn more go to www.pomf.org

CLEAT Announces Education Alliance with Capella University

CLEAT is pleased to announce an education alliance with Capella University. Through the alliance, CLEAT employees, members and their immediate family members are eligible receive a 5% tuition discount. Visit www.capella.edu/cleat to learn more!
Capella University offers a range of online bachelor’s, master’s and MBA and PhD programs through its Schools of Business, Public Safety, Education, Psychology and Human Services.

You’ll also benefit from:

CLEAT Tuition Grant $500 grant for all new students starting courses between February and July 2010.

• Capella’s Professional Development Webinar Series with new topics posted quarterly
• Capella University ’s commitment to deliver academic excellence—online
• Experienced, expert teaching faculty who are actively working in your field of study
• Flexible class schedules to accommodate your personal learning needs
• Transfer credit for prior coursework at regionally or internationally accredited institutions
• Check out our Public Safety Blog http://www.publicsafetysignals.com/

Programs that might be of interest to you:

• Criminal Justice (BS, MS, PhD and Graduate Certificate)
• Emergency Management (BS, MS and PhD)
• Public Safety Leadership (MS and PhD)
• Homeland Security (BS and Graduate Concentration)
• Forensics (Graduate Concentration)
• Security Management (Undergraduate Concentration)
• Fire Service Administration (Graduate Concentration)

For more information, visit www.capella.edu/cleat or contact a Capella University enrollment counselor at 1-888-227-9896.

Christmas Giving

The EPCSOA and it members brought some Christmas magic this year to the El Paso Transitional Living Center. The membership came together and provided enough gifts for 103 children, and 40 mothers who were all being housed at this facility. We showed up to surprise the families while they were enjoying their Christmas dinner. They were indeed surprised when Santa Clause (Liggins) walked in with his elves (association members) carrying bags full of toys for the children. After handing out the toys to the children and letting them take a picture with Santa, we handed out the gifts to the mothers who were very thankful. This is just a small example of what this association and its membership is capable of doing to help less fortune families in El Paso County. Let this be the beginning of many more heartfelt contributions the EPCSOA makes to benefit the citizens of El Paso County. The Association Board would like to thank each and every member, as well as their family members, who showed up to assist with the delivery. A special Thank You to those of you who provided gifts for the children, this was a huge success.