ABILENE, TX — Abilene Police Officer Santos Perez has been honored for his lifetime of service by Governor Abbott. Perez passed away in early June after a brief illness.
According to KTXS, Officer Perez’s family was presented with a U.S. flag that flew over the Texas State Capital on June 15 in his honor.
Officer Perez was born in California but graduated from high school in Rotan. Perez joined the Army after high school and served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1972-1975.
In 1975 Officer Perez joined the Snyder Police Department and began a decades-long career of public service.
Perez graduated from the Abilene Police Department Academy 20 in 1977. During his 33 years at APD Perez left a lasting impact in the department,
Perez was a found member of the SWAT team and a Field Training Officer training and mentoring new officers.
in 2004 Perez was awarded the Life Saving Award for saving a citizen from a burning vehicle.
Officer Perez is the only officer to be honored as Abilene Police Officer of the Year three times.
Perez retired from APD in 2010 but continued working as a background investigator that helped select future recruits.
Perez was a graduate of Western Texas College and Hardin-Simmons University.
Perez is survived by his wife of 43-years, Gloria Bryand Perez, a daughter, and two sons.
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