San Angelo Police Department Welcomes New Officer

SAN ANGELO, TX — The San Angelo Police Department added a new officer to its team on Friday as Police Chief Travis Griffith administered the oath of office to Officer Israel Bilbo, a lateral transfer from the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office.

A 2018 graduate of San Angelo Central High School, Bilbo began his career in the oil fields before the Covid-19 pandemic halted operations in mid-2020. He then joined the Tom Green County Detention Center as a jailer, studying by night to earn his peace officer certification. By 2022, he had become a patrol deputy with the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office after completing his certification through the Concho Valley Council of Governments.

Reflecting on Bilbo’s transfer, Chief Griffith acknowledged the challenges of moving between agencies but emphasized the shared mission of law enforcement. “It’s always bittersweet when you see transfers from one local law enforcement agency to another. But in the end, we all do what’s best for our families,” Griffith said. “When you’re in this career, it doesn’t matter if you’re wearing tan, black, blue, or whatever the color may be—we’re all here to serve this community.”

During the ceremony, Bilbo’s wife, Deyna, pinned his badge on him, marking his official entry into the San Angelo Police Department.

Although the City of San Angelo offers a lateral transfer bonus to attract experienced officers, Bilbo said the incentive was not a deciding factor in his move. “This is the agency I’ve always wanted to work for,” he shared, noting that many of his mentors and heroes serve with the San Angelo Police. “Transferring here was a lifelong goal.”

With two years of law enforcement experience, Bilbo is in a strong position to advance in rank and benefit from increased pay.

Discussing the highs and lows of his work, Bilbo described the moments of uncertainty officers face, particularly when alone on a dark street. “You never know what might come at you,” he said. He also spoke fondly of his field training days, adding, “Your partner lets you make mistakes, sometimes big ones, but that’s how you learn the fastest.”

The San Angelo Police Department continues to recruit seasoned officers to fill its vacancies. For more information on transferring, visit the San Angelo Police Department website for lateral transfers.