Odessa Police Department

Girl Scout Cookie Delivery We're thrilled to share some sweet news! Girl Scouts Troop 512 has generously donated boxes of their delicious cookies to the Odessa Police Department. Their thoughtful gesture not only brings smiles but also shows appreciation for our local law enforcement officers. Thank you, Troop 512, for spreading joy and gratitude in our community!

Bustin for Badges Raises $560,000 Today, law enforcement officers from Odessa Police Department, Ector County Sheriff’s Office, Midland Police Department and Midland County Sheriff’s Office came together for the 11th annual ‘Bustin’ For Badges’ check presentation. Bustin’ for Badges is an annual sporting clays tournament. All proceeds raised benefit local law enforcement agencies! Since its establishment in 2014, the tournament has raised more than $4 million for our local heroes. Each agency received a $140,000 check to spend on equipment that isn’t covered in their agency’s budget. Odessa Police Department plans on using its funds on equipment like technology and officer safety. “It is just amazing to see how much support the community gives local law enforcement, and it is nice to know we’re appreciated,” OPD Corporal Steve LeSueur shared.

2024 Odessa P.A.L. Summer Camp Concludes The 2024 Odessa Police Athletic League Summer Camp recently ended and OPD would like to thank all of the volunteers and sponsors for making it a success! This year’s 4-week program consisted of 87 youth and several officers. OPD has hosted the Police Athletic League 28 out of the last 32 years and continues to be an active member of the National Association of Police Athletic Leagues. The program utilizes athletic and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between police officers and youth. The youth participate in baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, kickball, dodgeball, swimming, and bowling. The Odessa Police Department recognizes the need to interact with the youth of our community and provide a positive environment for them.

Neighborhood Watch Meeting – C.R.A.S.E. Training Join OPD on Tuesday, June 25th at 7pm in the OPD Classroom, located at 205 N. Grant. A Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Event (C.R.A.S.E.) Training will be taught. C.R.A.S.E. trainings are conducted by OPD on a regular basis to businesses and churches seeking more knowledge about how to prepare for an active shooter situation. They also provide an assessment of where you stand in terms of preparation and what steps you can take to improve overall safety.

Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Memorial The Odessa Police Department Honor Guard recently attended the Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Memorial at Sul Ross State University. This special ceremony pays tribute to West Texas law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Honoring Fallen Heroes The Odessa Police Department had the privilege of sending 4 Honor Guard members to the 36th annual National Law Enforcement Memorial held in Washington D.C. At this year’s vigil, 282 fallen officers were read aloud and added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial. OPD Honor Guard participated in the Candlelight Vigil and Wreath watch. This memorial is a reminder of the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and the dedication and risks of law enforcement officers nationwide.

OPD Officers Volunteer in Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Texas Summer Games Five officers from the Odessa Police Department recently participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) in support of the Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) Summer Games, held in San Antonio from May 16-19, 2024. Their participation is part of a global effort to champion acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. This past year, the LETR has successfully raised an impressive $1.25 million for SOTX, furthering their mission to foster a more inclusive and accepting society. The officers proudly ran the 2.8-mile final leg of the Torch Run, joining law enforcement officers from across the state to support the athletes. During the Summer Games, the officers took an active role in various events. They cheered on the athletes from the ECISD Goal Busters during the soccer tournament, showcasing their support and encouragement. The officers also volunteered to assist with Track and Field events, taking on responsibilities such as timekeeping, award presentations, and organizing athletes for their respective events. One of the most meaningful aspects of their participation was acting as Unified Partners during the FUNdamental Sports events. These events are designed for athletes who, due to their skill and/or functional abilities, are unable to participate in traditional Special Olympics sports competitions. The inclusion of Unified Partners as one-on-one assistants allows athletes and officers to develop lasting friendships and provides an enriching experience for all. The officers' involvement in the Summer Games also served as valuable preparation for hosting the upcoming Fall Classic with the City of Midland. This experience allowed them to gain insights and understand what to expect as they plan and organize a Torch Run for the Fall Classic. The participating officers were: • Lieutenant Caleb Lacey • Corporal Marshall Williams • Detective Gabriela Carrasco • Officer Destiny Jones • Officer Kurt Williams The Odessa Police Department remains committed to supporting Special Olympics Texas and its mission.

OPD Corporal Talks About Life After Being Injured On the Job “The passion for the job brought me back.” Whitney Branch has worked for the Odessa Police Department for almost a decade. She loves what she does, and it was always her dream to work in law enforcement. In 2016, she suffered an injury on the job. While trying to catch a suspect, she and some other officers were on the side of a police car. When that vehicle turned, she fell off and suffered a traumatic brain injury, and injured her airway. Whitney went on light duty at the department until 2021 when she was fully released. Since then, she has been back on patrol work showing she still has what it takes. “Being able to still do patrol work gives me the determination to stay healthy and active,” Whitney said. “I am proving that even though I got hurt, I can still do this job!” She also gets the determination from her mother, who was chronically ill her entire life but remained strong. So, Whitney never takes for granted how much she overcame the injury. Whitney tells us she loves Odessa and loves serving its citizens. Due to her injury, she is very passionate about physical fitness. She helps lead daily workouts for many detectives and OPD employees. Whitney believes to serve the community well, you have to be at your best. Thank you for everything you do, Whitney and all other OPD officers!

Neighborhood Watch Meeting – Emergency Preparedness Join OPD for the next Neighborhood Watch Meeting on Tuesday, May 28th at 7pm in the OPD Classroom. We will cover Emergency Preparedness, discuss how to create emergency plans for various scenarios such as natural disasters, fires, and medical emergencies, including evacuation routes and emergency contact information. We hope to see you there!

National Police Week The Odessa Police Department Honor Guard is currently in Washington D.C. for National Police Week, which goes through Saturday, May 18th. This week is set aside to recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement, including local law enforcement that have been killed in the line of duty. The public is encouraged to replace their porch lights with blue bulbs during National Police Week.