SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) —Donald Fernandez was appointed as the new Chief of Police for the Sonora Police Department on Sept. 17.

According to a press release from the City of Sonora, Mayor Jaunita Gomez announced the appointment following a three-month recruitment process that brought various applicants across the state of Texas.

As Chief of Police, Fernandez expressed in an interview his plans to strengthen community relations and officer support. "I would like to get the agency a little bit bigger, perhaps adding a coup;e more officers through grants and incentives," said Fernandez. "If my guys aren't happy, the citizens we serve won't be happy either."

Born in Del Rio, Fernandez graduated from Del Rio High School in 2001 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly after, completing combat training at Camp Pendleton and serving with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines at 29 Palms, California.

After ending his enlistment during the Iraq war from 2003 to 2005, Fernandez returned to Del Rio, where he later joined the Del Rio Police Department in 2007. Holding many positions including Honor Gaurd, Detective and Field Training Officer. He also served in the Army National Guard for two years, earning an Army Achievement Award.

Before joining the Sonora Police Department, Fernandez transferred to the Garland Police Department, where he was a field training officer and most notably a member of the SWAT team.

News Source : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/local-news/iraq-war-veteran-becomes-chief-of-police-in-sonora/