Why was retiring deputy who served honorably for 37 yrs. denied hallowed sheriff’s office tradition?
SAN ANTONIO, TX, April 1, 2020 – Sheriff Javier Salazar denied a long-time department retirement tradition to retiring Deputy Chief Dennis Casillas, who was last assigned as chief over the West Patrol Division. The “sign-off” is a Bexar County Sheriff’s tradition, wherein the retiring officer is honored by being allowed to make a farewell radio call to all his fellow law enforcement colleagues.
Chief Casillas was a model deputy and led a distinguished 37-year career with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. After six years as a Detention Officer, Chief Casillas served as a sergeant from 1997 to 2005, overseeing eight different units/sections, including SWAT, Negotiations, Traffic Safety, Field Training Officers Program, Crisis and Crime Prevention, Street Crimes, and Judicial Services. Casillas was also as a part of the Violent Crimes Task Force working alongside SAPD and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Most recently, he was assigned to the newly-opened West patrol substation in 2019 until his retirement this year. In addition to his service to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Casillas also served for 12 years as a U.S. Army Reservist.
“It’s hard to understand that after 37 years of service to this community that this man would be denied the chance to say goodbye to his Law Enforcement family,” said Jeremy Payne, President of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Bexar County. “Our Sheriff should be finding ways to honor men and women like Chief Casillas the same way he promotes his own accomplishments in the media.”
The Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Bexar County (DSABC) and the men and women of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office want to thank Chief Casillas for 37 years of honorable service. Chief Casillas and all the men and women who serve Bexar County as Deputy’s should be recognized as the Heroes they are!
Contact Jeremy Payne by phone at (210) 875-8142 or by email at [email protected].