ASIS Law Enforcement Officers of the Year Nominations

We recognize the law enforcement officers nominated for our 34th Annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony.

Federal Agency Category

Special Agent Joel JuVette, Homeland Security Investigations (Selected Distinguished Federal Agency Category Officer of the Year)
Special Agent Joel F. JuVette is currently assigned to the Child Exploitation Group, which is one of the most active and impactful groups in the HSI San Antonio field office. From January 2023 to present, SA JuVette federally arrested 19 child predators, and assisted in the arrest of 14 additional child predators. During this same time, SA JuVette’s hard work has led directly to the identification and rescue of 10 victims of exploitation who had not been previously identified. Many of his cases span multiple years from the time the lead comes in, to the final sentencing of the defendant.  SA JuVette has had several of these multiple year cases that spanned over 2003 resulting in a 25-year federal jail sentence of the largest distributor of child sexual abuse material in the state of Texas and a 14-year federal jail sentence of another individual for sexual exploitation.  SA JuVette also assists the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in victim identification efforts.

Task Force Officer David Neal, Drug Enforcement Administration  
Task Force Officer (TFO) Neal is a San Antonio Police Officer that is and has been assigned to DEA for the past 3.5 years. TFO Neal has become the subject matter expert on investigating cases regarding Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death or Serious Bodily Injury.  Because of this, TFO Neal is called upon by agencies across the region to assist departments in their investigations. In May 2023 TFO Neal was contacted by a local department regarding Mark Stool who was a suspect in three fatal Fentanyl poisonings and one non-fatal Fentanyl poisoning.  TFO Neal began his investigation by reviewing the cellular phones of the victims, in which he was able to confirm Stool as a distributor of Fentanyl.  TFO Neal was able to obtain a search warrant for the STOOL residence, and during the execution of the warrant, agents located both Fentanyl and Methamphetamine. STOOL later pled guilty to four counts of Distribution of Fentanyl resulting in Death or Serious Bodily Injury. 

Special Agent Jamie Bushur, Federal Bureau of Investigation
From October 2022 to March 2023, and from November 2023 through February 2024, Special Agent (SA) Jamie Bushur selflessly led her team as the Acting Supervisory Special Agent for the group overseeing Violent Crime, Gangs, and Transnational Organized Crime for the FBI San Antonio Field Office. 
SA Bushur also successfully managed one of the highest priority investigations - Operation No Lyft. For this complex investigation, SA Bushur was the author and affiant for five Court-Ordered Title III wiretaps. The case has produced over 14 arrests, and approximately 60 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 20 kilograms of methamphetamine (liquid and crystal), and over $265,000.00 in bulk cash have been seized thus far.

Large Law Enforcement Department Category

Deputy Sheriff Mario Tirado, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (Selected Distinguished Large Agency Category Officer of the Year and Officer of the Year)
On May 2, 2023, Deputy Tirado and Deputy Valadez responded to a disturbance call for service.  When they arrived, they were met by a frantic female who stated her husband was going to kill her.  Deputies Tirado and Valadez then saw and heard the husband charging an AR15 inside the home.  Deputy Tirado extracted the wife from danger but was then trapped by a fence a few feet away.  The suspect pursued and began engaging both the wife and Deputy Tirado while Deputy Valadez returned fire.  Deputy Tirado selflessly shielded the wife from danger while he cleared his service weapon which had jammed.  Deputy Tirado cleared the jam and fired on the suspect, ending the threat.  

Trooper Erick De Leon, Texas Department of Public Safety
Trooper Erick De Leon has demonstrated proactive and investigative skills that resulted in the apprehension of 140 criminal suspects. Among these arrests were individuals in possession of 5.1 grams of Methamphetamine, 24 grams of Cocaine, 83.92 grams of Tramadol, 176 grams of Cough Syrup, 1 pound of THC products, and 4 pounds of marijuana. Additionally, his efforts led to the seizure of 10 weapons, recovery of 3 stolen vehicles, and locating 2 missing persons.  Particularly noteworthy is Trooper De Leon’s pivotal role in the arrest of a convicted child predator, which resulted in the seizure of over three thousand images containing child pornography. Trooper De Leon is also a fitness enthusiast, ensuring he is always prepared for duty.  

Officer Nicholas Swain, San Antonio Police Department
On October 19, 2023, Officers Nicholas Swain and Santiago Vizcarra were dispatched to a residence due to a family disturbance.  They were the first officers on-scene, and the suspect began to shoot at them from inside the residence with a high powered long-gun. Officer Vizcarra was immediately struck by gunfire in his upper left arm. Officer Swain initially had cover near his patrol car but left cover to assist Officer Vizcarra who had been injured.  After leaving cover Officer Swain immediately suffered gunshots to his right hand/arm, as well as his left thigh.  He was able to drag himself back to cover near a patrol car as Officer Vizcarra opened fire on the suspect, distracting the suspect from further engaging Officer Swain.  Both officers were extracted from the immediate scene by other responding officers and the suspect surrendered to police shortly afterward. Officers Swain and Vizcarra were each transported from the scene for emergency medical treatment.  Thankfully, Officer Vizcarra has since recovered well from his injuries and has returned to full duty.  Officer Swain’s injuries were much more extensive, including substantial damage to his right hand and forearm involving nerve and tendon damage.  He is still recovering from these injuries and continues treatment and therapy to improve functionality of his left leg and right arm.  Officer Swain’s selfless and heroic attempt to assist Officer Vizcarra early into the response is in keeping with the highest traditions of valor and selflessness in law enforcement.  His courage and sacrifice are to be commended.  

Small Law Enforcement Department Category 

Officer Eric Smith, Converse Police Department (Selected Distinguished Small Agency Category Officer of the Year)

Investigator Ericka Lowe, Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office
Inv. Lowe was assigned to investigate a vehicle fire in January 2023 in a white Kia Optima. After arriving at the scene, she quickly determined this was an arson investigation based on her review of the surveillance video. During the video review, Inv. Lowe was also able to develop a suspect profile. Inv. Lowe's dedication was crucial during this investigation as she was able to connect the suspect to 10 open investigations that included burglaries, thefts of vehicles, arson, deadly conduct, and armed robbery. Inv. Lowe’s patience during the suspect interview was critical, allowing the suspect to provide false information. Inv. Lowe showed the suspect the evidence she obtained in which she was able to secure a confession from the suspect. The suspect was charged, and he took a plea deal offered to him for eight years of probation. Recently, the suspect was involved in a rash of aggravated robberies and thefts in Round Rock, Texas, and eventually extradited to San Antonio for violating his probation and having four outstanding felony warrants.

Lieutenant Ruben Elizondo, South San Antonio ISD Police Department

Investigator Stephania Velazquez, Southwest ISD Police Department
Inv. Velazquez has been employed with SWISD Police Dept. since February 2020. On the evening of October 30, 2023, Inv. Velasquez received a call of a possible school shooting threat. It was reported that the suspect openly shared earlier that day with his school social worker that he did have access to firearms in his home. Inv. Velazquez formulated a plan to locate and intercept the suspect at his residence. The mother said her son was being seen at school for thoughts of suicide but became angered when he discovered his parents would be called to pick him up. Inv. Velazquez’s calm approach to the situation led to a successful de-escalation with the suspect and his family members. The suspect was able to be detained without incident. Inv. Velazquez's determination to protect her community, this incident could have had devastating effects on the school district and our city.

Military Law Enforcement Category

Special Agent Sirenna Marindeleon, OSI 11th Field Investigations Squadron (Selected Distinguished Military Organization Officer of the Year)
SA Sirenna Marindeleon is currently assigned as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. This 16-person detachment is currently understaffed by 33%. As such, SA Marindeleon expertly managed a 137% case increase since calendar year 2022 and drove results for her unit's wing-level distinction as OSI Large Detachment of the Year 2023. Notably, SA Marindeleon screened an anonymously posted suicide note on social media frequented by young airmen. Faced with no identifying details, she cross-referenced four law enforcement databases and triangulated Internet forum usernames against online profile details, where she ultimately narrowed the hits to geo-locate and identify a distressed Airman in crisis. Her prompt communications led the relevant command team to locate and intervene with the at-risk Airman who admitted the ideation and accepted mental health intervention. Because of SA Marindeleon, that young Airman is alive and thriving in the Air Force. OSI 11th Field Investigations Squadron ultimately recognized her leadership and efforts as the 2023 Non-Commissioned Officer and the Special Agent of the Year.

Staff Sergeant Alejandra Serna, 802D Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sergeant Alejandra Serna is currently assigned as an Emergency Control Dispatcher for the largest non-nuclear Security Forces Squadron in the Air Force. During 2023, SSgt Serna coordinated the dispatch of over 50 law enforcement units to address over 630 emergency incidents, ensuring the security of the Air and Space Forces' sole Basic Military Training program, graduating over 36,000 recruits in the last year. Alejandra's swift decision-making and unwavering moral standards ensured the round-the-clock security of over 52 protection level resources, spanning three geographically separated areas across 10,700 acres (roughly twice the size of San Antonio International Airport), and protected a diverse community of 24,000 active-duty members, 10,000 DOD civilians, and 11,000 contractors and family members. Additionally, SSgt Serna serves as a physical training leader and trainer, dedicating over 13.5 thousand aggregate hours to 62 members. Finally, her efforts directly influenced her unit, processing the third-largest criminal caseload in the Air Force and the highest in Air Education and Training Command, exemplifying her unwavering commitment to service and protection to the community, Security Forces, and the United States Air Force.

Master-at-Arms First Class, Branden Halbach, Naval Technical Training Center, Lackland
Master-at-Arms First Class (MA1) Branden Halbach is currently assigned as an Instructor at the Naval Technical Training Center at Lackland. MA1 Halbach was hand-selected to lead military, civilian, and contractor instructors in executing 1,920 hours of instruction. Additionally, he overhauled outdated facilities and personally constructed an eight-room, 3,600 sq. ft. tactical training environment that enhanced foundational skills and saved the Navy over $90k in construction costs and implementation six months faster than contracting. With the benefit of the new facility, he implemented new Airsoft Tactical Trainer tactics and developed tactical training videos within the curriculum, which improved the realism and complexity of the training. This act alone completely recalibrated and reaffirmed the quality of the MA rating and training received. Due to his outstanding work ethic and understanding of the instructional need for Navy Security Forces to succeed worldwide, he was selected as the Naval Technical Training Center Lackland Instructor of the Year for 2023.

Sergeant Garrett Davison, 502D Security Forces Squadron
Sergeant Garrett Davison is currently assigned as Police Supervisor at Fort Sam Houston. SGT Davison leads 34 military and civilian police officers managing Texas's highest military criminal case rate. In April 2023, SGT Davison identified a vehicle emitting an odor of marijuana attempting to access Fort Sam Houston. Additionally, he discovered an individual hiding in the backseat of the vehicle. Further investigation revealed the hidden individual had previously been barred from all Joint Base San Antonio installations due to prior felony convictions of aggravated assault, multiple drug-related charges, and possession of firearms, including involvement in a shooting. During the stop, SGT Davison found three plastic bags of marijuana and mushrooms. Additionally, the vehicle was found to have been stolen from Houston, TX. SGT Davison effectively led five Police Officers and coordinated follow-on responses with the U.S. Criminal Investigation Division, Houston Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. SGT Davison's actions resulted in the successful conviction of the suspects and ensured the safety of the 31,000 residents and employees who live and work at Fort Sam Houston.