Bravery, dedication: El Paso police honor officer, detective of the year for 2023
An El Paso police officer lauded for his "remarkable bravery" and a homicide detective who has "exemplified outstanding dedication" were recently honored as recipients of the El Paso Police Department's top annual awards.
Officer Gabriel Sanchez was honored as 2023 Officer of the Year and Detective Esteban Villalobos was named Detective of the Year for 2023.
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The accolades were presented by Police Chief Peter Pacillas during the department's annual awards ceremony on April 19. Several other awards and medals were also presented at the event.
El Paso Police Officer of the Year 2023
Officer Sanchez of the Pebble Hills Regional Command Center has earned a reputation as an unofficial leader among his fellow officers, leading by example and showcasing a quick response to critical situations, an award summary stated.
"Displaying remarkable bravery, Officer Sanchez often places himself at the forefront of volatile situations, prioritizing the safety of his fellow officers without hesitation," stated the police awards summary.
In 2023, Sanchez and his partner successfully subdued a suicidal person, averting a potential tragedy, officials said. Last summer, Sanchez handled a call where a man threatened to stab a postal worker delivering mail, which turned into a SWAT situation, and, in a separate case, swiftly arrested a suspect fleeing from a shooting.
EPPD Detective of the Year 2023
Detective Villalobos was described by the department as a key member among the detectives of the Crimes Against Persons Unit who has been instrumental in solving complex cases with dedication, keen observational skills and instincts.
Villalobos' "unwavering commitment to duty and community safety, coupled with his exceptional investigative abilities, have been invaluable in bringing closure to challenging cases and ensuring justice for victims," a summary stated.
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In 2023, Villalobos "played a pivotal role" in the investigation of the Cielo Vista Mall shooting and was instrumental in the discovery of a missing woman's body and the arrest of her now-convicted killer, officials said. Villalobos was also credited for his quick actions that resulted in an arrest that helped stop a child abduction attempt last year.
EPPD Unit of the Year 2023
The Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, known as ICAC, was recognized as the Unit of the Year for its work protecting children and investigating disturbing cases involving child pornography and child sexual abuse material.
The ICAC Unit is part of a West Texas cybercrime task force working alongside U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and other agencies.
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The unit was honored for its dedication in the face of emotionally difficult investigations into complex computer crimes involving victimized children.
In 2023, detectives with the ICAC handled 177 cases, resulting in eight residential search warrants and 33 arrests, police officials said.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso police honor officer, detective of the year 2023
