For Levelland Police Chief Albert Garcia, the opportune time has come for him to retire from the LPD after a 31-year career in law enforcement.
Following his high school graduation, Garcia had his heart set on becoming a peace officer. However, those feelings were not shared by his parents.
“They were not happy about my decision because they felt it was too dangerous,” said Garcia. “Mothers always worry about their children and she was very concerned about my decision.”
Determined to move forward with his decision, Garcia enrolled at the South Plains College and immediately hit speed bumps during his first semester.
“Honestly, I feel like I had so much respect for my parents and what I was doing did not feel right,” explained Garcia. “I probably did worse my second semester because I switched my major from Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Technology Program to Commercial Art and Architectural Design.”
Garcia explained that his mother thought he would make a better artist than police officer.
“I realized really quickly that I was nowhere near the artist I needed to be and the term starving artist would have been very true for me in this area at that time,” said Garcia.
At that point, Garcia left school and spent a year working two full-time jobs as he was determined he was not going to move back home.
“I was working at an oil change business and my parents decided to take me to lunch,” said Garcia. “I am not sure it was seeing me covered in oil and looking burned out working 80hour weeks, but it was then that my parents made me promise to be safe if I still wanted to be an officer.”
For Garcia, that is all he needed, was his parents blessing to move forward.
“I went back and played catch up for the year that I was out and took classes whenever I could in every session,” explained Garcia. “I graduated in May of 1982. I was telling someone that I owe so much to South Plains College because they did not only did they gave me the education, knowledge and the skills but they also gave me my first job.”
Starting in December of 1982 as a SPC Patrol Officer, Garcia would work until November of 1993 where he was promoted to sergeant. The first officer promoted in the history of SPC, Garcia became the number two for then SPC Chief Michael Ahrens.
“I can remember him asking me what position I wanted and at that particular time I had worked quite a bit with the Levelland Police officers and Sergeants Lennard Cox, David Corder and Joe McDowl and they all took me under their wings even though I was working for SPC,” said Garcia. “Everyone was great as they mentor me and help me through different things.”
In March of 1995, Garcia made is way to Levelland PD and worked until 2000 where he worked for the Amarillo Police Department for a little over a year before returning to the LPD.
“Amarillo was a very professional and outstanding police department, but there was something about Levelland that continued to draw us back,” explained Garcia. I think it is the people of Levelland. There are some great people here. There always has been and I know there will continue to be.”
When Garcia first left he was a criminal investigator and when he returned he found himself back in his regular position. Eager to continue working, one of the hurdles for any public safety personnel is the things that are seen or dealt with on the job.
In 2002, Garcia was a part of a tactical unit that was called out to a situation where he was injured. In the same time frame, Garcia felt that any time there was a homicide he was the lead investigator.
“At the time it seemed like I caught three homicides back-to-back-to-back and one of them was an 11-month-old baby,” said Garcia. “That with being injured in the line of duty took the wind out of my sails for a bit.”
During that specific time, Garcia felt like mental health was not addressed because it was not well understood.
“We were not really aware of the trauma individuals in the public safety sector put through,” said Garcia. “For us, we see roughly 25% or 35% more traumatic events that anyone does in their lifetime.”
Garcia explained that he could see a difference in himself and his attitude which prompted him to walk away. Calling it a selfpreservation move, it allowed Garcia to stay in tact with his family as he acknowledged he was not the best person to live with at the time facing those internal issues.
Then LPD Chief Tony Cowan maintained Garcia’s commission at the time while he was sorting things out. In 2003, Garcia took his time away to earn his bachelors degree and fully stepped away in 2004.
October of 2006, Garcia decided to return to law enforcement and became the Chief of Police for the Idalou Police Department. At that time, Garcia continued his education and received his masters degree in 2010.
One of the proudest accomplishments during his career was Idalou being the smallest department in the state that earned accreditation.
In 2015, Garcia took the chief position in the City of Littlefield for a two years before receiving a phone call from Chief Cowan who asked Garcia if he would be interested in applying for the chief position in Levelland.
In 2022, Chief Garcia was Awarded the Medal of Valor through the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement for his involvement in an active shooter event on July 15, 2021.
“It has been a great time and out of my 31 years of service, 17 years were in a chief’s position,” said Garcia. I have had the wonderful opportunity being a part of the Texas Police Chief Association and even served as president last year. Additionally, I had the opportunity to visit our state capital and meet with our state leaders and discuss legislation that involves municipalities and law enforcement within the state.”
Garcia added that none of it would have been possible without having a great support system at home and every agency he has been a part of.
“I have had the chance to seem some great police officers in my career grow and do amazing things,” said Garcia. “I have gotten to work with them and I say West Texas has a different level policing in my mind and in my opinion we are the epitome of what a peace officer should be here in West Texas. We do a great job of ensuring our communities are safe and we are doing the best job we can to ensure we do it right every day.”
For Garcia, he believes the City of Levelland has had some of the greatest officers he has been able to work with.
“Even though I am not leaving the city, I will still miss every one of these officers,” said Garcia. “Levelland has been very blessed to have some of the officers come through these doors and sometimes they do not get the pat on the backs they should. These men and women that work for Levelland put forth the best effort they can every day. It is a tough job, but luckily we have some great community members who continue to support these officers.”
For Garcia, his retirement will be effective May 31. From there Garcia will continue to be a part of the community of Levelland as he will be serving as President of the Blue and You Organization.
Garcia has also accepted a position as Dean of Technical Education with South Plains College.
A retirement celebration will be held Friday, May 31, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Studebaker Events in Levelland. Community members are welcome to attend.