The college has lost an honorable member of its staff and alumni. EPCC Police Chief, J.R. Grijalva, died from his battle with cancer last Thursday. He was 57.
His seven years with EPCC as the Chief of Police was only the tip of the iceberg regarding his impressive accomplishments, which spanned different causes and official titles.
Before coming to EPCC, Grijalva was the Assistant Police Chief with the El Paso Police Department for 27 years, but retired before joining the college.
“He changed the department from a mediocre security department to a first class police department,” said President Richard Rhodes.
Grijalva received praised from many throughout the college.
“He was a man of impeccable ethical and moral standards. When he came here, our [police] department wasn’t where it should be. He quickly fixed that,” said Tim Nugent, EPCC vice president for Student Services.
Grijalva had a hand in numerous upgrades and improvements to the department.
“He came on board when our officers were still riding old pick-up trucks with 150,000 miles on them. Now, thanks to him, they drive vehicles that are better than some of the other
[crime-fighting] departments in the city,” said Nugent. “He has
his handprints all over our police department.”
EPCC Lt. Frank Ordaz, who will serve as interim chief until a successor is named, expressed his thoughts on his former co-worker.
“It was a tremendous loss. We saw him as a leader and mentor. He was very positive and professional about his work.”
During his time with the El Paso Police Department, Grijalva served as Interim Chief in 1998 and directed the EPPD’s Office of Special Services, which involved criminal investigations. He was also the founder of the Domestic Abuse Response Team, which was the first in the Sun City.
Grijalva was a well-known advocate of the Crime Stoppers of El Paso program and elected as a director for the El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association.
He became a member of the board of directors for the Texas Association of College and University Police Administrators and officiated at high school football games.
Not only did he get involved in organizations regarding the safety of El Pasoans, but he was also a proponent of health by being the chairman of the El Paso chapter of the American Heart Association.
He is survived by his wife, Patty, of 13 years, his two sons, Robert and Chad and daughter, LaJoi Hale.
After graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School, Grijalva then joined the U.S. Air Force and received an Honorable Discharge.
While working at the college, Grijalva attended classes as an EPCC student and in 2003, earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice.
He then gained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree last summer. Grijalva’s funeral was held at the Hillcrest Funeral Home.
On Feb. 7, the Military Interment will begin at 11 a.m. at Ft. Bliss Cemetery.
“His arrival to EPCC was a great asset to the college,” said Nugent. “He brought with him the respect that the other city agencies already had for him.”
