Law enforcement from all over Texas comes to help in Uvalde

UVALDE, TX — Law enforcement from across the state of Texas is showing up in the town of Uvalde in the days following a deadly shooting at Robb Elementary School.

All of their cruisers were lined up in rows in the Garner Field airport parking lot on Saturday.

“So I’m with the Ingram Police Department,” Constable Mario Ruiz said.

“I’m a lieutenant with the Hempstead Police Department,” Lt. Noel Shelton said.

As of Saturday afternoon, 57 agencies and more than 180 officers were in the city to help after the shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead.

“Without a doubt, I wanted to come here for the officers. Now that I’m here, I’m overwhelmed by the community,” Lt. Shelton said.

Sergeant Adrian Ruiz and Chief Homer Delgado of the Dilley Police Department led efforts to bring the departments here. They issued a call to action with the Texas Association of Chiefs of Police.

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“He called us back and said, ‘Are you all ready for what I’m sending?’ and we said, ‘yes please do it. Please send them,'” Chief Delgado said.

Uvalde County Emergency Management made airport space available for headquarters, and a local college offered to provide housing for officers.

Bexar County Emergency Management donated a trailer for the expedition, as did Medina County.

Other agents from other departments are still on the way. Some will replace officers who have been here for several days already.

For some who have arrived, it’s more personal.

“I was made aware of an active shooter situation happening at my primary school. So it hit me close to home when I heard about it and I immediately knew where I wanted to be when I I had the opportunity to be here,” said officer Mario Ruiz. He was born and raised in Uvalde.

“My children were also in this school, so I understand how those families felt who didn’t know it,” the sergeant said. said Adrian Ruiz.

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They are all here for the same reason – to take charge and allow the community, the people, their time and their resources to mourn, cry and begin to heal.

“I don’t want it to be about us and what we do with each other for them. It’s about them and preventing this from ever happening again,” Lt. Shelton said.

The law enforcement mission is called Operation Coyote Over Watch. It’s in honor of the school’s mascot.

sergeant. Ruiz said the departments will stay in the city for as long as needed, no matter how long it takes.

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