by media | Apr 12, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, Police News
Individual arrested by Pharr police dies at hospital
The City of Pharr Police Department is reporting that an individual, Adelaido Adrian Diaz (4/5/66), was arrested last night for evading police, was declared deceased at McAllen Medical Center hospital this morning.
At approximately 11:30 pm Sunday, April 11, 2021, Pharr police patrol unit attempted to perform a traffic stop for a traffic violation. Driver Diaz kept driving and a low-speed pursuit ensued for a few minutes until Diaz eventually pulled over. Diaz was arrested for evading police and transported to the Pharr police department’s holding facility.
At approximately 5:54 am, dispatch observed Diaz fall to the ground via a video monitor, hitting his head on the ground. Jailers immediately responded and called for an ambulance. Diaz was found conscious with an obvious injury to the back of his head.
At 6:27 am, the ambulance arrived at the Pharr Police Department. According to police reports, the ambulance arrived at McAllen Medical Center at 6:56 am, where Mr. Diaz was declared deceased.
Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey stated, “Our deepest condolences go out to the Diaz family. There will be a thorough investigation led by the Texas Rangers to gather all of the facts surrounding this case as well as a separate internal administrative investigation per normal protocol. I have made myself available to the family to answer any questions or concerns they may have.”
The Texas Rangers are investigating this incident. No further information is available at this time.
by media | Apr 7, 2021 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
City of Pharr and PSJA Southwest ECHS to Host Groundbreaking Ceremony for Regional Detention Facility and Dog Park TODAY, 4/7 @ 11:30 am
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr, in collaboration with PSJA Southwest Early College High School, will host a celebratory Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Regional Detention Facility and Dog Park. The event will take place TODAY, April 7, 2021, at 11:30 am at 520 E. Saint Anne Drive (Intersection of Dicker Rd. and St. Anne) in Pharr.
“We are proud to break ground on the city’s newest project in collaboration with our partners at PSJA Southwest ECHS,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “This project will not only help improve our drainage infrastructure in the city but also serve as a recreational area and dog park for our citizens to enjoy,” he added.
The project is one of several identified in the City of Pharr’s Drainage Improvement Plan to enhance drainage infrastructure and help mitigate future flooding.
All media and the public are invited to attend. CDC guidelines will be enforced, please wear a mask.
DETAILS
WHAT: City of Pharr Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Regional Detention Facility and Dog Park
WHEN: Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 11:30 am
WHERE: 520 E. Saint Anne Drive, Pharr, TX 78577 (Intersection of Dicker Rd. and St. Anne)
by media | Apr 7, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases, News, Police News
Pharr Police Department Makes History with First Nationally Horse Patrol Certified Officers in the RGV
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department is proud to announce that four of its officers have graduated from a four-week joint-agency National Horse Patrol Certification program through the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol sector. Graduates of the program are Sgt. Max Longoria, officer Luis Cardoza, officer Gabriel Lopez, and officer Irving Segura, as well as two Border Patrol agents.
This is a history-making moment for the City of Pharr and its Police Department as these officers are the first to be Nationally Horse Patrol Certified since the creation of the Pharr Police Department in the early 1900s and the first horse patrolled police department unit in the region.
The Pharr Police Department, under the leadership of Police Chief Andy Harvey, has been working actively to introduce new, safer, innovative, and community-friendly policing initiatives.
“This marks a new direction in our history at the Pharr Police Department,” said Chief Harvey. “We are grateful to have been given this opportunity and for our wonderful partners at U.S. Customs and Border Protection for working with us on making this initiative a reality,” he continued. “Our new Pharr PD Mounted Unit will serve our community proudly and we are so proud of our officers who will lead our newest policing efforts to ensure our safety and enhance our services to the community,” Harvey said.
During the graduation ceremony, Class 20 (made up of four Pharr PD Officers and two Border Patrol Agents) proudly showcased their newly learned talents by performing a demonstration before a crowd of City of Pharr officials, family, federal partners, members of the Pharr Police Department.
Agents and officers endured a rigorous 4-week training program to successfully complete the certification course. The six graduates spent numerous hours in the classroom learning first-aid, feeding, housing, trailering, and how to properly care for the horses. As they advanced to on-the-job training, the group received instruction regarding field/river patrol, sign-cutting, riot/crowd control, and various job-related duties. The time spent with the horses allowed them to build a solid foundation and better understand the horse’s capabilities and limitations.
“This is a great responsibility and honor,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We are thrilled to be the first Police Department in the region to have a Mounted Unit and look forward to increasing the number of officers in the unit in the future,” added Hernandez. “This has been something we have been planning for a long time and we are thankful to all our federal partners who collaborated with us in making this a reality,” he said.
The Pharr Police Department Unit is expected to begin patrolling the city within the next 30-60 days. As the department’s newest policing initiative, the unit will also work extensively within the community to provide outreach, educational, and safety resources.
by media | Mar 31, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol and Pharr Police to Host Horse Patrol Graduation – Class 20
The City of Pharr Police Department and the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol will host a graduation ceremony for graduates of National Horse Patrol Certification – Class 20. The ceremony will be held at 11 am on Thursday, April 1, 2021, at the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector located at 4400 S. Expressway 281 in Edinburg, Texas.
Media availability and photo opportunities will be available at the ceremony. Media must be in place no later than 10:45 a.m. Media kindly RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected] no later than close of business Wednesday, March 30, 2021.
Below is the media advisory from the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol that we are providing as a courtesy to our media contacts:
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol and Pharr Police
Horse Patrol Graduation – Class 20
Who: Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol and Pharr Police Department
Event: Media availability/photo opportunity of RGV Border Patrol Agents and Pharr Police Officers graduating from the United States Border Patrol Horse Patrol Program
Date: April 1, 2021
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Media must be in place no later than 10:45 a.m. Media kindly RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected] no later than close of business Wednesday, March 30, 2021.
Location: 4400 South Expressway 281, Edinburg, Texas 78542
On Thursday, April 1, 2021, Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol will host a graduation ceremony for two Border Patrol Agents and four Pharr Police Department Officers who completed a joint-agency horse patrol certification. Class 20 is the second multi-agency class hosted by Customs and Border Protection. The collaboration is monumental for the City of Pharr Police Department. These officers are the first to be Nationally Horse Patrol Certified, since the creation of the Pharr Police Department in the early 1900’s.
Agents and officers endured a rigorous 4-week training program to successfully complete the certification course. The six graduates spent numerous hours in the classroom learning first-aid, feeding, housing, trailering, and how to properly care for the horses. As they advanced to on-the-job training, the group received instruction regarding field/river patrol, sign-cutting, riot/crowd control, and various job-related duties. The time spent with the horses allowed them to build a solid foundation and better understand the horse’s capabilities and limitations.
“Our new Pharr PD Mounted Unit will be very visible in our city. Our officers will be patrolling our neighborhoods and at many of our city events. I can’t wait for our community to meet them.” stated Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey. Harvey went on to say, “We can’t thank our Border Patrol enough for training our officers. We are blessed to have a great relationship with our federal partners.”
Please join us in recognizing and honoring the graduates and instructors of National Horse Patrol Certification – Class 20.
- BPA Manuel Garza Harlingen Border Patrol Station
- BPA Danny De La Rosa Brownsville Border Patrol Station
- SGT Max Longoria Pharr Police Department
- Officer Gabriel Lopez Pharr Police Department
- Officer Luis Cardoza Pharr Police Department
- Officer Irving Segura Pharr Police Department
by media | Mar 29, 2021 | Featured News, Media Releases
Pharr Police to Hold BolaWrap Product Demonstration TOMORROW, Tuesday, 3/30 @ 10am
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department invites media representatives to attend a live demonstration of the BolaWrap remote restraint product, a new law enforcement product. The demonstration will be held at 10 am TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at the Pharr Police Department (1900 S. Cage Blvd.) in Pharr.
According to the product’s website, the BolaWrap is a hand-held remote restraint device that discharges an eight-foot bola style Kevlar tether at 513 feet per second to entangle an individual at a range of 10 to 25 feet. Like “remote handcuffs,” the BolaWrap can safely & humanely restrain resisting subjects from a distance without relying on pain compliance tools. This less-lethal device is designed to provide the officer with another tool to control subjects institutions of mental health crisis and does not use pain for compliance.
“Using technology to our advantage is a must for today’s policing,” said Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey. “When officers have more options available to them, they can make better decisions, especially when it comes to using force. Anything that can potentially make both officers and our citizens safer is definitely worth considering,” Harvey added.
Media is invited to attend and participate in the product demonstration.
