HISPANIC AMERICAN POLICE COMMAND OFFICERS ASSOCIATION – 2013 HAPCOA AGUILA AWARDS LUNCHEON

Location:  Sheraton Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, TX
Event date:  November 19, 2013

HAPCOA, the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, established in 1973, is the oldest and largest association in the U.S. of Hispanic American command officers from law enforcement and criminal justice agencies at the municipal, county, state and federal levels. With members in agencies from across the United States and Puerto Rico, many of whom are active in local chapters, HAPCOA is a national organization with a local presence.

This year HAPCOA celebrates its 40^th anniversary with its Annual National Training Symposium set for November 18-21, 2013 at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. 

At this year’s symposium HAPCOA will hold its annual Aguila Awards Luncheon and will present its highest national recognition awards.  The 2013 Aguila Awards Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, November 19^th at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel from 11am to 1pm. Providing the keynote address at this year’s Aguila Awards Luncheon will be Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, US Army (retired).

This year’s award categories include: 

THE HAPCOA AGUILA STATUE AWARD

This award is the highest form of recognition provided by HAPCOA for exceptional contributions by an individual or an organization in support of HAPCOA’s mission and goals. Nominees exemplify the highest levels of concern for Public Safety and embody the principals on which HAPCOA was founded to promote. 

The 2013 HAPCOA Aguila Statue Award winner is Jose “Joe” Bañales, Assistant Chief of Police, San Antonio Police Department, San Antonio, TX.

THE HAPCOA GOLD MEDAL OF VALOR

The Gold Medal of Valor Award: presented to an individual, who while on official duty, performed beyond the call, exemplifying courage and boldness. 

The 2013 HAPCOA Gold Medal of Valor Award winner is Lisa Castellano, Sergeant, Detention Division, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, San Antonio, TX.

THE HAPCOA SILVER MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE

The Silver Medal for Meritorious Service: presented to an individual, who has performed meritorious work in law enforcement.

The 2013 HAPCOA Silver Medal for Meritorious Service winners include:

• Maria del Carmen Perez, Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge, Miami Field Office.
• David Ortega, Special Agent, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Quantico, VA.
• Juan Vargas, Otto Fernandez and Delfin Alvarez, Postal Inspectors, US Postal Inspection Service, Miami, FL.

THE HAPCOA BRONZE MEDAL FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Bronze Medal for Community Service: presented to an individual who has contributed to the civic projects or programs, which have resulted in the betterment of the community. 
These awards are presented annually to individuals, agencies, or departments nationwide in recognition for promoting a standard of excellence that exemplifies law enforcement’s contributions and dedication to the quality of life in local communities. This Awards Program helps law enforcement agencies nationwide and the communities they serve by redefining the concept of law enforcement and how it is routinely performed.

The 2013 HAPCOA Bronze Medal for Community Service winners include:

• Philip “Tony” Cox, Special Agent in Charge, Naval Criminal Investigative Services, Honolulu, HI.
• Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 6^th Field Investigations Squadron, Yokota Air Force Base, Japan.
• Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 2^nd Field Investigations Region, Operating Location-Bravo, Davis-Monthan, Air Force Base, Arizona.

THE HAPCOA PRESIDENT’S AWARD

New this year is the awarding of the HAPCOA Presidents Award.  This recognition award is presented to an individual or organization that has provided support, direction and guidance to the HAPCOA National President.

The 2013 HAPCOA President’s Award will be presented to:

• Major General Alfred “Freddy” Valenzuela, US Army (retired), San Antonio, TX
• Paul Magallanes, President/CEO, MAI Associates, Thousand Oaks, CA

In addition, HAPCOA sponsors will be recognized for their support, contributions and donations.  This year’s major sponsors include:

• Motorola
• Verizon
• Harris Communications
• American Military University
• The Armand Hammer Foundation
• Davila Construction, San Antonio, TX 

To achieve its vision, HAPCOA follows its mission to “empower the future of law enforcement” by assisting law enforcement, criminal justice and community organizations nationwide in their efforts to recruit, train and promote qualified Hispanic American men and women.

The 2013 HAPCOA National President is Paul J. Chapa, Chief of Police, Assistant Vice President Public Safety-Enterprise Risk Management, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX

For additional information regarding HAPCOA, its National Aguila Awards Program and its 40^th Annual National Training Symposium visit: www.hapcoa.org/annual-symposium

Anthony Chapa
Executive Director