Honoring HSI Special Agent Jaime Zapata on the Anniversary of his Death

Tomorrow, February 15, 2012, marks the one-year anniversary of the attack on ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents Victor Avila and Jaime Zapata while they were on official duty in Mexico. Thankfully, Victor survived the attack, and he proudly continues his service with ICE. For Jaime, February 15, 2011, was the last day of his life.

The anniversary of Jaime’s death is a time for all of us at ICE to pause, reflect, and honor our fallen colleague. We invite all ICE employees nation-wide and around the globe to join in a moment of silence at 2 p.m. At ICE headquarters we will also remember our fallen colleague in a memorial ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m. in the Julie Myers Conference Center. I encourage all ICE employees who are able, to attend this event at ICE headquarters.

PCN employees will be able to view this event through a closed circuit TV broadcast. To access the cable channel, use the number keys on your TV remote, select 3-1 then enter. If you cannot access this channel you will need to rescan your television using your TV remote. To rescan, first select “menu” then “TV channel” and then “scan.”

While we remember Jaime at ICE headquarters, Director Morton and HSI Executive Associate Director Dinkins will be in Brownsville, Texas, with Jaime’s family, friends, and our ICE colleagues at a barbeque to honor Jaime.

Kumar Kibble
Deputy Director

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

For a low income family, there are few things worse than coming home three days before Christmas and discovering that all the presents you bought for your four young kids as well as those donated by the Salvation Army were stolen.

Jessica Fernandez and her husband both work at the Family Dollar. They were at work Thursday morning when thieves broke in through a window and stole all the presents as well as the kids Nintendo DS video game system, a laptop and clothes.

“I spent all my money to do this in two pay checks like working and all that stuff, and they do that,” said Fernandez.

“I wanted to cry for her,” said Brenda Britt. “She’s worked so hard for this. She’s been doing it for the last couple months just to prepare for Christmas for the four boys she has.”

The evening began with no gifts under the Fernandez Christmas Tree, and Jessica trying to figure out how to explain the ordeal to her children.

But that was before she received a surprise visit from two neighborhood organizations.

When members of the Latino Peace Officers Association learned what happened to the family, they wanted to do something about it.

“These are donations from all the police officers and other organizations that actually help us out,” said Lt. Ruben Martinez.

The officers came with lots of toys, and they had one more surprise before they left.

“We also have a $100 gift certificate so you can use either Sears or Kmart ,” said Lt. Martinez.

“Thank you so much, I really appreciate it,” said Jessica. “I know they’re gonna have a good one.”

Judging by the smiles on their faces, Jessica and her boys were very surprised.

But the Fernandez family had another visitor shortly afterwards.

“We’re from the Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center,” said Nickea Rowe. Her organization heard about the stolen gifts and left a few surprises of their own.

Jessica was overwhelmed and moved to tears.

The family went from no presents under the Christmas tree to lots and lots of toys.

Thanks to the Latino Peace Officers and the Lutheran Neighborhood Care center, it will be a very Merry Christmas for the Fernandez family.

Last year we visited over (50) schools, and spoke to nearly 30,000 students, teachers and educators. I want to challenge the membership to continue the message of reading and academic development, and potentially get each chapter to purchase a small quantity of books, go to their local schools in need, and donate back to them on the NLPOA behalf. Those chapters that provide the most enthusiasm and activity would get an “Author visit/author book signing” (from myself and my son) – to conduct a presentation to a local elementary school, or community function – at our expense. Our presentations consist of the following:

1. Author/Illustrator backgrounds.
2. Emphasize the importance of creativity and imagination, as well working hard to be the best you can be. Examples of what hard work can do for you, role modeling and “not giving up on oneself”.
3. Student interaction with a drawing demonstration (Kids love this!)
4. Explain how “a story becomes a book”…
5. Conduct a reading of our book.
6. Question/Answer Session
7. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the book would go back to the NLPOA for their Youth and Community Programs.

Please visit our website at www.miramontesbooks.com for more information.

Regards,
Art Miramontes

December 12, 2011                            VIA E-MAIL: nlpoaprez [at] gmail [dot] com

President

National Latino Peace Officers’ Association

Dear President:

The City of Dallas plans to administer an assessment center for the rank of Police Sergeant.

We would like very much to have prospective assessors from your organization for this assessment center.

Police Sergeant Assessment Center (January 30 – February 3, 2012):

The Sergeant rank is the beginning level command officer position responsible for direct supervision over special police functions to which assigned, or assisting in details of supervising a major police function.

●Assessors should be at the rank of police sergeant (or equivalent) or above and have at least two years of experience at that rank

●Assessors will need to arrive on Sunday evening, January 29, 2012 and depart on Saturday morning, February 4, 2012

●Training will take place on January 30-31, 2012

●Approximately 30 – 45 assessors are needed (tentative).

Especially desired are individuals who have worked as assessors in assessment centers. We encourage the involvement of women and minority assessors. Your assistance in furnishing one or more assessors would be greatly appreciated.

Assessors will have their travel, lodging, and meals paid by the City of Dallas. I will serve as the primary contact person for potential and confirmed assessors. The alternate contact person is Arnold Watkins (214.670.3334 / arnoldwatkins [at] dallascityhall [dot] com). Please provide the enclosed assessor agreement form to any person(s) interested in serving as an assessor. They should return the form as soon as possible but no later than Friday, January 6, 2012.

You may contact me at (214) 670-3752 or michelle [dot] hanchard [at] dallascityhall [dot] com if you need additional information or have any questions at all. Many thanks in advance for your kind consideration.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Michelle Hanchard

Michelle Hanchard            

Assistant Director

Civil Service Department

c:    Patricia Marsolais, Secretary-Civil Service Board

    Arnold Watkins, Sr. Human Resources Analyst – Civil Service Department