Fulfilling our solemn vow to never forget, Corpus Christi Police Chief Mike Markle and the Narcotics and Vice Investigation Division Staff dedicated their newly remodeled office space to fallen Narcotics Officer Sgt. Ruben Almanza on Wednesday, June 18th. Almanza was shot while attempting to apprehend an armed robbery suspect on July 27, 1984, and died shortly after midnight the following day. His assailant was shot and killed by another CCPD officer responding to the call. Almanza was a plainclothes Narcotics Detective at the time and not required nor expected to respond to such a call.

As part of the dedication ceremony, NVID Deputy Chief H. Bowers presented Almanza’s widow, Irma, with a newly designed Detective Badge. The Police Department began issuing the distinct Detective badges in 2024 to Detectives within the Investigations Bureau, which includes NVID. Deputy Chief Bowers explained how the Detective badge number corresponds with each Detective’s individual radio call sign. Bowers informed the gathering that Almanza’s badge number 5435 will henceforth be retired, never again to be issued to any Detective within NVID. Chief Markle spoke of how proud the Department was of Almanza’s service and how honored the Department was to dedicate the building to Ruben, while reminding the family that they will always be part of the CCPD family.

Almanza’s widow was joined by two of his three daughters, his last surviving sister, grandson, and several other close family members. Almanza’s family members shared stories about Almanza’s proud service to his country as a US Army Viet Nam War Veteran, and his burning desire to become a Corpus Christi Police Officer once he returned home. His widow spoke of how much he loved being a CCPD Officer and how dedicated he was to his undercover work. Ruben, she said, had coached her to tell shady-sounding late night callers asking for “Oscar” that “Oscar” was on the road driving his semi and would call them back when he returned home. “Oscar the truck driver” was Almanza’s undercover identity, which came naturally to him, because he had been employed as a truck driver before being hired by the Police Department. His dedication to his craft and exceptional undercover skills led to several large drug busts, including the four-hundred-pound marijuana seizure Almanza is seen posing next to in a photograph on the NVID Wall of Honor that bears his name.

Also present to honor Almanza was his Police Academy classmate and fellow Special Services Division Officer, CCPD Assistant Chief (ret.) Jesse Garcia. Garcia recalled

Almanza’s “infectious smile” every time they crossed paths, but noted that “if things got heavy, you never had to look for him. He was right there.” “He was a courageous officer committed to his profession,” Garcia continued, “who had a love of God and Country that all great cops seem to have.” Above all else, Garcia concluded, “His greatest treasure, as he often said, was his family. We all miss him.”

A portrait of the man began to emerge from the many fond memories shared by his family with Almanza’s much younger NVID brothers and sisters -many of whom were not yet born on the day he made the ultimate sacrifice. It was the portrait of a good man, who loved his country and his community. A portrait of a loving husband, a treasured son and brother, and a devoted and caring father. It was the portrait of a Cop’s Cop as well. The type of Cop that always had your back. The type of Cop, who as a plainclothes Detective, didn’t have to respond to the foot pursuit of an armed robbery suspect, but did anyway. The type of Cop who wouldn’t let his fellow officers face danger alone. A Cop who, knowing all he had to lose, was still willing to stand between the evil in this world and the community he swore to protect. In short, it was the portrait of a hero. A portrait that will not soon fade.