Four Lubbock ISD Police Officers Recognized for Exceptional Service to District & Community - Mix 100.3

Four Lubbock ISD Police Officers Recognized for Exceptional Service to District & Community

Four Lubbock ISD Police Officers Recognized for Exceptional Service to District & Community

Lubbock, TX – Four officers from the Lubbock Independent School District (Lubbock ISD) Police Department have been recognized for their exceptional service and dedication to the district during the 2025-2026 school year. Of the officers, three received letters of commendation and the fourth was named as the district’s 2026 Officer of the Year.

“As Chief of Police for Lubbock ISD, I am extremely proud of the officers who serve our district every day,” said Chief Eric Tijerina. “They work hard to keep our students, staff and schools safe, and they do so with professionalism and a commitment to those they serve. Much of what they do happens behind the scenes and often goes unnoticed, but their efforts make a difference in our schools every single day.”

Tijerina said that while he expects all of the department’s officers to perform their duties at a high level, there are times when an officer goes above and beyond what is asked of them.

“When that happens, it is important to take the time to recognize their efforts and thank them for their outstanding service,” he said. “Today, I am honored to recognize several officers whose actions reflect the very best of our department and their commitment to the safety of our school community.”

Lubbock ISD Superintendent Dr. Kathy Rollo also expressed her gratitude for the department and its officers as they work to keep the district community safe.

“Whether it is building relationships on our campuses every day, serving as role models and mentors to our students, or responding to potential threats or tense situations, our officers set the bar for K-12 policing,” Rollo said. “They are in this line of work because they care deeply about others, and because they know how important it is that our children have safe spaces to learn, grow and become the best versions of themselves. We are thankful for their courage, their leadership and their dedication to our district, and we commend them on a job done incredibly well, every day.”

The officers recognized for the 2025-2026 school year are as follows.

Sgt. Jerry Zamora named Officer of the Year

For his outstanding contributions, unwavering dedication and exceptional performance with the Lubbock ISD Police Department, Sgt. Jerry Zamora has been named as the department’s 2026 Officer of the Year.

Zamora joined the Lubbock ISD Police Department in 2022 as an officer and has served as a sergeant since March 2026. During his tenure, he has also served the district as a gang specialist. Before joining the department, he served as a deputy with the Texas Anti-Gang Center.

Throughout the past year, Zamora was instrumental in the successful investigation and resolution of cases involving gang activity within the school district. He is recognized for his professionalism, integrity and proactive approach to policing, as well as his attention to detail and commitment to protecting the people within the district, which has significantly contributed to maintaining a safe educational environment and the prevention of threat escalation.

Tijerina said Zamora’s work exemplifies the highest standards of law enforcement and reflects positively upon himself, the Lubbock ISD Police Department and the profession as a whole.

“Sgt. Zamora’s greatest strength is his ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with partner agencies. Recognizing that complex criminal investigations often require a coordinated effort, he has fostered productive partnerships with numerous law enforcement organizations,” Tijerina said in the commendation letter. “Through these collaborations, Sgt. Zamora has enhanced information sharing, improved investigative outcomes, and strengthened the collective response to gang-related and firearm-related incidents affecting our community. His leadership has not only contributed to the successful resolution of critical cases but has also helped build trust and cooperation among agencies working toward the common goal of protecting our schools and community.”

Officers Alonso, Love and Rosales receive letters of commendation

Three officers received a total of four letters of commendation for the 2025-2026 school year.

Officer Dale Love, who received two letters, joined the Lubbock ISD Police Department in 2022. Before joining the department, he served as a marshal with the Lubbock City Marshal’s Office.

Love is recognized for his outstanding actions, hard work and dedication to the students, staff and community of Lubbock ISD for his response to campus incidents during the 2025-2026 school year. Tijerina said his swift, decisive and courageous actions have helped keep students and staff safe and have prevented the escalation of threats or situations on campus.

“Your professionalism, vigilance and dedication to the safety of the students and staff of Lubbock ISD are commendable,” Tijerina said in the commendation. “Your professionalism and commitment to the safety of Lubbock ISD students bring great credit to yourself and reflect the highest standards of law enforcement service.”

Officer Josue Alonso, who joined the department in 2023, received one letter of commendation. Before joining the Lubbock ISD Police Department, Alonso served as an officer with the Texas Tech University Police Department.

Alonso is recognized for his actions in addressing a threat at one of the district’s campuses last year. In December, the Lubbock ISD Police Department received reports of a possible threat at Monterey High School. Tijerina said when the suspect approached the school, Alonso acted courageously and without hesitation in pursuing and apprehending the individual, despite the risk to his own safety.

“Your decisive actions directly resulted in preventing a potentially serious threat to the safety of students, staff and the community,” Tijerina said in the commendation. “Your professionalism, courage and commitment to the safety and security of Lubbock ISD students and staff reflect greatly upon yourself and the department, and exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement service and dedication to duty.”

Officer Joramze “JR” Rosales, who joined the department in 2024, also received one letter of commendation. Before joining the department, he served as a patrol officer in the Lubbock-Cooper ISD Police Department.

Rosales is recognized for his actions related to the incident at Lubbock High School on Feb. 20. The incident included threats that were ultimately found to be false, but that led to the evacuation and reunification of more than 2,000 students and staff.

After being informed of multiple potential threats to the campus community, Rosales immediately coordinated with campus and Central Office administrators as well as law enforcement officers from several departments to secure the campus and surrounding neighborhood, evacuate the school to Central Office for reunification.

“During the loading of the buses, you stayed vigilant and communicated with other officers and agencies to ensure the students and staff were safely loaded for transportation to the reunification site,” Tijerina said in the commendation. “After the students were moved off campus, you stayed and assisted in searching the building for any suspicious devices. Your decisive actions kept all the students and staff safe during this incident. Your professionalism and commitment to the safety of Lubbock ISD students and staff bring great credit to yourself and the department. Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication.”

About the Lubbock ISD Police Department

The Lubbock ISD Police Department and Safety Services strives to uphold the oath to serve and protect the school district and the Lubbock community while fulfilling its mission of ensuring a safe and secure environment for teaching and learning. The departme