Texas Border Business
By Selene Rodriguez
South Texas College recently hosted the latest U.S. Border Patrol Rio Grande Valley Sector Honor Guard academy, joined by members from the San Juan and Pharr Police Departments, as well as the McAllen Fire Department.
Seventeen public safety officials completed a rigorous two-week course, earning national certification in honor guard skills and operations. This training prepares them to render honors when a fellow responder has made the ultimate sacrifice and certifies members to continue passing along time-honored traditions.
“The honor guard’s main mission is to honor the fallen, and their families. Whether on duty or retired, our honor guard participates in funerals as a form of peer support,” said Supervisory Border Patrol Agent and RGV Sector Commander Antonio Valdes. “It also takes part in events such as presenting colors, parades and other ceremonies, all focused on respect and honor.”
From classroom instruction to large-scale outdoor practice, culminating in a mock funeral, the multi-agency training took place at STC’s Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (RCPSE) in Pharr.
“We had several agents interested in becoming honor guard members, so we organized this academy and invited local agencies to certify their members at no cost,” said Valdes. “STC’s facility was ideal for both the classroom sessions and for practicing marching on their large skills pad. The college’s support in putting this class together has been incredible.”
STC’s RCPSE Site Coordinator Robert Vela Jr., highlighted the longstanding partnership between the college and the federal agency, expressing enthusiasm about hosting this training for the first time.
“Over the years, we’ve collaborated with Border Patrol on numerous projects, allowing them to witness our facility’s growth firsthand. Our expansive skills pad and convenient canopies are just a few highlights of this state-of-the-art facility,” he noted. “We take immense pride in partnering with them and other public safety agencies across the RGV, helping them enhance their skills and furthering their ongoing education.”
For San Juan Police Department Officer and recent STC Police Academy graduate Alexis Ortegon, this is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact early in her career.
“I’m excited to step in now that the previous honor guard members have retired,” she said. “I graduated in June and was hired within a month, so receiving this training is a tremendous opportunity for me to demonstrate my professionalism. I feel honored to have been chosen to represent my agency.”
She expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the chance to collaborate with other agencies and engage with Border Patrol’s training techniques, which have provided her with a deeply enriching experience.
“Every agency has its own honor guard procedures, but in the end, it all comes together in the same way,” explained Valdes. “We’re really satisfied with how this project came together, and we’re proud to assist these agencies because we want to support their growth. We’re excited to continue collaborating with STC for future trainings.”
For more information on Public Safety Training or Law Enforcement programs at STC, visit southtexascollege.edu/rcpse/ or call 956-872-4203.
