What Branch Of Service Officer Andrea Zendejas

El Paso police Officer Andrea Zendejas is presented the 2018 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award by Paula Mitchell, left, and Pauline Ballesteros of the El Paso Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars.

An El Paso police officer often featured on the "Live PD" television show has been named 2018 Constabulary Enforcement Officer of the Year by a local veterans group.

Northeast patrol Officer Andrea Zendejas has gained a national following by viewers of the reality policing show airing on the A&E cable network.

Zendejas was named officer of the yr past the El Paso Chapter of the Military Lodge of the Earth Wars. The patriotic veterans organization honors law enforcement annually.

This year'south awards were presented May 19 by Paula Mitchell, chairwoman of the grouping's law and order commission, and retired Lt. Col. Pauline Ballesteros, commander of the group'south El Paso chapter.

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Zendejas was chosen for an exceptional work ethic that outproduced others on her shift despite missing more 5 months in 2017 due to surgery, Mitchell said.

"She is also an outstanding field training officeholder and has been featured on 'Live PD' and held as a positive role model for female person viewers," Mitchell said.

"Live PD" viewers have commented on social media that Zendejas has a patient, approachable but firm mode in dealing with the public. The show airs Fridays and Saturdays.

Zendejas had more 60 arrests, checked 484 adults and 166 vehicles, seized four guns and her work helped shut down a bar where drugs were being sold, Mitchell said.

The winners are selected from nominations made by El Paso law enforcement agencies.

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Others awards were:

Law Enforcement Innovation Award — Officer Curtis Whitener of the El Paso Police Grooming Academy.

Mitchell said that Whitener developed a grade to ameliorate officer emotional wellness that was adopted statewide. Whitener also created a course on domestic dog behavior that has helped reduce fatal police shootings of dogs.

El Paso police Officer Curtis Whitener received the 2018 Law Enforcement Innovation Award presented by Paula Mitchell, left, and Pauline Ballesteros of the El Paso Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars.

Humanitarian of the Yr — U.Due south. Border Patrol Agent Joseph Ortiz worked with New Missions ministry building to heighten money and install drinking water wells in Haiti, Mitchell said.

Law Enforcement Units of the Year — The El Paso police Mission Valley Criminal Investigations Division/Tactical Unit and the El Paso Canton Sheriff'due south Office Major Crimes Unit were selected for their success in solving crimes.

The Sheriff's Role Major Crimes Unit has solved all its homicides in the past two years, Mitchell said.

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The Mission Valley Criminal Investigations Division handles burglaries, robberies and other crimes.

The Mission Valley team had cleared-by-arrest rates of 75 percent for robberies, 47 percentage for burglary-larceny cases and 25 percent for car burglaries, Mitchell said, citing figures submitted past constabulary.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at 546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.