Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING SANTA CRUZ SHERIFF MARCO ANTONIO ESTRADA, SR.
______
HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 23, 2020
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Santa
Cruz County Sheriff Marco Antonio Estrada, Sr., for his decades of
public service to Nogales, AZ. The only Hispanic and longest serving
Sheriff in the State of Arizona is retiring after a combined career of
over 50 years in law enforcement.
A native to Ambos Nogales, Sheriff Estrada was born in Nogales,
Sonora, Mexico. In December of 1944, his family immigrated to the
United States and made their home in Nogales, Arizona. Sheriff Estrada
grew up from humble beginnings, and his family often struggled to put
food on the table. With a tremendous work ethic, drive, and self-
education through avid reading, he overcame poverty.
Sheriff Estrada's law enforcement career began in 1966, when he first
joined the Nogales Police Department as a radio dispatcher. He
continued to move up the ranks with promotions to Desk Sergeant, then
serving as Captain from 1978 up to his retirement in 1991.
In 1992, he decided to continue his public service career and ran for
The Office of Santa Cruz County Sheriff. He was elected and sworn in on
January I, 1993. Since then, Sheriff Estrada has been re-elected for
seven consecutive terms and is finishing his ``last rodeo'', as he so
famously called it, with a distinguished legacy of service to Santa
Cruz County. A proud immigrant himself, he always promoted the welfare
of immigrants and is an advocate for the border town. One of his most
notable accomplishments was the construction of a new sheriff's
department and county jail named after him: ``Tony Estrada Law
Enforcement Center.'' His long exemplary career in law enforcement
counts mainly accolades; however, as our country currently faces
tensions between communities and local law enforcement, his greatest
accomplishment could arguably be the longstanding positive relationship
maintained between the local law enforcement agency and its community
under his leadership. As a Sheriff who made it a point not only to
enforce the law with strength, but to also enforce the law with
compassion, empathy, integrity, dedication, commitment and passion,
it's understandable why residents identify Marco Antonio Estrada, Sr.,
as a Sheriff who truly reflects the values of their small border town.
Sheriff Estrada publicly defended those values and the people of Santa
Cruz County against those who would demean the community.
Sheriff Estrada also understood the importance of serving and giving
back to his community after hours. He actively volunteers his time to
many community-based organizations that include: United Way of Santa
Cruz County (serving as a spokesperson for over three decades), the
Boys and Girls Club, the Nogales Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club, Way of
the Heart Promotora Institute, Nogales Elks Lodge, is a lifetime member
of the Fraternal Order of Police, and has always supported charitable
organizations.
Congratulations on a job well done and time well served. He is a hero
to his family and community and an example of good policing. There will
never be another Sheriff Estrada, Sr., but the bar has been set high
for The Office of Santa Cruz County Sheriff.
____________________
