Sheriff’s Candidates To Debate On ABC-7

EL PASO — A brief listing of the Democratic candidates running for sheriff of El Paso County.

Carlos Leon served 29 years in the El Paso Police Department. He attained the rank of Police Chief in 1999. During his tenure, El Paso was named the second safest “large” city in the nation and one of six “Safer Cities” for improving its crime rate. Under Leon, the police department received the International Association of Chiefs of Police Community Award.

According to his website, Wilkins was endorsed by the late Leo Samaniego. “He has the qualifications and commitment to not only keep the Sheriff’s Office on track but take it to the next level,” Samaniego said. Wilkins started his career in law enforcement in 1976 working for at the FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C. as a fingerprint expert. He was hired by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in 1980. After graduating from the FBI Academy in 1984, Wilkins was promoted to lieutenant. In 1995, he made the rank of captain.

Ramirez is the current Chief of Police in Sunland Park, New Mexico. He worked more than 20 years in the El Paso Police Department. During his tenure with the police department, he commanded the Region Valley Regional Command Center. The native El Pasoanis a graduate ofthe FBI National Academy. He received a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration from Sul Ross State University.

Patio served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1975 to 1981, then served in the Navy Reserves for more than 27 years. Shortly after his active-duty tour, Patio became a Metropolitan Police Office with the Honolulu Police Department. He later worked withthe United States Marshals Service and served as a Marshal in Hawaii , Washington D.C. , Seattle , Albuquerque and El Paso. He retired from the U.S. Marshals last year and is currently employed as the Director of Special Projects for Emerald Correctional Management. Patio earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Chaminade–Honolulu and dual master’s degrees in criminal justice and political science from Sul Ross State University.

Dempsey recently retired from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Investigation, where she served more than 32 years. She was the first Hispanicwoman to become an Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the ICE Office of Investigations in El Paso.The native El Pasoan received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies/Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and a Master of Science Degree in Management from the School of Business and Technology at Webster University’s Fort Bliss campus.

Garcia served as director of field operations for the El Paso sector of the Customs & Border Protection agency. He was appointed to the position in 2003 when the agency was created by the Department of Homeland Security. He served in the U.S. Border Patrol prior to his directorship as well as serving in the Army, including a tour in Vietnam. Garcia earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas–El Paso and he attended Sul Ross University.

Carrillo served with the El Paso Police Department for 24 years before retiring as a sergeant. She currently teaches criminal justice part-time through the University of Phoenix. In the past, she served as an instructor and co-facillitator for courses offered by the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives or NOBLE. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. She attended both the University of Texas–El Paso and El Paso Community College.

Ryals is a lieutenant with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office who is assigned to homeland security. He has worked with the sheriff’s office for nearly 30 years. Prior to working in El Paso, Ryals served as a fingerprint technician with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington, D.C. office. He attended both the University of Texas–El Paso and Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, VA.

Serna served with the El Paso Police Department for 32 years, including 20 as a lieutenant. He was a lieutenant when he retired. As a lieutenant, Serna held a commander position of variou groups including Tactical Commander, Crime Scene Investigation Commander and Narcotics Commander. He is a long-time resident of the Socorro area with his wife and a graduate of Ysleta High School.

Wiles served as Chief of Police for the El Paso Police Department until his retirement in December, 2007. He served with the police department formore than 20 years. Prior to his police service, Wiles served as a firefighter with the El Paso Fire Department. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas–El Paso and went on to earn his master’s degree from Sul Ross State University.

Almonte served as Deputy Chief of the El Paso Police Department and was the commander of the Narcotics Section. He served for 25 years with the department, helping to implement the Hotel/Motel unit and Stash House unit. Almonte earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and has continued to provide narcotics training to officers throughout the nation.