Constable White’s spot needs to be filled, EPISD reacts to his death
El Paso Precinct 1 Constable Robert White’s position needs to be filled, after the El Paso County sheriffs investigators say he was killed over the weekend while working security at a haunted house.
White, 45, was not only a constable, he was a physical education coach at Putnam Elementary on the west side and a father of four children.
During Commissioners Court on Monday, County Judge Veronica Escobar honored the man she said lived to serve his community. She asked everyone to observe a moment of silence to honor White’s legacy.
“We’ve talked about it for many many years because obviously it does put the constables at risk. Many times they are using county resources, like county uniforms, county uniforms, et cetera, but their constitutional powers allow them to engage in this off-duty security detail,” Escobar said.
Moonlighting is what White was doing Halloween night at the Terror Trail Haunted House on the 400 block of Anthony Avenue in Canutillo.
El Paso County sheriff investigators who responded to an officer down call around 12:30 a.m. Saturday said they found White unresponsive. Witnesses said 19-year-old Fort Bliss active duty soldier Devon Huerta-Person punched White in the face and ran away. Huerta-Person was later arrested. He is now charged with capital murder.
“I just give my condolences to the White family. Coach was very beloved. He was here every morning helping us with duty. He was here every afternoon conducting traffic and ensuring the students safety at all times,” Putnam Elementary School Principal Cynthia Sanchez said.
White was a constable for 17 years. Now, the process to replace the elected official begins and Escobar is meeting with the county attorney’s office to figure out what’s next.
“Who appoints a successor? Is it the commissioner’s court, the county judge? Those are the questions that come next because now there’s a vacancy in that position that needs to be filled,” Escobar said.
ABC-7 is expecting White’s funeral arrangements soon. Stay with us as this story develops.
