Bowie teacher dies while in custody of Hudspeth County Sheriffs

Students and staff at Bowie High School are mourning the loss of one of their teachers.

The Hudspeth County Sheriff’s office tells ABC-7 56-year-old Robert Flores died at the Hudspeth County jail Tuesday evening after being arrested for public intoxication.

Sheriffs tell ABC-7 they don’t know why he died.

The El Paso Independent School District confirmed Flores worked at the district.

After hearing the news Bowie students and staff gathered to remember the teacher and friend.

“We are going to miss him a lot,” said sophomore Karen Lopez.

Lopez says what many are feeling at Bowie high school.

“It was really sad. I was literally crying,” said Lopez.

Students who huddled in the cold told ABC-7 they remember their teacher Mr. Flores.

Student Cynthia Escamilla remembers Flores as a teacher who pushed them to do their best.

“He’s always going to be remembered for his hard work,” said Escamilla.

EPISD officials said Flores worked with the district 20 years, twelve of those as an English teacher.

Flores’s co-workers like Rashel Rosas told ABC-7 he always worked at being a better teacher.

“Mr. Flores was a very very dedicated teacher. He was impassioned about educating students. He’s somebody I highly respected. It’s a difficult loss for us,” said Rosas.

“I think right now is the awe and shock,” said Bowie assistant principle Gina Villava.

Villalva says losing Flores is like losing a family member.

“He was a great person and he is going to be missed,” said Villalva.

Villalva told ABC-7 counseling services will be set up for students and staff.