Jim Wells, TX – Edward “Eddie” Valadez, 35, has announced for Jim Wells Constable Precinct #6. He feels that he can fill a void – a void of concern expressed by many in the community. It can be phrased in one sentence: “There needs to be more visibility and frequent visits from law enforcement in the precinct.”
Valadez – likeable, approachable, nimble-minded – said: “There are some pockets of neighborhoods in this precinct that feel so isolated. Many are raising families here. Law enforcement needs its presence here and other places to serve as a cloud of security.”
The concerns expressed by Valadez are some that are growing by the day. Valadez, who has a hefty resume in law enforcement and community service, is not a newbie to tackling tough problems. He has worked in law enforcement departments ranging from San Diego to the Jim Wells Sheriff Department (ten years) to the City of Robstown Police Department (going on two years). From the specialty of drug interdiction to solving burglaries to inspiring young students in school to elevate their grades and shape a better world – how many are the things that surface in the minds of those who have known him for a while.
Currently there is only one full-time job in the department – that is, that of the constable. This is why he feels the constable needs to religiously abide by time management and try his best to be ever-present when the occasion arises for the need of law enforcement. Valadez wants “advance safety” measures in place when the kids get out of school – this comes through meticulous planning. He wants parents to know that there will be an added hand of support to serve as a glue that a functional family should have. In youth he sermonizes daily: “schooling is the way to improve once station in life in many ways. But sometimes, there is no easy road, and many a time you have to give it 110 percent. The more you work for it, the more you will appreciate it.”
The constable serves also as an assistant to the Justice of the Peace. Sometimes functioning as a bailiff, serving subpoenas, duties of peace officer, duties of civil processor, a supportive arm for truancy programs – there are other hats a constable has to put on to fully meet his job description.
With an encouraging tenure of 15 years in law enforcement, he has learned tremendously to recognize complex patterns that might be either detrimental or positive to a community. He also wants to try and make some of the positions full-time by bringing in new monies via grants and state and federal funding for rural-like areas. “There are also monies out there for infrastructure and for recreational endeavors to keep kids out of trouble – even to make side-walks for them believe it or not. We live in progressive times. It just takes a person that is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to bring in the essential resources,” he explained. “This is where I live. This is my community. I have two step-children and a new born. In a sense it is us against the world. Either we do for our community and precinct or no one else will. I ask the people to jump in my humble band wagon of a campaign. I plan to get a lot of things done. Give me a chance.”
Where does Valadez get his entrepreneur spirit and larger cause to serve the community? Valadez does run a trucking business while off duty. He is used to solving day in and day out problems; moreover, he is used to dealing with a constantly changing environment and is able to think of his feet to make critical and judicial and wise decisions. He wants to use it to bring out the best in the community. Something optimistically charge radiates from him. As one resident put it: “It shines from him. From his face, words; it has to come from deep inside him. From his heart and soul. A native’s soul does not lie.”
Valadez, who worked in the Jim Wells Sheriff Department for about a decade and was promoted to corporal and then patrol supervisor and then canine officer and even earned quite a name working drug interdiction in the highways and later working as a narcotics investigator -- knows the limited resources he has if elected constable. He plans to use an immediate interagency approach to address the visibility issue and concerns in his precinct. He will work alongside other law enforcement agencies, encouraging regular team works and endeavors to address issues anywhere from narcotics to disruptions to traffic. The residents, the parents, those that orbit his precinct will also be his eyes and ears and conscience to help him determine what issues and concerns carry emotional weight and should be priority – a pulse and soul that every community has but is ignored sometimes due to the apathy of politicos who displace their goals.
“I have a strong background in working with other agencies in my regular duties as a peace officer. I have positive goals and thus I feel I can turn this ‘one-man” job as constable into a powerful department,” he said passionately. “I know I will have some deputies which function as part-time but with diligence and hard work and research we will have a fully functional department.
“Where does Edward ‘Eddie’ Valadez come from – what is his bio?” – some have asked. He is 35 years old and was born in La Bandera Ranch. His mom and dad and sister work for a school district in the area. Valadez – who worked both at the Orange grove High School and Jr. High as a COPS Program Officer and graduated from the Dell Mar Police Academy -- feel his work-ethic comes from his first close-knit and value oriented structure -- that is, his family of upbringing. “I was taught that a strong neighborhood, a strong precinct is a reflection of strong families --- and vice-a-versa. This is one my goals to reinforce this spirit as a constable.”
His last words echoed in the interview: “My life story clearly shows that I can do what I have said. I respectfully and humbly ask the voters and constituents to allow me that chance to serve them.”
He is married to Veronica (Valadez) and has two step-children and recently a two-month old little boy.
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