SAN ANGELO, Texas — UPDATE (1:40 p.m. July 10): The San Angelo Police detective under investigation for driving while intoxicated has resigned from the department.
Former Det. James Hernandez resigned July 8, the SAPD said.
Hernandez was arrested July 5, 2024, which prompted an immediate internal review. He served with the department for 17 years.
The San Angelo Police Department said it takes such matters very seriously and the actions of one officer do not reflect the values or conduct of the department or its other officers. The department remains committed to transparency and accountability.
ORIGINAL STORY (July 5): A San Angelo Police detective was arrested early Friday morning after being stopped by a Texas DPS trooper.
According to an SAPD press release, at just before 1 a.m. Friday, San Angelo Police Detective James Hernandez was booked into the Tom Green County Jail for driving while intoxicated (second).
A Texas Department of Public Ssafety trooper with conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Hernandez, 54, which resulted in the arrest.
Subsequent to this arrest, the San Angelo Police Department has opened a formal internal investigation with the Office of Professional Standards.
SAPD Chief Travis Griffith held a press conference at the police department Friday morning to address the arrest.
"Just like anybody else, there's no difference between a citizen versus with one of our personnel, that everyone is afforded due process under the law, and that they're innocent until they're proven guilty to that process," Griffith said. "If these allegations are found to be true, I will say this: that there will be firm but fair discipline there."
Hernandez, a 17-year veteran of the San Angelo Police Department, was off duty when the incident occurred.