SAN ANGELO, Texas — The San Angelo Police Department announced the retirements of three of its leaders Tuesday.
Chief Frank Carter, Assistant Chief David Howard and Lt. Mike Hernandez have served more than 30 years individually, a news release from Lt. Tim Pucci said, and Howard's career span is half a lifetime - 35 years.
Carter joined the SAPD in 1992, while serving in the Texas Army National Guard. He was promoted to master patrol officer in 1994. At that rank, Carter served in the patrol division and the K-9 unit. In 1996, he was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard and was promoted to sergeant the following year.
He was promoted to lieutenant in 2003 and served as a patrol commander, CID commander and Lake/airport and K-9 unit supervisor. Carter ran for police chief and won a runoff in 2016.
He is retiring after 31 years of service.
In a social media post, Carter said it's time for he and his wife to travel and do some fishing.
Lt. Mike Hernandez is retiring after 33 years with the SAPD.
He served several years in the US Marine Corps, as well. Hernandez joined the department in 1990. Serving in the gang unit. he worked to combat gang-related crime and pursue gang members. In 2004, he was promoted to sergeant, and served in various units and divisions. He led the department's SWAT unit for many years.
In 2010, Hernandez was promoted to lieutenant. In 2014, he attended the FBI National Academy, joining less than 1% of law enforcement officers who are accepted. He ran against Carter and two others for police chief in 2016. Hernandez ran for police chief again in 2024 against two fellow officers.
RELATED: Travis Griffith wins police chief runoff, Mike Hernandez likely to retire from San Angelo PD
Howard has served the SAPD and the community for 35 years, receiving numerous awards and commendations as a K-9 officer, task force officer, narcotics detective, sergeant, lieutenant and assistant chief.
He joined the department in 1988, starting in the patrol division. In 1994, he tested for and obtained the rank of master peace officer and became a K-9 officer shortly after his promotion. He also served on the Rio Concho Multi-Agency Drug Enforcement Task Force and as a narcotics officer and was promoted to sergeant in 2001. In 2010, he was promoted to lieutenant and served in Community Services, Patrol and in the Criminal Investigation Division. He was appointed to assistant chief in 2016 by Carter and managed the department's support divisions. Some of his notable achievements include managing the department's records management system, securing funding for body-worn cameras, implementing loyalty pay for every officer and assisting in securing numerous grants related to technologies that have directly enhanced the capabilities of officers.
Travis Griffith will take his oath of office as the new SAPD chief Wednesday morning.
