Lubbock ISD Honors Four Officers For Standout Work This School Year

When you send your kids to school, there are a lot of people working behind the scenes to make sure they come home safely every afternoon. Teachers, administrators, counselors, bus drivers...and the men and women of the Lubbock ISD Police Department.

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Four of those officers are getting some well-deserved recognition for their work during the 2025-2026 school year.

Sgt. Jerry Zamora Named Lubbock ISD Officer of the Year

Lubbock ISD

Sgt. Jerry Zamora has been named the 2026 Lubbock ISD Officer of the Year, recognizing his dedication, professionalism and exceptional work protecting the district.

Zamora joined Lubbock ISD Police in 2022 and became a sergeant in March 2026. He has also served as a gang specialist, bringing experience from his previous work with the Texas Anti-Gang Center.

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Over the past year, Zamora played an important role in investigating cases involving gang activity in the district. Chief Eric Tijerina specifically praised his ability to work with other law enforcement agencies, saying those relationships have helped improve investigations and strengthen the community's response to gang- and firearm-related incidents.

Basically, he's the guy you want working the case when things get complicated.

Three More Officers Receive Commendations

Three other Lubbock ISD officers were recognized with letters of commendation.

Lubbock ISD

Officer Dale Love, who joined the department in 2022, received two commendations for his response to campus incidents during the school year. His quick and decisive actions helped prevent situations from escalating and helped protect students and staff.

Lubbock ISD

Officer Josue Alonso, who previously served with Texas Tech University Police, was recognized for his response to a potential threat at Monterey High School in December. According to the district, Alonso pursued and apprehended the suspect despite the risk to his own safety.

Lubbock ISD

Then there's Officer Joramze "JR" Rosales, who joined Lubbock ISD Police in 2024 after serving with Lubbock-Cooper ISD Police.

Rosales was recognized for his response to the February 20 incident at Lubbock High School that involved multiple threats. The threats were ultimately determined to be false, but the situation resulted in the evacuation and reunification of more than 2,000 students and staff.

Rosales helped coordinate with school administrators and multiple law enforcement agencies, assisted with the evacuation and remained behind to help search the building.

A Lot More Than Just a Badge

Lubbock ISD Police Chief Eric Tijerina said much of what his officers do happens quietly and often goes unnoticed.

Superintendent Dr. Kathy Rollo echoed that sentiment, praising the officers not only for responding to emergencies, but also for building relationships with students, serving as mentors and helping create safe places for children to learn.

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The Lubbock ISD Police Department includes 32 officers and four sergeants serving more than 40 campuses and locations throughout the district.

So congratulations to Sgt. Zamora, Officer Love, Officer Alonso and Officer Rosales. In a city that puts a lot of faith in its schools, these four Lubbock officers are showing exactly what it means to put that responsibility first.