I joined my Corpus Christi Police Department family in 2009 as a Crime Prevention Specialist, in a civilian capacity. After working closely with officers in that position, I knew I wanted to wear the uniform and give back to the community, where I was born and raised, to make a difference. A couple of years later, I was accepted to the 70th Police Academy, which provided me the training and knowledge needed to succeed in my Law Enforcement career.

Today, my work experience has been working in patrol, then I moved to a specialized unit as a Directed Patrol Officer, and currently I am part of our CCPD Background & Recruiting team.

CCPD has allowed me opportunities to grow within the department, that has given me many positive experiences as a police officer in serving our citizens of this community. Most importantly, my experience as a female police officer has been great due to the community support, I was introduced to. My only regret is that I did not join my CCPD family sooner.

Investigator Rodriguez grew up in the Corpus Christi area and is a 23-year veteran of the Corpus Christi Police Department. During his time on the police department he has served as a Patrol Officer, Crime Stoppers Coordinator, Recruiting Officer and currently as the Background Investigations Coordinator. Senior Officer Rodriguez enjoys introducing prospective applicants to a career in law enforcement and strives to seek out the best police applicants who are dedicated to serve the citizens of Corpus Christi.

Following my dream to become a Law Enforcement Officer, I joined Corpus Christi Police Department in 2017. Since then, I have gained tremendous knowledge and experience within my patrol assignment.  This included having the opportunity to assist the Recruiting Department in searching for well-qualified applicants who share the same passion and interest in serving our community.

Investigator Simmons is a 38-year veteran of the Corpus Christi Police Department. During this time, he has served as a patrol officer, SWAT team leader, police academy instructor, recruiter, criminal investigator, and has spent 7 years as a background investigator. Senior Officer Simmons is still an active member of the Corpus Christi Police Department and enjoys assisting prospective applicants through the hiring process.

Investigator Kureska is a 33-year veteran of the Corpus Christi Police Department. During his career with the police department, he served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Peer Support Coordinator, Lieutenant in Patrol, Traffic Safety, and Criminal Investigation Division. Investigator Kureska was awarded Supervisor of the Year in 2012. Upon his retirement from the Corpus Christi Police Department, he continued his dedicated service to the department by becoming a background investigator and has served in this role since 2014.

Investigator Nancy Lee is a 30-year veteran of the Corpus Christi Police Department. During her time on the police department, she served as Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Background Investigator, DARE officer, and a shift supervisor as a Lieutenant.  During her career, Investigator Lee was awarded Officer of the month for her apprehension of 4 offenders in an armed robbery. Upon retirement from the Corpus Christi Police Department, Investigator Lee continued her dedicated service to the department by serving as a background investigator since April 2014.

Investigator McFarland is a 29 1/2-year veteran of the Corpus Christi Police Department. During his time on the police department, he served as Patrol Officer, Criminal Investigator, and Computer Forensics Specialist. Investigator McFarland also served 4 years in the Marine Corps as a Military Policeman and Investigator, and 9 years an Illinois Police Officer. He received awards from the FBI, ICE, and U.S. Coast Guard for assistance with ICAC and computer forensics investigations. Upon retirement from the Corpus Christi Police Department, Investigator McFarland continued his dedicated service to the department by becoming a background investigator. He has served in this role since 2016.

Investigator Martin Thebeau a 36-year veteran police officer, has 28 years of experience with the Corpus Christi Police Department and 8 years with the Kingsville Police Department. During his time on the police department, he served as Patrol Officer, Criminal Investigator, Field Training Officer and as a Directed Patrol Officer. Investigator Thebeau was awarded a Life Saving Ribbon as an officer. Upon retirement from the Corpus Christi Police Department, Investigator Thebeau continued his dedicated service to the department by becoming a background investigator. He has served in this role since 2014.

Captain Israel Soza Jr. began his law enforcement career in 1995 with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in San Antonio, TX. In 1998, he was employed by the Lubbock Police Department where he was assigned to patrol and specialized in traffic safety. In June of 2001, he joined the 60th Academy Class and became a police officer with the Corpus Christi Police Department. As an officer, he was assigned to patrol, gang, and traffic. During his time in patrol, he was a member of the SWAT team for nine years to include being a precision marksman and an assistant team leader. In 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he served as a supervisor in Patrol, Traffic, and Narcotics/Vice Investigations Division. In 2020, Soza was promoted to the rank of Captain and has served in this capacity in Narcotics/Vice Investigations Division, Operation’s Bureau’s Traffic Division, and currently in the Training Division as the Director of Training. Captain Soza holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Leo’s University.

Lt. Maria Huerta-Garcia has served 16 years with the Corpus Christi Police Department. Her years of service include positions in the Uniform Patrol Division, Field Training Officer, Narcotics and Vice Investigations, Traffic Division and Administration. Lt. Maria Huerta-Garcia has received numerous “Officer of the Month” nominations and acknowledgements and Letters of Recognition while in the Uniform Patrol Division. While in Administration, she served as the Department’s Accreditation Manager, before her promotion to the rank of Lieutenant in 2015 where she. She supervised in the Uniform Patrol and Traffic Division. Lt. Huerta-Garcia currently serves as the Police Academy Coordinator for the Training Division.

Senior Officer Catherine McDonald has served 21 years with the Corpus Christi Police Department. Her years of service include positions in the Uniform Patrol Division, Field Training Officer, Field Training Coordinator, and Background and Recruiting Division. Senior Officer McDonald has the following instructor certifications: TCOLE, Firearms, OC spray, Taser, SPEAR, PPCT Defensive Tactics, ICAT, Coopers Law Enforcement Fitness Specialist, and American Heart Association Basic Life Support. She currently serves as the Physical Fitness Coordinator and Instructor for the Training Division.

Senior Officer Sammy Mitchell has served 9 years with the Corpus Christi Police Department. He was a former Security Contractor/Force Protection Officer in the Middle East. Senior Officer Mitchell’s years of service include positions in the Uniform Patrol Division, Dive Team Operator, and on the CCPD Bike Team in the Crime Reduction Unit. Senior Officer Mitchell is also cross trained as a UTV and Enduro Officer. He is currently certified as a Gracie Survival Tactics Instructor and is a practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Practitioner with over 20 years of experience. Senior Officer Mitchell currently serves as the In-Service Coordinator and Instructor for the Training Division.

Senior Officer Doc Ellis has served 30 years on the Corpus Christi Police Department. His years of service include positions in the Uniform Patrol Division, DARE, Directed Patrol Division, SWAT team and as a Motor Officer in the Traffic Division. In 2016, he was awarded first place in a National Police Motorcycle Rodeo competition representing the Corpus Christi Police Department. Senior Officer Ellis currently serves as the Range Master and Instructor for the Training Division.

Senior Officer Lillian Penick has served 8 years with the Corpus Christi Police Department. Her years of service include positions in Uniform Patrol Division, Field Training Coordinator, and Emergency Response Unit. She has received numerous “Officer of the Month” and Letters of Recognition. Senior Officer Penick was recognized as the CLEAT’s Officer of the Year and has received an Honorable mention for the National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award. She also serves as a CCPD Law Enforcement Explorer Advisor for Post #133 and has received the highest recognition, the William H. Spurgeon Award, from the Boy Scouts of America for Leadership. Senior Officer Penick currently serves as the Department Armorer and Instructor for the Training Division.