Police lieutenant reflects on 20 years with HISD

When Lieutenant James Bridges graduated from Jones High School back in 1984, he never thought he would one day return to the district as a police officer. But that is precisely what happened on March 3, 1993—and 20 years later, Lt. Bridges still stands behind his decision.

“When I graduated from the Police Academy in December of 1992, I had to decide between serving the municipal side or a school district,” he explained. “And I just felt I had something I could give back.”

Lt. Bridges, who has served as both a campus officer and one of the one of first feeder-pattern patrol officers, says one of the highlights of his career was getting to work with Reginald Felder (retired), the campus officer he knew while a student at Jones High School. But the best part of his job is still interacting with students.

“There is nothing greater than seeing some of the kids you had contact with in their younger years and what they have become,” he said. “I’ve had some come up to me and say, ‘I remember you. You were my campus officer at such-n-such school, and you told me this.’ A lot of them remember one of my quotes, ‘The decisions you make now will dictate your future.’ And now, they’re police officers or lawyers or doctors. It’s good to see that, because as a school district police officer, you’re more than just a police officer. We act as an extension of the home, as father figures, as counselors, as principals…we wear many different hats.”

Many other HISD employees are also marking milestones this week—see if you know anyone on this list:

35 years

• Melba Bedford, teaching assistant, Fondren MS

25 years

• Delfina Salinas, clerk, Benbrook ES

20 years

• Jaime Dedios, teacher, Rodriguez ES
• Maria Garcia, plant operator, Construction and Facility Services
• Stephanie Walton, instructional coordinator, Roberts Elementary

15 years

• Dilma Argueta, custodian, Lamar HS
• Deloris Living, stadium and equipment technician, Athletics

10 years

• Teodoro Alatorre, crossing guard, Herod ES
• Michelle Chan, teacher, Herod ES
• Immacula Firmin, teaching assistant, Bell ES
• Mary Hayes, attendant, Food Services
• Dominga Hernandez, attendant, Food Services
• Flor Ortiz, evaluation specialist, Child Study
• Judith Richardson, teacher, Herod ES
• Lizzette Rodriguez,  attendant, Food Services
• Ronald Toliver, mechanic team lead, Transportation
• Laura Torres, attendant, Food Services
• Kathy Valentine, attendant, Food Services
• Israel Walker, crossing guard, Tinsley ES
• Zabidi Yusoff, senior applications developer, Technology & Information Systems

5 years

• Barbara Baltazar, teacher, Pin Oak MS
• Martha Blancarte, attendant, Food Services
• Rose Charles, teacher, Garcia ES
• David Dillman, associate teachers
• Marsha Foster, teacher, The Rice School
• Mosetter Fuller, attendant, Food Services
• Reyna Harvey, teacher, Liberty HS
• Diana Hinojosa, teaching assistant, Almeda ES
• Elizabeth Hinojosa, teacher, Ashford ES
• Lisa Miller, teacher, Horn ES
• Maria Ortega, attendant, Food Services
• Roberto Vanegas, plant operator, Askew ES
• Fernando Vasquez, repairer, Construction and Facility Services
• Micah Wilson, associate teachers

Check back next Friday for more March Milestones – and if you know someone who should be featured in this space, let us know at info@houstonisd.org. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees.