Missouri City’s Finest Hosts Special Ceremony to Recognize Promotions, New Hires

a special ceremony held at the Missouri City Community Center on Nov. 15, the Police Department honored officers who were promoted and recognized several recent hires, including members of the new Burglary and Auto Theft “BAT” Team. A badge-pinning ceremony for those who were recently promoted included relatives and Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald. After a reading of the highlights of each officer’s career, they received their badges to honor the occasion. 

“It’s really great that family members see the environment we have in Missouri City,” Chief Fitzgerald said. “It’s reassuring to family members to know that their young men and women who put their lives on the line are working for a competent and professional organization that really cares about them.”

Those honored for recent promotions were:

Captain Brandon Harris

Sergeant Russell Terry

Sergeant Melissa Hill

Detective Andrew Robb

Telecommunications Supervisor Theresa Lyde

Mayor Allen Owen spoke on behalf of the City Council Members present—Bobby Marshall, Don Smith, Robin Elackatt and Floyd Emery—and praised the sacrifices that police officers make on a daily basis.

“We know it’s a huge commitment to you and your family, and we also know the risks you take every single time you walk up to a car or go into a building,” Mayor Owen said. “So thank you for your dedicated and loyal service.”

Asst. Chief Mike Berezin saluted members of the Burglary and Auto Theft Team, which was formed in September.

“One of the major issues impacting crime in Missouri City is auto burglaries and auto thefts, and these officers were hand picked as self-starters,” Berezin said. “Since the formation of the BAT Team, auto thefts have decreased 20 percent over the previous year, and auto break-ins have declined 20 percent. Seven stolen vehicles have been recovered, seven auto theft suspects have been arrested and over $60,000 in stolen property has been recovered.”

Members of the BAT Team are:

Sergeant Saul Luera

Detective Marcus Montemayor

Detective Caleb Rule

Officer Matthew Schlosser

Officer Jazton Heard

The BAT Team is funded through the Texas Automobile Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority, which includes the salaries for one detective and two officers. City Council authorized the department to apply for the grant earlier this year.  

And, new hires were also welcomed aboard during the ceremony. They include:

Officer Stanley Lewis

Officer Joseph Lewis

Officer Ivory Lartigue

Officer Allan Montoya

Telecommunications Officer Mikosha Phoenix

Telecommunications Officer Tracy Vives

Telecommunications Officer Andrew Sonnier

Telecommunications Officer Ashley Rogers

Telecommunications Officer Bryan Rivera

Telecommunications Officer Christina Barnes

Telecommunications Officer Lakeesha Frazier