Year in Review: September-October 2012
By: David Gonzalez
Updated: December 31, 2012
September started with a special homecoming over the Labor Day weekend. A group of soldiers received a hero's welcome as they returned from a tour of duty from Afghanistan at Wichita Falls Municipal Airport.
One of those returning, Paige Stauffer said, "It's an amazing feeling, being gone for so long to be away from your family and friends. It takes a toll on you so coming back with all the vets and flags here with your family. It's an amazing feeling. It's indescribable. It feels awesome to be back."
Labor day weekend was also filled with some sadness as the Wichita Falls Police Department mourned the sudden death of one of their own: 71-year-old retired Wichita Falls Police Major Gene Davis.
Deputy Melvin Joyner told us, "He was a very good man. he believed in integrity, honesty and those are just tow great qualities that a leader in the police department needs to make the police department the best that it could be."
Texas also saw the highest number of reported west nile virus cases ever-more than one thousand cases during the first week of September alone.
Jerry Joe Garza, the man charged with the murder of 32-year-old Monica Partida is indicted by a grand jury. His bonds total 3.5 million dollars which include two charges of aggravated assault in a separate incident. In October, Garza made headlines again-this time for lunging at one of our photographers. At this time, Garza's trial date has not been set.
October ended with a gruesome discovery at a Wichita County park. The body of Danielle Hill Alvarado was found buried at Burnett Park. Danielle's father-in-law, Robert Alvarado is charged with helping his son Jonathan Alvarado cover up the murder. Jonathan Alvarado took his own life in September 2011.
After more than 25 years with the Wichita Falls Police Department, Sergeant Joe Snyder retired. Sergeant Snyder said, "I'm so honored to have worked with the men and women of this police department that it just defies words sometimes. Snyder is now working for the archer county sheriff's office as a deputy.
And after serving as interim chief for 5 months, Manuel Borrego is officially hired by the city to serve as chief of the Wichita Falls Police Department. Borrego has more than 30 years of experience with Wichita Falls Police Department, and more than 31 years military experience.
