Police veteran Richard Perez promoted to captain Monday

Cecilia Perez pins a new badge onto her husband, Capt. Richard Perez's chest Monday during a promotion ceremony at the Mitchell Recreation Center in Gallup. During the ceremony Clinton Weatherspoon was also promoted to the rank of lieutenant. (Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent)

Staff Report

GALLUP — Gallup Police Department Lieutenant Richard Perez was promoted to Captain on Monday in a mid-morning ceremony among a crowd of colleagues and family members.

The 15-minute ceremony occurred at the Larry Brian Mitchell Recreation Center rather than the municipal courtroom located at the Gallup Police Department to allow for more standing room.

Bleachers full of local police officers, from the Gallup agency as well as the sheriff's department and state police, and emergency response personnel watched as Perez was pinned as the most recent captain of the department.

"I've been blessed with wonderful friends, family and a wonderful wife," Perez said.

Perez recited an oath of office as read to him by municipal court judge Linda Padilla.

"Promotions are always a good thing for everyone," Police Chief Sylvester Stanley said in introducing Perez to the crowd. "...He certainly deserves this."

Refreshments were served following the promotion as officers congratulated the newly-promoted Perez.

Perez is a veteran of the Gallup Police Department. He is married to wife Cecilia and has two children attending college at ENMU in Portales.