Pubdate: Wed, 31 Oct 2001
Source: Bryan-College Station Eagle (TX)
Copyright: 2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle
Contact:  http://www.theeagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1132
Author: Holly Huffman

COLLEGE STATION, HEARNE OFFICERS HONORED FOR EFFORTS TO WIPE OUT DRUGS

Brazos Valley law enforcement agents gathered Tuesday to honor two of their 
peers for putting their lives on the line to fight drugs.

Robert Wilson, a detective with the College Station Police Department, and 
Vince Angele, an officer with the Hearne Police Department, were presented 
with the Enrique Camarena Award during a luncheon hosted by the Brazos 
Valley Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse.

The award honors the memory of Camarena, an agent with the U.S. Drug 
Enforcement Administration who was kidnapped, taken to Mexico and killed in 
1986 while investigating a multibillion-dollar drug pipeline.

Officers throughout the country who have proven themselves to be leaders in 
ridding their communities of illegal drugs are presented with the award 
annually, organizers said. They are nominated by previous award winners and 
their department heads.

Wilson began working for the College Station police in 1991, but was 
assigned to the Brazos Valley Narcotics Task Force from 1995 until last 
March. He was nominated for the award by the task force.

Lt. Dan Jones, spokesman for the College Station Police Department, said 
Wilson had been an "aggressive officer" when chasing drug dealers.

"If you were a drug dealer in Bryan-College Station and had Robert Wilson 
on your trail, it was only a matter of time before he would come busting 
through your door," Jones said.

Wilson said fighting drugs is not just for law agencies but must involve 
entire communities.

"I've seen it first-hand how [drugs have] affected our community," he said. 
"I've seen it destroy families right here in Bryan and College Station."

Having grown up with a brother who abused drugs and was frequently in 
trouble, Wilson said he knows first-hand the hardships drugs can cause.

Hearne Police Chief Michael Fisher said Angele has labored to rid schools 
of narcotics, alcohol and tobacco during his two years with the department. 
Angele has made 26 narcotics arrests and seized more than $28,000 in 
property, including three vehicle this year.

"He has dedicated his life to our department," Fisher said.

Angele said he volunteered to handle the department's drug dog when 
Hearne's last canine officer left the department. The dog has made a 
meaningful difference in the quantity of drugs Hearne police have taken off 
of the streets.

"It's too great a tool to lose," he said.

Angele said his drive comes from his desire to keep young children from 
using drugs.

"When you see little kids out there that are addicted to drugs, it just 
grabs you at the heart strings," he said. "You've got to do something about 
it."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens