Episode 32 Dallas Police Drone Unit Member Crystal Almeida #10932: In Remembrance of Rogelio Santander #10934

“Just don’t give up….” 
Dallas Officer Rogelio Santander
End of Watch: April 25th, 2018
On April 24, 2018, two rookie officers responded to police call for service at a nearby Home Depot to begin their shift. This call had no detailed information and most likely was a shoplifter detained by a loss prevention officer.   These two officers were classmates in the academy, the best of friends, and partners, no matter how brief. They were embarking on their career as Dallas Police Officers. One survived this incident, one did not. Officer Rogelio Santander was shot and killed in that small loss prevention office by a detained suspect. The loss prevention officer, Scott Painter, was left critically wounded.  Officer Crystal Almeida, Rogelio’s partner, survived after suffering a crippling gunshot wound to her head.
The bravest of souls chose to share her story of partnership, survival, and recovery with our listeners. She begins with her humble upbringing in El Paso, the start of her career in the Texas Prison system and getting hired by Dallas Police Department in 2014. Crystal describes her journey from the academy to Northeast patrol where she reunited with Rogelio.
Officer Almeida has been awarded the Medal of Valor, Police Shield, and the Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She is a Star of Texas and Theodore Roosevelt Award recipient and was selected as the Adaptive Training Foundation Athlete of 2019. Under this chest full of medals is an enormous courageous heart of service.
This episode frames the special connection endeavored in police partnership. Crystal’s determination will ignite your conqueror spirit. Her kinship with Rogelio will clench your grasp on divine connection. She came to the microphone to dauntlessly bolster the memory of her friend, Rogelio. Her wife, Samantha Baquera, joined Crystal in our studio to fearlessly share the reality of perseverance and healing.
The ATO Bridging the Divide podcast released Episode#32 on April 24th as a remembrance of Officer Rogelio Santander, #10934, and how the memory of his smile continues to embrace Crystal.
This episode is hosted by Misty VanCuren and special guest host Detective Angela Arredondo. Angela is a 24- year veteran with the Dallas Police Department. She played the vital role as the lead detective in the Special Investigations Unit by interrogating the suspect on this incident subsequently leading to a conviction. 
www.adaptivetrainingfoundation.org
Acronyms/Phrases:
MDC-Mobile Digital Communicator
CAD-Computer Aided Dispatch
AIS- Administrative Investigative System
Gang Cards-Used by DPD to document contact with gang members that notes identifiers of the individual being affiliated with a gang in Dallas.