ALICE (Kiii News) -
Since the July 22 shootout between rival gangs in Alice, the police department has really kicked their efforts restore order in the community into high gear.
In fact, since a shooting on Nayer Street that left four people dead, the Alice Police Department, working with other agencies, has made some 85 arrests. Now, amidst all of this activity, the police chief is retiring.
Chief Danny Bueno said his decision to retire has nothing to do with what has been going on in Alice in recent weeks.
"My family and I have been talking about it since January, and being able to retire is something that a lot of people dream of," Bueno said. "And it's time for me to spend time with my family. My kids and my grandkids."
Bueno said he was actually planning on announcing his retirement the very week that the gang shootout took place, but when that happened, he decided to wait. There was a lot of important work to be done.
Bueno has been with the Alice Police Department for 35 years. He started as a patrolman and worked his way up to chief. He served as chief for nearly 12 years, making him the longest serving police chief in Alice's history.
At 58 years old, Bueno says he was blessed to have had the staff and the officers he's had, and he's grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the citizens of Alice.
"I recall being able to participate as a patrolman, as security for the governor that came and cut the ribbon at the new City Hall. So we've been here a long time," Bueno said. "We've seen it all. We've done it all. We've been involved in it all. Since I took chief, there's no murder unsolved, no armed robberies unsolved, and that means a lot to me."
Bueno said he will stay on as chief until the end of the year, and that he wanted to announce his retirement early enough to give the City ample time to search for a candidate. This isn't the last you will hear from Bueno, as he plans on running for office in the future.
