The city of Plum Grove held its regular city council meeting on Monday, Aug. 12, at the Plum Grove Volunteer Fire Department, which included a special pinning ceremony for the newly appointed Chief of Police, Frank Longoria, and the newly promoted Sgt. Monica Palacios.
The event was initially scheduled for July 8, but was postponed due to Hurricane Beryl. The ceremony marked the second time in an officer’s career that a badge is awarded — first at police academy graduation and then upon promotion.
The Plum Grove Volunteer Fire Department was filled with guests, including local law enforcement and community members. Notable attendees were Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader, Pct. 6 Corporal Randall Walter, Pct. 6 Corporal Courtney Lee, Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Haley Reed, Harris County Pct. 2 Sergeant Leo Cardenas, former dispatcher Lesa Hegman, retired Liberty County DA assistant Joe Warren, and the entire Plum Grove City Council.
The meeting began with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the American and Texas flags. Former Plum Grove Police Chief and current Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brandon Frazier addressed the audience as Chief Longoria stood before them.
“It is with great pride and honor that I stand before you today to take part in this important ceremony. The badging of a police officer, especially a Chief of Police, is a moment of great tradition and significance. In many ways, it is the modern-day equivalent of a knighting-a public acknowledgment of authority, responsibility, and the trust that the community places in the individual,” Frazier said. “Frank Longoria, the chief of police badge is not just a symbol of a position. It is recognition of the commitment to lead with integrity, to serve with honor, and to protect with unwavering dedication. This badge represents the authority granted by the city, but more importantly, it symbolizes the trust and confidence being placed in you to guide the police department and ensure the safety of the community.”
Frazier then pinned the Chief’s badge on Longoria, underscoring the responsibilities that come with the position.
“Chief Longoria, as I present you with this badge, know that it is a symbol of the great responsibility you now carry — a responsibility to lead, to serve, and to protect with the highest standards of ethics and honor,” Frazier said.
After Longoria was pinned, he introduced Sgt. Monica Palacios, whose daughters, Alexis and Victoria, pinned her badge during the ceremony.
“It is my pleasure to promote Monica Palacios to sergeant, as she has demonstrated a deep commitment to our community and is truly a community-oriented police officer,” said Longoria.
As guests anxiously waited to congratulate both Longoria and Palacios, the rest of the council meeting had to continue. Discussions covered a budget amendment, a bid to complete the ARPA grant for the Plum Grove Police Department to acquire new laptops, a decorum policy, a floodplain management ordinance, minutes financial reports, and reports from the police and fire departments.
After the meeting, attendees gathered in the building’s kitchen area to enjoy cake and celebrate. Kathy Walter, wife of Corporal Randall Walter, donated a vanilla cake and a sugar-free banana cake, while Lidia Martinez from Alaska’s Hope, a local animal rescue organization, provided a tres leches cake and flowers for Longoria and Palacios.
Corporal Walter praised Longoria’s appointment, stating, “Frank making chief is a good thing for the city of Plum Grove. Frank has a lot of knowledge that he can give to the officers and has also trained half the officers in the county. The officers he’s trained have gone to bigger success.”
Longoria expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue his police work, calling it a dream come true after facing personal challenges in 2018, including health issues and retirement from Liberty PD.
“With the support of family and so many friends, I was able to persevere and get back to doing the job I love and have done for half my life,” Longoria shared.
Longoria’s goals as chief include making Plum Grove the safest town in Liberty County and establishing a strong partnership with the community by providing excellent police service.
