[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 146 (Friday, August 13, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF TUPELO POLICE CHIEF BART AGUIRRE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 13, 2021

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
retirement of Tupelo Police Chief Bart Aguirre.
  Chief Aguirre has devoted himself to the city of Tupelo, faithfully 
serving and protecting the citizens for 36 years. Chief Aguirre 
answered the call to serve as a member of law enforcement by first 
attending the University of Mississippi where he earned a bachelor's 
degree in Legal Systems Administration. Later, Chief Aguirre earned a 
master's degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Alabama.
  Prior to becoming a Tupelo Police Officer, Chief Aguirre aspired to 
work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a forensics expert, 
specializing in firearms. In 1985, TPD Chief Ed Crider hired Chief 
Aguirre to serve in the Patrol Division. Chief Aguirre said he fell in 
love with TPD and the rest is history.
  During his successful career, Chief Aguirre worked his way up from a 
patrolman to the Chief of Detectives. In 2013, he was named the Chief 
of Police by Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton.
  During his career with the TPD, Chief Aquirre served on an F-B-I task 
force, carrying out a 4-year mission titled, ``Operation Secondhand 
Smoke.'' Chief Aguirre and his fellow task force members uncovered a 
scheme to transport stolen tobacco products across state lines. Their 
investigative work led to the multiple arrests and to the seizure of 
property. The seized land is where the new $10-million-dollar Tupelo 
Police Department was built. Chief Aguirre is proud of the instrumental 
role he played on the task force and the ultimate result of their hard 
work--a new police department.
  Chief Aguirre is the son of Conrado and Joan Aguirre. The family of 
five moved to Tupelo in 1962. His father worked as a salesman for a 
meat processing company that sold products to restaurants and 
supermarkets, Conrado was the owner of a popular restaurant called the 
Gaslight Inn. Later, he opened another restaurant called Gloster 205. 
Chief Aguirre grew up working in the restaurants while contemplating a 
future career in law enforcement.
  In 1997, Chief Aguirre married his wife, Patty. They have three 
children: Shane Aguirre; Jonathan Aguirre (Kirsten); and Arial Aguirre-
Waldrop (Brent). They have five grandchildren: Gryder Aguirre; Grant 
Aguirre; Brooks Waldrop; Beyla Waldrop; and Baron Waldrop.
  Upon retirement, Chief Aguirre said he and his wife plan to spend 
more time with their children and grandchildren and travel.
  We wish Chief Aguirre and his family many more happy years together. 
We are grateful for the impact of men like Chief Aguirre. I commend him 
for his devotion to family, the citizens of Tupelo, and to our great 
Nation.

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