Police Capt. Robert Hernandez Retires After 35 Year Career

Captain Robert Hernandez, a veteran of the Georgetown Police Department and currently the longest-tenured City employee, retires this week after a 35-year career.

When Hernandez started in 1974, he was one of five officers in the Georgetown Police Department. He was the first Hispanic officer on the force. At the time, the department was located in a small building at 614 Main Street. Hernandez said that emergency calls to the department were handled by one dispatcher. Part of his duties back then were to chalk the tires and write parking tickets for cars on the Square. He also worked a high-profile investigation of a student who was killed and helped to quickly find the suspect, who was tried and convicted.

Hernandez became a lieutenant in 1986. “Even though he was sergeant or lieutenant, he rotated his shift and he’d work nights just like the rest of us,” says Lt. Jerry Pate, who has worked with Hernandez since 1981.

“He was always a stickler on the uniforms,” added Pate. “He expected us to look professional. He’d look down and if you didn’t have your boots polished, he would tell you to go get them polished.”

Hernandez made the rank of captain in 2001. He also is a certified master peace officer.

Detective Sgt. Bill Pascoe, who has worked with Hernandez for more than 25 years, says, “He is a very honorable person of his word. He’d show you how to do something, and then expect you to go forth and do it.”

Bob Lilly and Capt. Robert Hernandez

Interim Police Chief Brent Schacherl says Hernandez has worked in every aspect of police work, and that fairness and honesty are his trademarks. “He has done just about everything there is to be done in the department. His reputation for being strict, but fair is well-known.”

When he isn’t working, Hernandez enjoys hosting poker games at his house and is a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys pro football team. In fact, he is such a Cowboys fan that Pate arranged a special guest for his retirement party.

Bob Lilly, who played with the Dallas Cowboys from 1961 to 1974 and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, made a surprise appearance at the event on Tuesday. Lilly and his wife live in Sun City in Georgetown.

Hernandez says his retirement plans include staying busy at home and staying active.