Saying Goodbye - Detective Mario Baeza
After 27 years, OPD Detective Mario Baeza is officially retired. He has been an important member of the Odessa Police Department since October 1995. He started in Patrol, then worked in Property investigations, Persons investigations, and Homicide investigations. The majority of his time has been in OPD's Children's Crime Unit.

"It's been a long time coming. I'd like to thank my Lord for getting to this point. I've worked with a lot of good people and a lot of great partners, and I'm going to take that with me," Said Detective Baeza. He also thanked his father for instilling in him a good work ethic.

It was an emotional goodbye as everyone saw him as a mentor. "There wasn't a guy that I looked up to more than Mario. The knowledge that he passed onto everyone was amazing," Said Chief Doporto. It is agreed that he is a positive, hardworking man.

We couldn't let him leave without showing him tokens of appreciation. "If anyone turns out to be like Mario Baeza, they are a great human being. This guy's heart has always been in the right place," Said OPD's Chief Gerke. He stated that Detective Baeza put a lot of himself into the job, and appreciates what he has done for the department and the community.

Thank you for your service and all that you have done to help others, Detective Mario Baeza. You will be greatly missed.