WATSONVILLE—After 33 years of service behind badge number 251, Watsonville Police Sgt. Henry Robles put in his final shift last week.
The San Diego native was surrounded by a swarm of officers, city officials, friends and family in the Squad Room for a farewell sendoff on April 6, complete with a few gifts and a large sheet cake.
“What can I say?” he asked the crowd from the podium, in his standard soft-spoken tone laced with emotion. “It’s surreal. There have been so many things and so many changes. But I can say this: It’s been a great career and I loved working in the Pajaro Valley.”
Robles said he graduated from the Police Academy in September 1990. After he completed the field training program he hit the streets as a solo patrol officer.
“I immediately graduated toward gang investigations and gang intelligence,” Robles said. “By 1992 I became a gang detective. I give great credit to the DA’s office for accepting me in this role. Being a San Diego native, I realized there was so much to learn being new to this community, which intrigued me, to say the least.”
He worked his way through the ranks that included gang investigator, a temporary acting sergeant, corporal and Master Officer.
Robles also teamed up with the FBI in a massive investigation of the Nuestra Familia. Dotted around his home are awards, recognitions, certificates of his achievements including the Exceptional Duty Medal as a Master Officer, the Combat Cross, Task Force member, Crisis negotiator and more.
Sgt. Mike Ridgway said he has worked alongside Robles for years.
“He has been a big part of the department and he has made his mark,” he said. “Henry is a fixture that will definitely be hard to replace. He is very knowledgeable.”
Robles said he has worked under four Police Chiefs, Terry Medina (who hired him), Manny Solano, David Honda and Jorge Zamora.
“It’s very difficult to put into words how to capture your emotions after 33 years without being emotional about it,” Robles said. “You live in this super charged environment for work and then, when the clock stops, you shed the uniform and you try to leave everything in your locker and rest and live a family life. It’s difficult. I surely couldn’t do this without the support of family and friends. It’s been a beautiful career; I wouldn’t change anything.”
As a tradition with retiring fire and police personnel, a dispatcher at the Santa Cruz Regional 911 center came over the radio during the farewell event with a final call of duty that included these words: “Henry served as a police officer with pride, honor and dedication. On behalf of everyone at Watsonville Police Department and at Netcom (911 Center) we thank you for your service. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors of retirement.”
