El Paso ISD Police Services has recently announced that Lt. Denby "Donica" Pedregon has distinguished herself as a pillar of strength and leadership within the community. According to El Paso ISD, Pedregon, who has been with the department since 2014, achieved the historic ranks of first female sergeant in 2021 and then ascended to become the department’s first female lieutenant in 2024. Her ascendancy is more than just trailblazing; it's emblematic of the tireless drive to continually grow and serve with distinction.
"It has been a great honor," Pedregon told El Paso ISD. Despite the challenges faced, her dedication to the mission has been unwavering: to inspire and mentor, to never stop growing, and to ensure that others can see her footsteps as a path they might endeavor to follow. Her story is one of perseverance and helps paint a picture of the possibilities within a law enforcement career, specifically within the educational sphere.
The trajectory of Lt. Pedregon’s career reflects a marriage between rigorous police work and nurturing community engagement. Before her tenure with the El Paso ISD Police, she served in the U.S. Army and worked with the El Paso Police Department and the Anthony Police Department. Her legacy continues to unfold as she engages with students on campus, fostering a rapport that lasts beyond their schooling years. "I’ve even had students come back years later to tell me how I helped them. That’s what keeps me going — being here for them," Pedregon said in the interview with El Paso ISD.
In addition to her duties, Pedregon also serves as a field training officer and part-time instructor at the El Paso Community College Law Enforcement Academy. She firmly believes in the value of leading by example and the importance of education. "There’s always something new to learn," Pedregon mentioned, recognizing the dual aspect of teaching as a way to not only impart knowledge but to continuously evolve as a professional within the field of law enforcement.
