Alton Police Chief Jonathan B. Flores was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame with a Distinguished Service Award on Monday alongside eight other inductees.
The National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame, founded by Megan Stockburger and Adam Davenport in 2017, was created to spotlight police officers who embody the best in the service.
According to a press release, the Hall of Fame received nominees from over 39 states and all inductees are to be recognized with an inauguration dinner held in Ohio in late March.
“It’s amazing anytime that you’re recognized for your service and commitment to the law enforcement profession,” Flores said. “You don’t do these things for any kind of accolades, you do it to make an impact in the community and that’s what I focus on.”
Flores wasn’t sure how he managed to be inducted into the hall of fame or how nominees were judged, but he understands that he’s done plenty to impact his department and the community he serves in the last five years he’s been chief.
Upon learning of his induction, Flores reflected on the people in his life who’ve helped forge his path in law enforcement.
“I think about Chief Victor Rodriguez from McAllen PD who’s my first chief of police and his example and him being the reason I wanted to be a chief of police in the first place,” Flores said. “I think of my first communications supervisor, dispatcher Felipe Martinez and the things that he did to mold me and shape me into the leader I am today, and then my chief of police when I was a patrolman Tony Garza in the city of San Juan.
“Definitely individuals that shaped the early part of my career and who I am as a leader.”
Flores also thanked his first city manager, Jorge Arcaute, and the current Alton city manager, Jeff Underwood, for teaching him their style of leadership which allowed him the autonomy to be impactful and successful.
Though he’s unsure of the process, Flores believes he earned the award after the judges saw his body of work. He said he received a call from the committee who told him they were impressed with the amount of work he’s accomplished in a short amount of time.
Recently, Flores and his department implemented a three-pronged mental health program where they can have their officers take care of their mental health needs, and similar one called Check Up from the Neck Up, which involves a partnership with Piña & Acosta Psychological Services in order for first responders to get an annual check up at no charge.
“We’ve created a lot of sustainable and impactful community programs here in the last five years,” Flores said.
When Flores arrived at Alton, they implemented the National Night Out program, Light the Night and the Take Me Home program, which helps people taking care of those with cognitive disabilities, like dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Flores added that the city has also made technological advancements and is in the process of adding city-wide surveillance cameras at every intersection, which he said is due to it bringing in over $2.4 million in grant funding since 2018.
Those are only a few of the programs Flores has helped implement internally in the police department and the city.
Flores thanked city officials and the community he serves because without them, there would be no reason to serve, he said.
“I want to say thank you to Jeff Underwood and Jorge Arcaute,” Flores said. “These individuals have done a great job through their mentorship with me and them guiding me along the way over the last five years, and really just showing me what a shining example of true serving leadership is.”
Flores also thanked his assistant chief, Mark Perez, because he always looks out for him, takes care of him and for being a strong second-in-command who helps him in the day-to-day.
