BELL COUNTY, Texas — Three Central Texas criminal detectives were honored with a prestigious award on Monday.
During the Bell County Commissioners Meeting, District Attorney Henry Garza and District Attorney-Elect Stephanie Newell presented the Willroy Pitrucha Award, an award that is rarely handed out.
The recipients of the award were Bell County Sheriff's Investigator Corey Powell, Temple Police Department Corporal Ashley Cunningham and Killeen Police Department Detective Amanda Holtzclaw.
Garza spoke about their outstanding efforts, highlighting their exceptional skill in criminal investigations and their dedication to working alongside his office to secure convictions.
"Every single one of these investigators I have know, I have watched, I have worked with over time and I can tell you that they are within every bit of the work ethic, the integrity, the consistency and the dedication to each of the departments here," said Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza.
The three recipients also had a hand in the Cedric Marks case, which resulted in a conviction and death penalty.
"I am honored... to accept this for the victims because that's who I work for," Powell said.
"My successes are not just mine, they are the department's, they are our towns, my family's... so I couldn't do this, none of us could do this without some type of support system so every little bit of encouragement matters," Cunningham said.
"As I said, I do work crime against children so I am very passionate about giving a voice to those who can't protect themselves or can't speak for themselves and what I have been living by since I have been in the Special Victims Unit is we can't change what happened, but we can change what happens next," Holtzclaw said.
The award is named after Willroy Pitrucha, a detective with the Temple Police Department who retired after more than 30 years of service.