Fernando Pena Jr.

June 21, 1937 – February 12, 2020

After a life of service, Lieutenant Fernando Peña Jr. (EPPD-Ret), resident of El Paso, Texas, passed away on February 12, 2020. Fernando was born in El Paso, Texas to Fernando Peña, Sr. and Maria Luisa Campos in 1937. He graduated from Bowie High School (in 2005 he was an Honored Ex), earned a B.S. from UTEP in Biology, certified in Medical Technology from Providence Memorial Hospital and a Master’s degree in Criminal Science from Boston University.

After serving a year in the National Guard, Fernando joined the US Air Force from 1957-1962 and earned the rank of Airman Second Class. He was stationed in Keflavik, Iceland, where he was the star pulling guard for the base’s undefeated football team. After joining the El Paso Police Department in 1962, he found his calling on what he wanted to do with his life. During his 20 year career, Fernando introduced the use of breathalyzers and began the department’s first forensics lab. He was always looking for ways to make the EPPD better. He went above and beyond as a patrolman to ensure that the people he interacted with were safe and sound at the end of the day. He also focused his attention on making things better for the officers that joined the PD in the years to come. He met Grace in downtown El Paso where she worked. Two years later on October 3, 1966 they married. In 1979, he graduated from the FBI National Academy. During the late 80s, he was elected to two terms as the Ysleta ISD School Board, where he served as Board President. He also served on the boards of the El Paso Airport and Texas Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande. After retiring from the El Paso Police Department in 1982, Fernando joined the Department of Public Safety in their crime lab. He was eventually promoted to supervisor of the Criminology Lab in Corpus Christi. He and Grace relocated and lived there for six years. Fernando returned to El Paso when he became the lab supervisor for the El Paso DPS lab where he remained until retirement in 2002. Upon returning to El Paso, Fernando became Board Chair of the Southwest Association of Forensic Scientists (an organization he had been a part of for many years prior) from 1998 to 2000.

In addition to his law enforcement and public service careers, Fernando was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a proud grandparent who enjoyed reading and working crossword puzzles. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Graciela; son Fernando Peña III; son Jaime Armando Peña and wife Holly; daughter Leticia Campbell; grandchildren Nathan, Christopher, Lorna, James; and great-grandchild Soren.

He is also survived by his sister Enriqueta Peña, his brothers Hector Peña and Jaime de la Peña along with many nieces and nephews.

The viewing will be on Thursday, February 27th at Crestview Funeral Home located 1462 N. Zaragoza from 5pm – 9pm. The Rosary will begin at 7pm. Funeral services will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in El Paso on Friday, February 28th at 12 noon. Burial will follow at Restlawn Cemetery at 8700 Dyer Street in El Paso, Texas with El Paso Police Department honors.