John Alfred Orozco

John was born to Miguel (Mike) and Clementine (Tina) Orozco on October 30, 1956 in Bryan, Texas where he grew up with his younger sister Michelle. John graduated from Bryan High School in 1975. He was most proud to excel in athletics, which ironically led to his lifelong passion of music and guitar after a shoulder injury forced him to find other hobbies. Strumming on a guitar his dad bought him to pass the time, he taught himself to play by ear and spent the rest of his life playing, sharing, and loving music.  He toured with multiple bands, helped build the College Station “Blue Heat” D.A.R.E. band, played in almost every honky-tonk in Bryan/College Station, and even cut a record on Mad Yak record label in 1977 with the Sweetbriar Band. John’s claim to fame was that he was so versatile, he could play any instrument “except brass and woodwinds.”

Sparked by inspiration to follow in the steps of his father Mike, the first Hispanic Lieutenant with the Bryan Police Department, John joined the College Station Police Department in 1979 and proudly served 20 years as a patrolman, detective, and member of the SWAT team and SORT.  Throughout his life, John studied martial arts and brought his training into his police work, supporting the training of fellow officers in self-defense tactics and developing physical training (PT) programs.  Early and most notably in his policing career, John responded to a routine patrol call in which his future wife Debi answered Officer Orozco’s knock at the front door. They married 2 years later, and as John was fond of saying, “the rest is history” as they have been married for 41 years.

John fulfilled a lifelong mission to return to college, after foregoing in his early years to pursue his music career and completed his remaining coursework to graduate from Sam Houston State University in 2004 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice.

After obtaining his degree and following his retirement from the CSPD, John leveraged his law enforcement experience and served 11 years with Texas A&M’s TEEX (Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services) as a lead instructor specializing in training state & local government agencies in conducting risk assessments to identify and reduce vulnerabilities. He was immensely proud of the experiences he gained in his travels with TEEX and remained close with many of the people he met there even after his retirement in 2015. Blending his passion for music and service, John even played in a TEEX band in 2010 in one of his favorite shows.

John loved his family and was particularly close to his sister Michelle throughout his life. He taught her how to play guitar and inspired her through his career with the Police Department to obtain a degree in Criminal Justice, followed by a career in Law Enforcement with the Federal Government. John was always close with his father and they enjoyed sharing stories about their respective time on the police force. He always enjoyed spending time with his mother who was always fully and lovingly behind him in whatever he chose to pursue in life.

John and Debi have 2 children who each have beautiful families of their own, which John loved spending time with: Bear (40) who lives in San Antonio with his wife Lauren and their son Jase (10), and Davis (36) who lives in College Station with his wife Rosa and their two sons, Jaxon (5) and Miles (2).

John was the consummate entertainer, and nothing brought him more joy than hosting friends and family at his home.  John took pride in always having everything you would need in any situation, from zip ties or a guitar string winder, to a propane blow torch and always reminded us that “you can do anything when you have the right equipment.”  John’s favorite place on this earth was Mi Tierra (family property in Robertson County that was purchased by his father in the early 90’s) where he hosted numerous 4^th of July parties, graduations, birthdays, and family get togethers. He spent long weekend days on the tractor mowing the 15 acres; but he was most at peace when he had all his children, grandchildren, family, and friends around him.

John was famous for surprises, took joy in arranging experiences for those he loved, and would spare no expense to do so.  If you lost your headphones, you could expect two brand new pair on your doorstep the next day – one replacement and one to ensure you were never without again!  He also had an uncanny ability to motivate and inspire.  No matter who you were, he could light a fire and push you to believe that you could conquer anything.  He supported everyone in their pursuits and loved attending family events, near and far.

Through his various roles, John was always recognized for his professionalism, humor, passion, and service.  Most of all, John is most remembered for his commitment to leadership.  He was always the one to take the lead, take control of situations, and provide structure for a path forward.  Emblematically, he took pride in being the “point man” in SWAT as the first one through the door and felt it was his duty to serve this role so others wouldn’t have to. John was famous for his quotes, both intentional and unintentional, and his quips will be missed dearly.  Each morning those who knew him will always remember the cheery greeting we could always count on and will carry forward: “Good Golden Morning!”

John is survived by his wife, Debi; son Brannon (Bear), wife Lauren and son Jase of San Antonio, TX; son Davis, wife Rosa and sons Jaxon and Miles of College Station, TX; father Miguel and mother Clementine of Tampa, FL, sister Michelle and husband Jose Remon of Tampa, FL, niece Natalie Remon-Simpson and husband Garrett of Tampa, FL, nephew Michael Remon and wife Arianne of Orlando, FL, and many cousins that will miss him dearly.

It was John’s wish and commitment to his family that in lieu of flowers, he wished donations be made to continue to support his grandson Jaxon’s education, resources and additional supportive services related to autism.

You may make donations using the following QR code: See below in Photo Gallery