By Nahum Sotelo
NewsWest 9
HOWARD COUNTY - The Howard County Sheriff's Office and the Big Spring Police Department broke ground on their new joint law enforcement center. That's where officers and one family honored a fallen officer.
Officials broke ground on the $2.8 million dollar Troy M. Hogue Law Enforcement Center in Big Spring.
The center was named after Trooper Troy Hogue who was shot and killed on duty.
On Tuesday, officers and family members honored the officer who spent 15 years serving in Howard County.
The addition to the Howard County Jail will house both the police and sheriff's department.
By combining both departments into one place, not only will they improve their services but will also save money.
In the new 20,000 square foot center, both departments will be sharing resources.
"We have been working together since I have taken office. I think we have seen the impact of that and it's just going to get better now. We will be across the hall instead of being down the street from each other," Howard County Sheriff, Stan Parker, said.
The police department was built in the 1950's but Chief Lonnie Smith says they've outgrown it.
Once the new facility is built, the old police department will be converted into a storage building for city records and the old sheriff's office will become a municipal court.
The Troy M. Hogue Law Enforcement Center is expected to open their doors in August.
