December 2, 2011 - A United States Army soldier made a special surprise appearanceto pin badges on two newly sworn-in Houston police officers at a Houston Police Deparment cadet graduation on Thursday (Dec. 1).

U. S. Army Sergeant First Class Carlos R. Mena, father of HPD cadets (now officers) Marlon and Karla Mena, was deployed to Afghanistan and surprised them by coming to the ceremony and pinning their badges on both of them.

Photos of this special moment are attached to this news release.

Sergeant First Class Mena, a Combat Medic, was granted leave specifically for the graduation and must return to his duties within a week. Officers Karla and Marlon Mena were two of the 72 men and women of HPD Cadet Class #211 who graduated from the HPD Training Academy in last night's ceremony, hosted by Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Police Chief Charles A. McClelland, Jr. and the HPD Command Staff.