The Odessa Police Department has named Cpl. Justin Caid as its 2017 Detective of the Year, who has served with OPD since 2012 and is a detective with the robbery/homicide unit.
While Caid said he appreciated the recognition, it’s not the reason he’s a detective.
“I appreciate getting the recognition, but we don’t go out here and do our job to get recognition,” Caid said. “We’re just trying to do the best we can for the citizens and crime victims.”
OPD Spokesman Steve LeSueur said Caid was selected as Detective of the Year for his overall accomplishments with the agency, and due to his work ethic and his willingness to go the extra mile and work late hours and extra assignments for the department.
Born and raised in Michigan, law enforcement runs in Caid’s family. His father is in law enforcement, and his uncle was killed in the line of duty in 2011. Caid said he’s wanted to be a cop since he was a little kid.
Due to a struggling economy in Michigan, Caid said OPD was one of the first agencies he saw when he searched for police departments in Texas, having not even heard of Odessa beforehand.
After successfully completing the OPD police academy, he was assigned to Patrol Services Bureau “A” Shift in 2012, staying on for two-and-a-half years and also joining the OPD SWAT team and the OPD Honor Guard during the time.
Caid was promoted to the Special Operations Bureau in 2015, assigned to the burglary unit and promoted to Corporal. During that time, Caid was also selected to represent OPD as a task force officer with the United States Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force.
In 2016, Caid was transferred to the robbery/homicide unit, where he is currently assigned, and has worked several high profile cases involving homicides, robberies and aggravated assaults.
Caid said he can often work 60 to 70 hour work weeks, and the current deficit in the amount of OPD officers can increase his work load as well, but he still takes the time to volunteer for extra assignments.
“Whenever I get a call from my supervisor, or any supervisor, I’m more than willing to help out in any way I can,” Caid said. “I like doing it. Any time we have an opportunity to help put violent criminals in jail and prevent them from causing further harm, we’ll take that opportunity.”
Caid was previously selected as a finalist for the 2016 City of Odessa Employee of the Year.
“It’s a great community and the police department has provided me with some great opportunities. I’ve been very blessed,” Caid said. “Let’s go out there and do the best job that we can do.”
