ECISD lieutenant nets recognition for Odessa Under 40

Ector County ISD police Lt. Terry Upchurch has been selected as one of Odessa Young Professionals’ Odessa Under 40 — something that came as a surprise to him.

Upchurch wasn’t familiar with YPO, but he’s found that it appeals to him.

“I think showing credit where credit’s due for these young citizens in Odessa … it’s very important. It impacts a lot of people,” he said.

The YPO awards dinner and gala will be held at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center at 6 p.m. June 22.

Upchurch started the Operation Blue Santa program that provides Christmas presents to families in Odessa.

“It’s just something I enjoy. It wasn’t anything I created to bring a spotlight on myself. It was just something I want to do for the citizens because it’s things I enjoy. I’m a very humble person,” Upchurch said.

He added that he’s always liked helping people that need help through law enforcement.

“It’s not just all about arresting bad guys and dealing with the negative … I want to do things to change the outlook on law enforcement, especially nowadays. I think programs like Operation Blue Santa with this department has helped bridge that gap between the citizens and law enforcement. That’s kind of my goal is to change the outlook on the way people see us,” Upchurch said.

This was the fourth year of Blue Santa.

Upchurch went to his department command staff and proposed the idea because no one in Ector County was doing it. He got the Odessa Student Crime Stoppers involved as well.

“They have a lot of good connections within the community that was able to really help build the program up to where it is now. The connections, the businesses, that fully support us in the program,” Upchurch said.

Last year was their biggest year. With the help of the community, they were able to support 14 families.

“We hope it continues to grow. I’ve told numerous people time and time again that you know I’m just a small stake in this. The big support comes from the community. This wouldn’t be possible without the citizens, the businesses, organizations and Ector County that have come forth and donated. Their generosity is what’s made this program so successful and I want them to know that they receive the credit for this. I was just a small stake of getting this started and going out there and talking to people, shaking hands,” Upchurch said.

Growing up, Upchurch said he had very supportive parents. Christmas was his favorite holiday.

“My mom passed away in 2015 with cancer and that was kind of a memory I wanted to keep going because Christmas to her was everything. … That was her joy. The gifts that she would give us, the enjoyment she would have and it just felt like I needed to continue that. It was something I kind of did for my mom,” he said.

A couple of years later, he decided he wanted to spread that joy to families who may not have the income to enjoy Christmas.

“That was kind of the big push for me was knowing what I grew up with, I want other kids to experience that. I want other families to enjoy having Christmas and have gifts to open on Christmas,” Upchurch said.

He said the list of honorees YPO has chosen is great.

“There’s another female officer that I know from the Odessa Police Department that I saw was nominated as well. She and I have worked together. She’s still there at Odessa PD. She’s done a lot of good for that department. She’s moved up and I fully support everything she’s done for Odessa PD. … I know I was glad to see that she was nominated as well,” Upchurch said.

Upchurch is going into his 13th year in law enforcement. A lot of family history was what made him decide to go into the field.

He was with OPD before joining the ECISD police.

“My dad, he’s also retired from the Department of Homeland Security. He was a criminal investigator. I grew up seeing and knowing law enforcement. When I was about 15 was when my brother became a police officer. It’s all I ever knew. It’s just something I wanted to experience and now that I’m in it and have experienced different fields — everything from patrol to canine to criminal investigations to now doing administration Emergency Management — there’s never a dull moment. I like seeing different aspects of department organization. I wouldn’t change anything I’m doing today. I love it,” Upchurch said.

He is from Balmorhea.

“That’s where my dad retired to … down from the state park there. … That’s where we go to get away from all the city and city life and go somewhere quiet,” Upchurch said.

In his current position, Upchurch handles the canine unit, oversees their daily training, their monthly required training and certifications in San Antonio.

The department now has 46 officers.

“It’s just the camaraderie that I really enjoy coming to work with every day and just small-talking with officers, asking how their weekend was. They go fishing, hunting, barbecuing. I’m big into barbecue and fishing and hunting. So it’s hey, would you cook over this weekend? I smoked brisket for 12 hours. It’s just that small talk that I like coming to work and having that relationship with everybody here. That’s nice,” Upchurch said.

He and his wife, Kelby, have a son, Wyatt. Kelby is a water quality supervisor/health inspector for Ector County.

“He’s our cool dude, let me put it that way,” Upchurch said.

Board member and Chairwoman of Odessa Under 40 Jessica Gore said Upchurch is a student-centered servant leader.

“He uses his badge as a source of pride to increase student safety and really ensure that every decision we’re making in the organization, whether proactively or reactively with conflict or controversy, that students are always at the forefront,” Gore said.

“From the community lens, every year I’m amazed at the nominees and honorees in the community. He is one of the well-deserving nominees for the class of 2024,” Gore said.

Because of his leadership within ECISD, Upchurch creates conditions where students are safe to thrive and learn.

“The ripple effects of that ensure our entire community is better every single day,” Gore said.

She noted that this is the seventh annual gala and fundraiser and they have more nominations year over year.

Sponsorships and tables are still available. Contact Yanni Jones at the Odessa Chamber of Commerce to secure your spot.