Copperas Cove Police Department promotes Nace to Captain

By PAMELA GRANT

Cove Leader-Press

After more than 20 years serving with the Copperas Cove Police Department, Les Nace received the honor of being promoted to Captain.

Nace was surrounded by fellow officers, friends, and family at the Police Department Community Room as he was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain. The promotion ceremony took place at 5 p.m. Friday.

Nace began his career in 1999 as a patrol officer. From there he served in a variety of positions including as a detective in the criminal investigation’s division, sergeant, and lieutenant. He has experience training personnel, criminal investigations, teaching firearms, and a lot more. 

Police Chief Eddie Wilson said that between the four candidates for the position, they had over 80 years of experience, all of which was with the Copperas Cove Police Department. By comparison, he currently has 24 patrol officers with a combined total of 42 years of experience.

Chief Wilson said that deciding who to promote was a tough choice and any one of the candidates would have done a great job.

Ultimately Nace was chosen for the position, and his fellow officers have no doubts that Captain Nace will do great things with his position.

“He is truly a selfless person,” said Chief Wilson. “He’s extremely loyal, a hard worker…he’s just a genuinely good person.”

Chief Wilson said that Captain Nace had a bit of an edge with his experience in a variety of areas and described him as a selfless servant leader.

“For the chief to put his faith in me is extremely humbling,” said Nace. “I’m truly honored to receive this position.”

Captain Nace said that he looks forward to using his position to better serve the community and his fellow officers. He said that his position as a patrol captain means that he is entrusted with running the entire patrol division which is the largest section of their police department. Captain Nace described his job as teaching the lieutenants to take care of the officers who take care of the community.

One of the things he looks forward to the most is helping to guide the new officers. Captain Nace talked about how the officers are all public servants whose job it is to protect and serve. He hopes to help instill that passion in his fellow officers and remind them the importance of why they are continuing to serve and what it means to be a cop.

“I’m honored to continue to serve the city and the great citizens of our community,” said Captain Nace. “I’ve always lived and worked in Copperas Cove and I truly love the community and this department, so for me to be able to continue to serve in this capacity is an honor. I look forward to it.”