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Mayor proclaims March 30, 2026 as Joyce Bender Day honoring 22 years of service
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Summary
Mayor Jane Houston honored Officer Joyce Bender with a proclamation marking her retirement and celebrating her service, specialized roles, awards and founding of a law-enforcement therapy canine program; the mayor called on residents to recognize her contributions.
Mayor Jane Houston proclaimed March 30, 2026, as Joyce Bender Day, honoring Officer Joyce Bender for more than two decades of service to the City of San Marcos and its residents.
The proclamation, read aloud by Mayor Houston, said Bender began her law-enforcement career on June 7, 2004, and has served in multiple specialized roles, including the collision investigation team, drone team, crisis negotiation team, mental-health officer and therapy canine handler. The mayor’s statement noted multiple commendations across Bender’s career and credited her with establishing what the proclamation described as the first law-enforcement therapy canine program in Texas.
The mayor called on city residents to recognize Bender’s contributions as she retires and moves to Arkansas. A representative speaking on behalf of the department praised Bender’s “compassionate caring for the community” and her work on mental-health issues and crisis negotiations.
The proclamation said the city is grateful for Bender’s ‘‘professionalism and adaptability’’ during a period of department growth and extended best wishes for her retirement.
