Yesterday, we honored the retirement of Chief Jerry Wright after 33 years of service and Detective Donna Wright with 23 years of service, marking the close of a remarkable journey with the Pasadena Police Department.
Chief Wright, a Pasadena native, began his journey as a dispatcher at just 19. Rising through every rank over 33 years, he never lost his heart for service or his commitment to community. From patrol and investigations to leading the department as Chief, his focus remained clear: reduce crime, build trust, and take care of the officers who serve. Under his leadership, morale soared, innovation thrived, and lives of many were changed for the better.
Detective Donna Wright’s public service journey began as a paramedic, where she answered critical medical calls with courage and compassion for nearly 12 years. Her path led her to Pasadena PD in 2002, and in 2005 she proudly became a Pasadena Police Officer. Donna served for seven years on Evening Shift Patrol where she honed her investigative skills and developed a passion for serving crime victims, which led her to a six year journey in the Violent Crimes Division. Detective Wright found a new meaning and purpose serving victims and their families during some of the most unimaginably difficult times of their lives. For the last seven years, Detective Wright served in the Financial Crimes Division investigating one of the fastest growing crimes in our nation. She gave a voice to countless fraud victims and brought to justice those who preyed upon them, not only in Pasadena, but across the country. And even with all of that, her insatiable dedication to service did not stop there—she was also a Crisis Negotiator, TCOLE Instructor, and Master Peace Officer.
Donna and Jerry’s stories are individually powerful—but together, they represent a legacy of dedication, teamwork, and integrity. Chief Wright and Detective Donna Wright first and foremost served their community by relentlessly pursuing justice for victims. This dynamic duo filed Harris County criminal charges on well over a thousand suspects for the most serious offenses, from crimes against children to serial aggravated robberies to homicides. They’ve both served with honor and humility, and inspired countless individuals every step of the way.
As they step into this next chapter side by side, we wish them nothing but peaceful mornings, well-earned rest, and new adventures with their family.
Thank you, Chief Wright and Detective Wright, for the extraordinary service you so freely gave to the Pasadena Police Department.
