Alex Femenia
(Football, 1972)
This 1972 DHS graduate was a
member of the first Danbury Pop Warner football team, the PAL Panthers,
2012 Hall of Fame inductee, Alex Femenia. In his senior season, Alex
rushed for 812 yards and threw 12 touchdown passes. The DHS football
team was 8-1 his senior year, and he holds two school records: the
longest punt return for a touchdown and the longest fumble recovery for a
touchdown. As a defensive back, Alex was nicknamed “the thief” because
of his outstanding skills. Aside from his stellar football career, Alex
was also a four year varsity letterman in basketball. Known for his
defensive skills, Alex ran the point for Coach Harry Hyra. While at
Danbury High, Alex received many honors. In football he was All-Area,
All-Fairfield County, and All-State. A senior football tri-captain, Alex
was the 1972 Kiwanis Club MVP in football. The football area scoring
champion his senior year, Alex was selected to play in the high school
Nutmeg Bowl. In basketball, Alex was first team All-Area in 1970, 1971
and 1972. After his graduation from Danbury High School, he went on to
play defensive back at Bowling Green State University in Ohio where he
earned a business degree. After college, Alex had a 30 year career with
the Phoenix Police Department, serving ten years as a homicide
detective. He was the lead detective in 105 homicide investigations and
was awarded the Most Outstanding Investigator in 2006. That year he was
credited for apprehending the ‘Baseline Serial Killer’ and was honored
with the Governor of Arizona Award. In his law enforcement career, Alex
was also the recipient of 125 commendations and a Lifesaving Medal.